Top 10 Actresses Who Inspired the Look of a Disney Princess

This is madding. I know I've seen that face before. Welcome to Miss Mojo. And today we're counting down our picks for stars whose likenesses were used as inspiration for a Disney princess's appearance. Your Imperial Highness Bomb Mulan #10 Anika Noni Rose Tiana. I see so many of my expressions up there, and it's so funny to me when I can recognize myself like that. Coming from a theatrical background, Anika Noni Rose became widely known to film going audiences with the movie adaptation of Dreamgirls. Years later, that talent as a singer and actress would allow her to lend her voice to Disney's first African American Princess, Tiana in The Princess and the Frog. A Princess you just kissed yourself. A Princess and I'm about to do it again. Of course, her voice wasn't the only thing that Rose lent to the character Anika Noni. Rose so strikingly resembles her character right down to the dimples, which makes us want her cast in a live action adaptation all the more. I certainly didn't know that she was going to look that much like me, and there are times I think in one of these posters, like the eyebrows up that is so completely my face, it's hysterical to me #9 Lily Cole Merida. You're supposed to be immortal, remember? Honestly, it's going to be OK, Dad. How can you understand you're a child? The Scottish Princess from Disney Pixar's 2012 outing, Brave, possessed an absolutely iconic look with her striking shock of vibrant red hair. That unique mane was so integral to the character design that Pixar actually created a new software program in order to animate it realistically. We realized we needed something to preserve the structure of the curl but not impede the overall motion of the hair. Kind of like digital Hairspray. Sorry. The idea for her hair, along with her overall look, was largely inspired by trendsetting model and actress Lily Cole, perhaps best known for her starring role in the Terry Gilliam film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. God's sakes, Dad, come on, he's taking the easy way out. Cole confirmed that she met with Braves art director Tia Crowder, who based the fiery princess's look off her. In addition to the princess's hair, freckles and blue eyes, even her face, shape, teeth and nose are reminiscent of Cole's features. I think it really did everything. The hands, the neck, the head, the back, the hair, etcetera. It was a really full on process, but quite extraordinary to see #8 Jean Harlow Snow White. It's a girl. She's body Purdy. She's beautiful, just like a the first ever Disney Princess was renowned for being the fairest in all the land, so it shouldn't come as a shock that a number of Fair Hollywood starlets helped inspire her look. Chief among those was Jean Harlow, who, despite playing roles different from the wholesome Princess in demeanor, was a dead ringer for the character. How you coming, kitten? I've told you a million times not to talk to me when I'm doing my lashes. Harlow's trademark thin eyebrows, bolds, Cupid bow, red lips and even hairstyle are evident in Snow White's design. Both were young objects of desire, albeit different kinds of desire. Harlow was a sex symbol in the 1930s. However, her career was cut tragically short when she died the same year Snow White was released at just 26 years old. Must you keep your eyes on me all the time? It's all in the line of duty and I love my work. Number 7, Grace Kelly. Cinderella, The Prince. I swears he'll bury none but the girl who fits this slipper. We know for sure that actress Helene Stanley helped to inspire a number of Disney princesses, including Cinderella, as Stanley served as the live action model for her. Some speculate, however, that Grace Kelly also inspired the princess's look. Oh please, If you'll excuse me, I'll see if it's keeping Mama. My mom is so eager to see you. While she had not yet risen to the heights that she would be known for later in life, Grace Kelly was already a model and Broadway star when Cinderella released in 1950. Even more than her blonde locks, Kelly's fashion sense is speculated to have had an impact on Cinderella's ball gown. It's a beautiful dress. Funnily enough, the character's ascent to royalty is only rivaled by Kelly's own, who would transform from Broadway star to Hollywood a Lister to eventually the Princess of Monaco. Grace Kelly, motion picture star, has played her greatest real life, starring role as Princess Gracia Patricia of Monaco. For her, it is not the story's end, but the beginning #6 Irene Bedard, Pocahontas. The more they learned, the more Pocahontas's story captivated the imaginations of the Disney film makers. But to make the characters completely believable, they had to find the right actors to provide the characters voices. Despite being the only Disney Princess based on an actual person, the animated version of Pocahontas bears little physical resemblance to the historical figure. She does, however, take her look from another real person closely linked to the character her voice actress Irene Bedard. When I see you wear that necklace, you look just like your mother. With Bedard primarily working in live action, it's no surprise that her physicality and general look were present in the final product. That live action work has stretched across decades, from the leading role in Smoke Signals to Netflix's newest avatar, The Last Airbender. She even appeared in Terrence Malick's The New World, this time playing Pocahontas's mother. There's something about her spirit in my life, you know what I mean? So I guess in that way it's it has had that surreal quality #5, Jennifer Connelly, Jasmine. She's got these eyes that just and this hair wow. And her smile. During the late 1980s and early 90s, Jennifer Connelly had become known for being one of the most stunningly beautiful and talented upcoming actresses in