Photo:Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/ Everett; Barry King/FilmMagic
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/ Everett; Barry King/FilmMagic
Meet the actresses behind some of your favoriteDisney princesses.
Cinderella, Belle and Jasmine are some of the most recognizable animated characters of all time, but
Now, Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose is taking on a new kind of Disney heroine inWish. Though her character isn’t an official Disney princess, she is as inspiring and determined as the generations of Disney heroines before her.
“This girl doesn’t give up and her wish is not for herself, it is for her community and I think that is such a beautiful thing,“she said during the film’s U.K. premiere. She added that her character is a “departure from many of the historical Disney princesses and heroines” because she’s not trying to find her prince or accomplish her own ambitions: “It’s not necessarily about the ambition to start a business, but it is about the ambition to make the world a better place and that’s cool.”
01of 15Adriana Caselotti as Snow WhiteWalt Disney Pictures/ Everett; EverettAdriana Caselotti voiced the role of Snow White in 1937’sSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Then 18 years old, she was paid $970 for her work on the film, the equivalent of about $19,000 today,perThe New York Times. She was also not credited for the role, as Disney wanted to maintain the illusion of the film’s characters being real.In 1972, she honored her Disney roots when she appeared onThe Julie Andrews Hourto sing songs from the film alongside Andrews. In 1994, she was named a Disney Legend at 78 years old, making her the first female voice-over artist to achieve the honor.Caselotti died on Jan. 18, 1997, at age 80 in Los Angeles after being diagnosed with cancer.
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Adriana Caselotti as Snow White
Walt Disney Pictures/ Everett; Everett
Adriana Caselotti voiced the role of Snow White in 1937’sSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Then 18 years old, she was paid $970 for her work on the film, the equivalent of about $19,000 today,perThe New York Times. She was also not credited for the role, as Disney wanted to maintain the illusion of the film’s characters being real.
In 1972, she honored her Disney roots when she appeared onThe Julie Andrews Hourto sing songs from the film alongside Andrews. In 1994, she was named a Disney Legend at 78 years old, making her the first female voice-over artist to achieve the honor.
Caselotti died on Jan. 18, 1997, at age 80 in Los Angeles after being diagnosed with cancer.
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Ilene Woods as Cinderella
Walt Disney Pictures/ Everett; CBS via Getty
Though she retired from show business in 1972, she remembered her role as Cinderella fondly. When asked in a 2006 interview forStarlogmagazine what the best thing was about having been Cinderella, she replied: “Oh, I love the idea that after I’m gone, children will still be hearing my voice,” per theLos Angeles Times.
In 2003, she was named a Disney Legend for her role in the film. Woods was 81 when she died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease on July 1, 2010, in Los Angeles.
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Mary Costa as Aurora
Everett; Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty
In 1999, she joined the ranks of many others as a Disney Legend. At age 93, she is the last surviving voice actress of the three Disney Princesses created in Walt Disney’s lifetime.
04of 15Jodi Benson as ArielWalt Disney/ Everett; Andrew H. Walker/GettyAfter working with Disney lyricist Howard Ashman in the 1986 Broadway showSmile, Jodi Benson booked the role of Ariel in 1989’sThe Little Mermaid. In a 2019 interview with POPSUGAR, Benson recalled that some of her fondest memories from the film were working alongside Ashman, who died in March 1991 after being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.“Working with Howard Ashman on the song ‘Part of Your World,’ is always my fondest memory because I sing the song almost every weekend, so I get to relive those memories in the studio with him,“she told the outlet. “He was just so brilliant and so helpful to me in the studio that I like thinking about that.“Benson has continued to work with Disney in the years since, including reprising her role as Ariel in variousThe Little Mermaidspinoffs and voicing Barbie in theToy Storyfilms. Additionally, she made a small cameo in the live-action adaptation of the film starring Halle Bailey.For her many contributions to Disney, she was named a Disney Legend in 2011.
