A recently surfaced video sheds light on the surprising initial depiction of Disney's Ariel as a strawberry blonde in theme parks and early merchandise around 1989, a stark contrast to her iconic red hair in "The Little Mermaid" film. According to insights shared in the video, early concept art for the character featured blonde hair. However, the decision to change Ariel's hair to red was reportedly made to differentiate her from Daryl Hannah's blonde mermaid character in the popular 1984 film "Splash" and to create a complementary color scheme with her green tail. Toy manufacturers, including Tyco Toys, were initially hesitant to produce red-haired dolls, citing a perceived lack of market appeal for such products. This led to the release of strawberry blonde Ariel dolls and park performers with similar hair colors. However, strong public demand and the character's growing popularity ultimately influenced a shift, leading to the red-haired Ariel becoming the standard in both merchandise and Disney parks. This historical detail offers a fascinating glimpse into the creative and commercial decisions behind one of Disney's most beloved princesses.
The Little Mermaid was released in 1989 and for many redheads, it was a staple in our childhoods. Ariel was the first redhead Disney princess and for…
