Here Are Some Intriguing Facts About The Disney Princesses
1. How the brand came to be
It all started when Andy Mooney, then the president of Disney Consumer Products, noticed that several young girls were dressed in princess attire—though not authentic Disney merchandise—during a Disney on Ice show. This inspired him to create the Disney Princess franchise in 2000, combining classic fairy tale characters under one brand. However, Roy E. Disney, Walt Disney's nephew, objected, fearing it would weaken the individual mythologies.
2. Esmeralda and Tinkerbell were almost Disney Princesses
The original Disney Princess line-up consisted of Snow White, Cinderella, Tinker Bell, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Esmeralda and Mulan. Esmeralda was removed as she wasn't marketable enough for the franchise's standards, as the sales of The Hunchback of Notre Dame's products weren't good, and because the movie dealt with themes that were not entirely suitable for children.
While Tinker Bell didn't have much in her favor, as she didn't communicate verbally, didn't have a sidekick, and isn't human even if she looks like one.
However, Tinker Bell was removed so she could lead her own franchise as a Disney fairy, and through that, she got to star in a couple of movies.
3. The other almost princesses
Disney / Via d23.com
Other characters were considered to be part of the Disney Princesses franchise but didn't make it, as were Enchanted's Giselle, Tarzan's Jane, and Frozen's Anna and Elsa. The latter two is likely because Frozen is a much more profitable franchise on its own. Disney Princess requirements can change, potentially removing any princess from the lineup.
4. Why they never look at each other
Disney / Via drashish.substack.com
While creating the franchise, Mooney decided that, when featured in marketing advertisements such as posters, the princesses should never make eye contact with each other to keep their individual "mythologies" intact. "[Each] stares off in a slightly different direction as if unaware of the other's presence.
It wasn't until Ralph Breaks the Internet that the princesses would have their first direct interaction with each other.
5. Pocahontas was the first princess to be based on a real-life person
6. Belle is the only one in her village to wear blue
7. Pocahontas and Mulan aren't technically princesses
Disney / Via uk.pinterest.com
Pocahontas is the daughter of a chief and does not marry in to a royal family. Mulan does not come from a royal line, and she does not marry a prince.
8. Cinderella had Walt Disney's favorite piece of animation
Disney / Via tenor.com
Walt Disney said that the scene where Cinderella's ripped dress transforms into a shiny silver ballgown was his favorite piece of animation ever.
9. Ariel was almost blonde
Disney / Via imdb.com
Originally, Ariel from The Little Mermaid was going to be blonde. However, Splash had recently been released which featured Daryl Hannah playing a blonde mermaid. So, Disney decided to have Ariel stand out by making her a redhead.
10. Jasmine is the only princess to kiss a villain
Disney / Via youtube.com
12. Merida was the first princess to not have a prince or lover
Pixar / Via m.imdb.com
While Merida was the first, and so far the only, Disney Princess to be from a Pixar film, she was also the first princess to not have a love interest. Other princesses soon followed, like Moana and Raya.
13. Beyoncé almost voiced Tiana
Disney / Via imdb.com
14. The inspiration for the fairies argument over Aurora's dress color
Disney / Via imdb.com
The running gag of Flora and Merryweather arguing about whether Aurora's dress should be pink or blue originated from the filmmakers' problem as to deciding just that.
15. Snow White is the youngest princess at 14 years old
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After all, cheating death is part of the key to Doctor Who's longevity!
