Early concept art of Belle, from Disney’s Oscar-winning “Beauty and the Beast” was originally considered too beautiful.
According to a new book called “Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara” by Emily Zemler, the Disney princess’ look was adjusted early on in conception to make her less “glamorous” and more relatable.
“Original concept art for Belle shows her as a glamorous woman, but the animators quickly adapted the character’s look to ensure viewers could connect to her,” reads the book, which is out now.
“She kind of looked like Angelina Jolie — very beautiful,” Paige O’Hara, who voiced Belle, said in the book, which looks at the history of every Disney princess and their impact on pop culture.
A team of animators, including James Baxter and Mark Henn, designed Belle.
In the book, Baxter says they tried to give Belle a more European look “with fuller lips, a little bit darker eyebrows, and slightly smaller eyes” than Princess Ariel from 1989’s “The Little Mermaid.”
Early sketches of Belle by Alyson Hamilton show the character in a pink gown with soft makeup and curled hair, tied up.
“I didn’t see how anybody would identify with that person,” O’Hara said of Belle’s original concept. “You’d look at her and put her on a pedestal. Mark and James changed the look of her. She was a little too perfect.”
“I knew that this was going to change the view of Disney Princesses. Belle was the first one not looking for a man. She wanted to see the world and all the places she’d read about in books,” O’Hara added.
Disney animators evolved Belle’s look to what it is now to make sure that she was someone who viewers could connect with when they saw the film.
According to the book, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and Natalie Wood all inspired the look and feel of Belle in the 1991 film.
O’Hara also served as an influence on Belle’s final look.
In the early stages of creating the character Belle for Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” animators faced the challenge of making her relatable to viewers. Originally, Belle was depicted as a glamorous woman, reminiscent of Angelina Jolie in her beauty. However, voice actress Paige O’Hara expressed concern that this initial concept would make Belle too unattainable and put her on a pedestal.To address this issue, a team of talented animators, including James Baxter and Mark Henn, set out to adjust Belle’s appearance. They aimed to give her a more European look with fuller lips, darker eyebrows, and slightly smaller eyes compared to the previous Disney princess, Ariel. Early sketches by Alyson Hamilton showcased Belle in a pink gown with soft makeup and curled hair, giving her a more approachable and down-to-earth appeal.O’Hara’s input played a significant role in the evolution of Belle’s character design. She believed that Belle should be more than just a princess in search of love, but a strong, independent woman eager to explore the world and expand her horizons beyond the confines of her village. This shift in perspective marked a significant change in the portrayal of Disney princesses, as Belle became a beacon of empowerment and curiosity.Inspired by iconic actresses like Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and Natalie Wood, Belle’s final look in the 1991 film was a blend of elegance and grace. O’Hara’s performance also influenced Belle’s character, infusing her with warmth, intelligence, and determination.The transformation of Belle’s character from a glamorous beauty to a relatable and inspiring figure underscores Disney’s commitment to creating multidimensional and diverse princesses that resonate with audiences of all ages. By constantly evolving and reimagining classic characters, Disney continues to set the standard for storytelling and character development in animated films. Follow us for more insightful updates on the behind-the-scenes magic of your favorite Disney films and characters.
Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.
