Think You Know Ariel? Here Are 14 Facts to Test Your Disney Princess Knowledge
:upscale()/2016/04/12/996/n/3019466/2102e97c_edit_img_cover_file_40907664_1460493365.jpg)
If you grew up singing and dancing with Ariel and friends in The Little Mermaid, the ambitious, redheaded princess probably holds a unique place in your Disney-loving heart. We feel the obsession 100 percent, which is why we rounded up the most interesting facts about our beloved mermaid-turned-human. See them all ahead!
:upscale()/2016/04/12/975/n/3019466/f29107624063c8fc_ariel_has_scuttle_land_on_her_leg_by_arielfan90-d9ch5e2.gif)
Ariel is considered to be the first Disney princess to embody the go-getter attitude.
Previously, Disney had created reactive princesses whose aspirations mainly revolved around finding a prince to live happily ever after with. Ariel, on the other hand, is serious about her dream to become human. Yes, her desire for Eric is a key element, but The Little Mermaid is contemporary in tone — Ariel's wish to be among humans is a primary focus.
:upscale()/2016/04/12/975/n/3019466/261131f9d4f0fb7b_Ariel_Swimming.gif)
Footage of Sally Ride was used to create the effect of Ariel's hair underwater.
Ariel's swirling locks were inspired by footage of astronaut Sally Ride when she was in space.
:upscale()/2016/04/12/975/n/3019466/fce6c606f8fe28fe_Ariel-Shrug.gif)
Ariel is a teen.
In the first film, she's only 16 years old; she's also the youngest of King Triton's seven daughters.
:upscale()/2016/04/12/975/n/3019466/132e45540da46fb4_x0z5_f-maxage-0.gif)
Ariel and Hercules are first cousins, once removed.
Hercules is the son of Zeus. King Triton is the son of Poseidon. Poseidon and Zeus are brothers, making Hercules and Triton cousins. Since Ariel is the daughter of Triton, Hercules and Ariel are first cousins, once removed. MIND-BLOWING, right?!
:upscale()/2016/04/12/975/n/3019466/c1ea72c8765f2e28_ariel-hair-fix-disney-princess-38928066-500-278.gif)
The decision to make Ariel's hair red was for a couple reasons.
Why is Ariel's hair red? First, green (the color of Ariel's fin) and red are complementary colors. Also, Daryl Hannah played a blond mermaid a few years prior in Splash, so they wanted to make Ariel stand out.
:upscale()/2016/04/12/975/n/3019466/b8be4bceedcf80f0_little-mermaid-3.gif)
Ariel is the only Disney princess who wasn't born human.
Who says you have to be a human to come from a line of royalty?
:upscale()/2016/04/12/975/n/3019466/140abd30faae925f_Ariel-Legs-84430.gif)
Ariel's appearance was based on Sherri Stoner.
Model, actress, and writer Sherri Stoner engaged in live-action sequences for the animators while the film was being made. She was also a source of inspiration for another fan-favorite princess, Belle.
:upscale()/2016/04/12/975/n/3019466/039f98f09f4e4b51_giphy.gif)
Ariel's look was also inspired by a young Alyssa Milano.
Alyssa Milano revealed on The Wendy Williams Show that the rumors are true — the artwork of Ariel drew inspiration from pictures of her younger self. Here's the video for reference (skip to 9:25).
:upscale()/2016/04/12/975/n/3019466/1a771e3b4a6225a6_littlemermaid_siblings.gif)
Ariel is the first Disney princess to have biological siblings.
She has six (!) sisters, to be exact.
:upscale()/2016/04/12/975/n/3019466/fa0da4ecd1a4d07d_tumblr_inline_mhxdf64rQl1qz4rgp.gif)
The color of Ariel's fin was specially created by Disney.
It's not your average green tone — Ariel's fin is an original hue mixed by the Disney Paint Lab. The sea-green color is now named after her!
:upscale()/2016/04/12/975/n/3019466/8cc1c71be0eccde4_Best-Hugs-11-The-Little-Mermaid.gif)
Ariel is thought to be King Triton's favorite child.
Ariel inherited a few of Triton's personality traits, plus his formerly red hair. The resemblance to Ariel's mother is said to be another reason for the king's favoritism.
:upscale()/2016/04/12/975/n/3019466/20ff2c60dfa633b7_tumblr_n3jbckrq8p1r46qcbo1_400.gif)
Ariel's song "Part of Your World" was almost cut from the movie.
Former Disney producer/current DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberger allegedly thought it was "boring." Needless to say, we're glad the iconic tune was kept in the film.
:upscale()/2016/04/12/975/n/3019466/0da3604eea9e9a2a_tumblr_n4jj5a8EiQ1tuvbmzo4_400.gif)
Ariel's eyes were redesigned in the second film, Return to the Sea.
Honestly? This princess is completely stunning in both movies.
:upscale()/2016/04/12/975/n/3019466/62f7686ac5e6481a_tumblr_mak3dzOc2Q1r8pihto1_500.gif)
Ariel retains her power of speaking to aquatic life in human form.
She's one extraordinary princess, indeed.