12 Women Reveal Why Beauty and the Beast Is Still So Special to Them After All These Years

"Belle never cared about being what other people considered 'normal.' She saw beyond her 'provincial life' and she saw beyond the exterior of the Beast, giving him a chance that few other people would. Belle also doesn't take sh*t from anyone, including the Beast. She's a badass who loves books, and she inspires all of us to be as awesome." — Hilary White, editor, Smart Living and Love and Sex

"My great-grandmother's name was Belle, and she was the most beautiful person inside and out. Every time I watch Beauty and the Beast, I think of her and it brings me a sense of comfort. I've also been told I look like the brunette princess, so much so that I even tried to channel her in a street style POPSUGAR photo shoot!" — Samantha Netkin, assistant editor, Native

"Belle wasn't my favorite Disney princess (that was Ariel), but I still watched Beauty and the Beast just as many times as I did The Little Mermaid. One of my all-time favorite Disney memories is dancing around the room with my dad to 'Tale as Old as Time.' I wore Belle's yellow ballgown one Halloween, so I'd always slip that on and twirl around in the living room at the end of the movie. I think sharing this with my dad made me realize over time that a happy ending doesn't necessarily mean finding romantic love, but knowing I could always trust my family to be there. 'Tale as Old as Time' is so special to my dad and me; it's become 'our' song. We danced to it at my bat mitzvah and we'll dance to it at my wedding too — if I can find a beast who's willing to marry me." — Sarah Wasilak, editor, Fashion

"Belle became my favorite Disney princess when I was little because she was the smartest one of the bunch at the time. She embodied everything I wanted to grow up to be . . . not a captive, but a smart, independent woman who didn't care what others thought of her. She always tried to see the best in people, and that's a Disney lesson I've carried with me until today. I also plan to walk down the aisle with my future Beast to 'Tale as Old as Time.'" — Allison Chan, influencer programs marketing coordinator

"I related to Belle more than any other Disney princess from the very first time I saw Beauty and the Beast. Growing up, I was tough, fiercely protective of my family and friends, and took no sh*t from anyone, especially boys (and I still don't). Belle taught me that you can be firm but loving in your own way. She didn't care about being pretty and dressed up all the time; she was strong, independent, and didn't sacrifice her values for anyone." — Caitlin Hacker, editor, Celebrity

"I remember the first time I saw Beauty and the Beast like it was yesterday, and ever since then, I've had a love affair with the film and Belle (and the Beast, let's be real). Seeing Belle shake off haters who couldn't understand her obsession with reading gave me the confidence to ignore people's comments to myself and my parents when I was caught reading everywhere from restaurants to public transportation. And OK, I'll put it out there that it's a little messed up that she was forced to be in that castle, but that aside, I love that Belle isn't a typical princess whose sole purpose is to marry rich and look pretty for her kingdom. Rather, she's a simple girl who chose to sacrifice her happiness for her family and turned a mean, lonely man into a happy, caring one just by being herself and extending her kindness when it wasn't necessarily deserved. Plus, she wouldn't let anyone tell her what to do with her body (looking at you, Gaston), and she's a mean ballroom dancer. We could all learn a thing or two from Belle — she's a badass." — Alessia Santoro, assistant editor, Moms

"I think Beauty and the Beast is why I think books and libraries are romantic. The scene where the Beast gives Belle that gorgeous library is ingrained in my head forever as some grand gesture of ultimate love. Men should take note." — Sarah Siegel, editorial assistant, Trending

"Beauty and The Beast is my ultimate favorite movie and was the very first VHS tape I ever owned. My dad always called me 'Michelle, My Belle' after the Beatles song so imagine a 'Belle' character in a movie — I immediately connected with her! As I grew up, I understood why I always gravitated toward Belle. She was a bookworm, valued protecting family, and was selfless. To me, she embodies a lot of characteristics girls (and adults) should value!" — Michelle Zambrano, collective partnerships associate manager

"As a little girl, I remember relating to Belle and looking up to her — I too was a bookworm and a daydreamer. I love that she is firm in her values and faithful to her family and friends." — Anna Roberts, editor, Food

"My VHS copy of Beauty and the Beast is worn out in its limited-edition bubble case as we speak. It's the one princess movie I could watch over and over (and over and over) again. I was a child, so it probably wasn't because of the feminist themes; I just liked the taking teapot. I talked to all our household objects after watching it." — Maggie Pehanick, editor, Entertainment

"When I was a little girl, I identified with Belle because she had brown hair and loved to read (these were apparently hallmarks of my identity in my early years). I also appreciated her penchant for sneaking into the kitchen after hours to get some snacks. As I've gotten older, I now appreciate Belle because she doesn't have time to put up with sh*t from dumb dudes. Gaston is a total tool, and she didn't fall for that crap. She also totally made the Beast work to earn her respect." — Dominique Astorino, assistant editor, Fitness

"Belle has always been my favorite princess, and once I had my own daughters, she became even more important for me to profess my love for because of her strong values. While my daughter was in love with Ariel (we're talking about red-wig wearing and multiple Halloweens dressed up as a mermaid), I was doing my best to educate her on the importance the brave princess that loved books, rescued her father, and didn't judge who she fell in love with based on his looks. Top that with talking silverware and clocks, and what movie could be more fun?! Once Emma Watson had signed on to play Belle, I could convince that same Ariel-loving daughter that I was right all along. Thanks to her love for Hermione [Granger], I might actually be told I'm right when she sees the movie in March!" — Lisa Sugar, president of POPSUGAR