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Jodi Benson as Ariel
Walt Disney/ Everett; Andrew H. Walker/Getty
After working with Disney lyricist Howard Ashman in the 1986 Broadway showSmile, Jodi Benson booked the role of Ariel in 1989’sThe Little Mermaid. In a 2019 interview with POPSUGAR, Benson recalled that some of her fondest memories from the film were working alongside Ashman, who died in March 1991 after being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.
“Working with Howard Ashman on the song ‘Part of Your World,’ is always my fondest memory because I sing the song almost every weekend, so I get to relive those memories in the studio with him,“she told the outlet. “He was just so brilliant and so helpful to me in the studio that I like thinking about that.”
Benson has continued to work with Disney in the years since, including reprising her role as Ariel in variousThe Little Mermaidspinoffs and voicing Barbie in theToy Storyfilms. Additionally, she made a small cameo in the live-action adaptation of the film starring Halle Bailey.
For her many contributions to Disney, she was named a Disney Legend in 2011.
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Paige O’Hara as Belle
Walt Disney Pictures / Everett; Jordan Strauss/WireImage
After beginning her acting career on Broadway, Paige O’Hara made her motion picture debut in 1991, voicing Belle inBeauty and the Beast.
Speaking with POPSUGARin 2016, O’Hara recalled that the film’s success was an “amazing ride.”
“We didn’t really understand how great the film was going to be in the beginning. What was so special about this was the collaborative effort,” she said. “Everyone was on the same page. Everyone had the same vision, and that vision started with Howard Ashman.”
For her work as Belle, O’Hara was honored as a Disney Legend in 2011.
06of 15Linda Larkin as JasmineWalt Disney Pictures/ Everett; Ron Galella Collection via GettyLinda Larkin voiced the role of Jasmine in 1992’sAladdinalongsideFuller Houseactor Scott Weinger as Aladdin and Robin Williams as Genie.Duringan interview withForbesin 2019, Larkin fondly recalled working with Weinger and Williams in the studio. “The joy that Scott and I had to being in the room with Robin Williams comes through in the film because as characters, Genie and Aladdin and Jasmine have such a beautiful chemistry together and we really experienced that in real life the day we recorded,” she told the outlet.Like many other Disney princess voice actresses, she has reprised her role in various projects, includingAladdinspinoffs andRalph Breaks the Internet, which included several notable Disney princesses.In 2011, she was named a Disney Legend for her role as the princess of Agrabah.
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Linda Larkin as Jasmine
Walt Disney Pictures/ Everett; Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Linda Larkin voiced the role of Jasmine in 1992’sAladdinalongsideFuller Houseactor Scott Weinger as Aladdin and Robin Williams as Genie.
Duringan interview withForbesin 2019, Larkin fondly recalled working with Weinger and Williams in the studio. “The joy that Scott and I had to being in the room with Robin Williams comes through in the film because as characters, Genie and Aladdin and Jasmine have such a beautiful chemistry together and we really experienced that in real life the day we recorded,” she told the outlet.
Like many other Disney princess voice actresses, she has reprised her role in various projects, includingAladdinspinoffs andRalph Breaks the Internet, which included several notable Disney princesses.
In 2011, she was named a Disney Legend for her role as the princess of Agrabah.
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Irene Bedard as Pocahontas
Buena Vista Pictures / Everett; Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Bedard went on to reprise her role as Pocahontas in the film’s direct-to-video follow-up,Pocahontas II: Journey to a New Worldin 1998, and made a small voice cameo in 2018’sRalph Breaks the Internet.
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Ming-Na Wen as Mulan
Buena Vista Pictures/ Everett; Ron Galella Collection via Getty
In addition to her role as Mulan, she is well-known for starring in a different Disney project. From 2013 to 2020, she played Melinda May / The Cavalry in the ABC seriesAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
In 2019, she was honored as a Disney Legend for her contributions as Mulan.
