Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

Ariel (The Little Mermaid) Frequently Asked Questions & Fun Facts

Who is the voice of Ariel?

For the original animated series and films, Ariel has been voiced exclusively by Disney Legend Jodi Benson. In the 2023 live-action reimagining, she was portrayed by Halle Bailey, and in the 2024-2026 Disney Junior’s Ariel series, she is voiced by Mykal-Michelle Harris.

Who are Ariel’s parents and sisters?

Ariel is the youngest daughter of King Triton and Queen Athena. She has six older sisters whose names all start with the letter ‘A’: Attina, Alana, Adella, Aquata, Arista, and Andrina.

Why does Ariel have red hair?

Disney animators specifically chose red hair for Ariel to distinguish her from the mermaid played by Daryl Hannah in the 1984 film Splash. Additionally, red is a complementary color to Ariel’s green tail!

How many movies has Ariel appeared in?

To date, Ariel has appeared in four major animated feature films:

• The Little Mermaid (1989)
• The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea
• The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning
• Ralph Breaks the Internet

She also stars in the 2023 live-action The Little Mermaid.

Is Ariel based on a true story?

Ariel is based on the protagonist of the 1837 fairy tale “The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen. However, the original story is much darker—in the book, the mermaid does not marry the prince and eventually turns into sea foam.

What is Ariel’s daughter’s name?

Ariel is the only Disney Princess to have a child. In the sequel Return to the Sea, she and Prince Eric have a daughter named Melody, who ironically dreams of becoming a mermaid just as Ariel once dreamed of being human.