Ariel Was Modeled After Alyssa Milano!

Ariel Was Modeled After Alyssa Milano! Disney's process for envisioning the appearance of its iconic characters often remains a mystery. Regarding the main character of The Little Mermaid, Disney's choice of Ariel's model was rather unexpected. Surprisingly, despite not being a red-head, '80s child star Alyssa Milano gained considerable attention around the time the movie was in production, and the studio decided to base Ariel on her physical appearance and character traits.

While Alyssa Milano may not have fit the typical mold for a Disney princess, her influence on Ariel's design added a unique twist to the beloved character, making her even more memorable for fans of The Little Mermaid.

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