09of 15Anika Noni Rose as TianaWalt Disney Co./ Everett; Jon Furniss/WireImageAfter playing Lorrell Robinson in the Academy Award-winning filmDreamgirlsin 2006, Anika Noni Rose voiced Tiana in 2009’sThe Princess and the Frog, making history as the first Black Disney princess.“It is an amazing legacy to have been the first,“Rose told PEOPLEof the historic role. “I feel like because of how much people still love Tiana, people’s minds were opened towards other things.“Rose was named a Disney Legend in 2011 and she is set to reprise her role as Tiana forthe upcomingThe Princess and the Frogride that will replace Splash Mountain at Disney World. Pack yourbags for a day at Disneyto experience the new attraction.
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Anika Noni Rose as Tiana
Walt Disney Co./ Everett; Jon Furniss/WireImage
After playing Lorrell Robinson in the Academy Award-winning filmDreamgirlsin 2006, Anika Noni Rose voiced Tiana in 2009’sThe Princess and the Frog, making history as the first Black Disney princess.
“It is an amazing legacy to have been the first,“Rose told PEOPLEof the historic role. “I feel like because of how much people still love Tiana, people’s minds were opened towards other things.”
Rose was named a Disney Legend in 2011 and she is set to reprise her role as Tiana forthe upcomingThe Princess and the Frogride that will replace Splash Mountain at Disney World. Pack yourbags for a day at Disneyto experience the new attraction.
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Mandy Moore as Rapunzel
Speaking withE! Newsabout the role, Moore said playing Rapunzel was “one of the best jobs I’ve ever had.” She added, “It kind of doesn’t get any cooler. That was maybe my greatest dream as a child and the fact that it somehow came to fruition still boggles my mind.”
Moore later reprised her role as Rapunzel in various projects, including the short filmTangled Ever AfterandRalph Breaks the Internet.
11of 15Kelly Macdonald as MeridaWalt Disney Pictures/ Everett; Barry King/FilmMagicScottish actress Kelly Macdonald voiced the role of Princess Merida in the Disney Pixar animated filmBrave, which was released in 2012.Speaking withThe Hollywood Reporterabout her role, Macdonald said she loved her character’s “energy and her feistiness” in the film. “I also liked that she gets it wrong. She makes her own mistakes and then she doesn’t need a prince charming to come and makes things better,” she told the publication. “She makes her own trouble, and then she gets herself out of that trouble, and I think that’s a very good message.”In 2018, she reprised her role as Merida alongside various other Disney princesses inRalph Breaks the Internet.
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Kelly Macdonald as Merida
Walt Disney Pictures/ Everett; Barry King/FilmMagic
Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald voiced the role of Princess Merida in the Disney Pixar animated filmBrave, which was released in 2012.
Speaking withThe Hollywood Reporterabout her role, Macdonald said she loved her character’s “energy and her feistiness” in the film. “I also liked that she gets it wrong. She makes her own mistakes and then she doesn’t need a prince charming to come and makes things better,” she told the publication. “She makes her own trouble, and then she gets herself out of that trouble, and I think that’s a very good message.”
In 2018, she reprised her role as Merida alongside various other Disney princesses inRalph Breaks the Internet.
12of 15Auli’i Cravalho as MoanaWalt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Everett; Jesse Grant/GettyAuli’i Cravalho was just 14 years oldwhen she was cast as the titular characterin 2016’sMoana, marking her acting debut. “It wonderfully changed my life and started my career,” Cravalho later recalled of the role on Instagram.Like many other Disney actresses, she has reprised her role as Moana in various projects, however,she will not be playing the characterinthe live-action adaptation.She explained her reasoning on social media, saying that she believes “it is absolutely vital the casting accurately represents the characters and stories we want to tell.” However, she will be an executive producer for the project.“I cannot wait to help find the next actress to portray Moana’s courageous spirit, undeniable wit and emotional strength,” she added. “I’m truly honored to pass this baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent, to honor our incredible Pacific peoples cultures and communities that help inspire her story. And I look forward to all the beautiful Pacific representations to come.”
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Auli’i Cravalho as Moana
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Everett; Jesse Grant/Getty
Auli’i Cravalho was just 14 years oldwhen she was cast as the titular characterin 2016’sMoana, marking her acting debut. “It wonderfully changed my life and started my career,” Cravalho later recalled of the role on Instagram.
Like many other Disney actresses, she has reprised her role as Moana in various projects, however,she will not be playing the characterinthe live-action adaptation.
She explained her reasoning on social media, saying that she believes “it is absolutely vital the casting accurately represents the characters and stories we want to tell.” However, she will be an executive producer for the project.
“I cannot wait to help find the next actress to portray Moana’s courageous spirit, undeniable wit and emotional strength,” she added. “I’m truly honored to pass this baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent, to honor our incredible Pacific peoples cultures and communities that help inspire her story. And I look forward to all the beautiful Pacific representations to come.”
13of 15Kelly Marie Tran as RayaDisney; Randy Holmes/ABC via GettyKelly Marie Tran is the most recent addition to the line of Disney princesses after playing Raya in 2021’sRaya and the Last Dragon.Speaking withEntertainment Weekly, Tran said that she was especially excited to playa new kind of Disney princessin the film. “She is someone who is technically a princess but I think that what’s really cool about this project, about this character, specifically is that everyone’s trying to flip the narrative on what it means to be a princess,” Tran told the publication.“Raya is totally a warrior. When she was a kid, she was excited to get her sword. And she grows up to be a really badass, gritty warrior and can really take care of herself,” she added.
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Kelly Marie Tran as Raya
Disney; Randy Holmes/ABC via Getty
Kelly Marie Tran is the most recent addition to the line of Disney princesses after playing Raya in 2021’sRaya and the Last Dragon.
Speaking withEntertainment Weekly, Tran said that she was especially excited to playa new kind of Disney princessin the film. “She is someone who is technically a princess but I think that what’s really cool about this project, about this character, specifically is that everyone’s trying to flip the narrative on what it means to be a princess,” Tran told the publication.
“Raya is totally a warrior. When she was a kid, she was excited to get her sword. And she grows up to be a really badass, gritty warrior and can really take care of herself,” she added.
14of 15Kristen Bell as AnnaWalt Disney Pictures/ Everett; Barry King/FilmMagicThough Anna isn’ttechnicallya Disney princess, we couldn’t leave the Arendelle sisters off this list! After gaining critical acclaim for her roles inVeronica Mars,Forgetting Sarah Marshalland more, Kristen Bell gained further recognition for voicing Princess Anna in 2013’sFrozen.Speaking with PEOPLE Now in 2019, Bell saidwhat she loved most about doing the moviewas being “part of something that shook all the norms,” adding the film didn’t revolve around the happily ever after of “waiting for a kiss from your prince.“Bell has reprised her role as the lovable Anna in various follow-ups, including 2019’sFrozen II, and is set to voice the character again in theupcoming third and fourth installmentsin the franchise.
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Kristen Bell as Anna
Though Anna isn’ttechnicallya Disney princess, we couldn’t leave the Arendelle sisters off this list! After gaining critical acclaim for her roles inVeronica Mars,Forgetting Sarah Marshalland more, Kristen Bell gained further recognition for voicing Princess Anna in 2013’sFrozen.
Speaking with PEOPLE Now in 2019, Bell saidwhat she loved most about doing the moviewas being “part of something that shook all the norms,” adding the film didn’t revolve around the happily ever after of “waiting for a kiss from your prince.”
Bell has reprised her role as the lovable Anna in various follow-ups, including 2019’sFrozen II, and is set to voice the character again in theupcoming third and fourth installmentsin the franchise.
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Idina Menzel as Elsa
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Everett; VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty
Duringan interview withThe Guardian, Menzel reflected on her iconic role, revealing howFrozenchanged her life. “The film’s messaging resonated with young audiences,” she added. “Through my character Elsa, I was thrown into being a role model for empowerment and self-esteem. I wanted to embrace that responsibility, while still having my own lessons to learn in my life. That has been something I love but also wrestle with.”
Like Bell, Menzel has reprised her role as Elsa in various projects and is set to voice the character again inthe upcomingFrozensequels.
source: people.com
