Thanks to Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Ariel is a widely known character. Along with the cartoon series, you will also find this beautiful, mermaid princess in The Little Mermaid, The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, and The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning. Jodi Benson voices all of Ariel’s animated material.

About Ariel

Gender- Female

Birthplace- Atlantica

Family- The Royal family of Atlantica

First Appearance- The Little Mermaid (1989)

Created By- Hans Christian Andersen and Roger Allers

Voiced By- Jodi Benson

Aka/Aliases- Princess Ariel, the Little Mermaid

The character of Ariel was based off of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” fairy tale. Disney only kept the basics of the character and developed her into her own right. She has a very distinct appearance with her long red hair, blue eyes, green tail, and purple seashell top.

Ariel’s original design was done by animator Glen Keane. The choice for red hair was a dispute with the filmmakers and studio executives who felt the she should have blonde hair. Her appearance is after the animator’s wife, Alyssa  Milano (who was 16 at the time), and female model Sherri Stoner. Stoner was the live-action reference used by the animators during the development of the film.

Keeping Ariel’s coloring the same was a big challenge for the animators. To keep her looking the same on land and under the sea, they required 32 color models, and that didn’t include costume changes. The blue-green color of her fin was specially developed by Disney’s paint lab and was named Ariel.

While Ariel is on land she goes through many costume changes. Scuttle give her sail remains to wear as a dress when she first appears on land. She wears a pink and white gown with dangling pearl earrings and pink high heels for her dinner with Eric. She wears a pink sleeping gown at bedtime. After being turned into a human permanently by her father, she wears a long, sparkly white dress. There are many other costume changes as well.

Jodi Benson was cast as the voice of Ariel. She was chose because the directors felt it important to have the same person be able to do both the speaking and singing voice. Ron Clements, Co-director said that Benson’s voice had a unique voice that was “youthfulness” and “sweetness”.

This strong willed character is a great role model for children. She is also one of the Disney Princesses. You can find costumes so that you can dress up as Ariel and become your own little mermaid.