Hollywood. When Mark Henn began designing Jasmine, who was meant to be as lovely as she was headstrong, he looked to at least three sources, a fine prize for any Prince to marry. Those were his sister, some mysterious person he saw at a theme park, and of course, Connolly, whose facial structure, most notably her eyebrows, were apparent in The Princess of Agraba. Where you going ahead like that? Both Jasmine and her muse Connolly would continue their fame in the decades that followed. While Jasmine has gone on to be one of Disney's most beloved princesses, Connolly would move into even more powerful roles, taking home an Academy Award for her role in A Beautiful Mind. It's Life, John. Activities available just had meaning #4, Ming, Nawen, Mulan. Maybe what I really wanted was to prove I could do things right, so when I looked in the mirror, I'd see someone worthwhile. Disney didn't need to look far when finding someone to model Mulan after. In addition to her voice work, Ming Na Wen has been a prolific live action actor both before and after being cast as the Girl Who Saved China. In the book Disney Princesses Beyond the Tiara, it was revealed that Mark Hen, lead animator of Mulan and most of the princesses in the Disney Renaissance, emulated her voice performer. I'm here. It isn't so much sitting there and sketching as much as I enjoyed observing what Ming Na does. While he would animate Mulan and her alter ego Ping slightly differently, both drew from Wen's personality and physicality. It's no wonder then, that more than most voice actors, she's become intrinsically linked to the Princess. I had no idea that it would have that kind of impact. It just goes to show you that it doesn't matter if it's an animation, but if the story is great #3 Natalie Wood Belle. I'm pretty. I'm a pretty girl, Mama. As she had done with a number of other princesses in the 80s and 90s, Sherri Stoner lent her acting to serve as an animation reference model for Belle. While many of Stoner's mannerisms were put into the character, animators also looked at a number of famous actresses in order to design the bookish beauty's appearance. The likes of Grace Kelly, Vivian Lee, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and perhaps more than any others, Natalie Wood influenced Belle's features. See the pretty girl and not mirror there? Who can that attractive girl be? Such a pretty face, such a pretty dress, such a pretty smile, such a pretty me? After initial designs, animators sought to make Belle appear quote less perfect while still being the titular beauty of the film. Tail as old as time, song as old as rhyme, Beauty and the beast. With Wood being considered a stunning actress but who never necessarily became a fashionista or sex symbol, it's easy to see why she was chosen to inform Belle's whole Girl next door vibe. I wonder why I didn't see it there before #2 Alyssa Milano Ariel. Oh no, I can't believe it. How'd you know I was here? I have my ways. Known first and foremost for her vibrant red hair, it may come as a surprise that Princess Ariel drew inspiration from a famous brunette at the time of Ariel's conception, Teen Celeb of the 80s Alyssa Milano was starring on the popular sitcom Who's The Boss? You're kidding. Her expressive face and mannerisms, as well as her characters personality were utilized to bring the quirky mermaid to life, along with some impressive live model work from Sherri Stoner. You were doing this. Or if you would, like, bite your lip at a different time and you're thinking they would just light up. At the time, Milano had no idea that she had inspired such a popular character. That is, until she was asked to host a Making of Featurette of the film and I got a sneak preview of the movie and I loved it. And so will you. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Catherine Beaumont. Alice, a voice actor, live action, stand in and inspiration all in one. I'm sure that I know right from wrong and I have the best intentions. Life to be such a merry son. Margaret Carey, Tinkerbell, a dancer who helped define the magical fairy. They would show me storyboarding, that they did what they had in mind, and they would talk very quietly to me what they wanted. And they would mark the area that they wanted me to work in. Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos. You have the option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them. If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications #1 Audrey Hepburn Aurora Let me see your profile again. I know, I know you The very definition of grace and beauty in the mid 20th century. It's no wonder that Audrey Hepburn served as the initial inspiration for Sleeping Beauty. According to Disney animator Ron Diaz, right from the character's inception, Aurora was drawn to look like the legendary British actress. Even as her design evolved, though, and she moved from brunette to blonde, her face shape, figure, and features continued to bear a striking resemblance to the fashion icon. I know I'm a Princess of the ball when the bird is really Prince Charming turned into a bird by a wicked sorcerer, but we've decided not to let it spoil the ball and to go right on dancing as if nothing had happened. Hepburn moved with elegance in every step due to her affluent upbringing and background in ballet, which was also reflected in the way Aurora moved. As a result, few Disney princesses were quite as refined as Briar Rose, a crowned wearing grace and beauty as is thy right and royal duty. Which actress inspired your favorite Disney Princess? Let us know in the comments below. Do we know her Well? The Prince certainly seems to, but I know I've never seen her. No I, but she certainly is. Wait, there is something familiar about that. Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip from Miss Mojo and be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos.