Princess Jasmine

This article is about the Disney character. For the professional wrestler with this ring name, see Cynthia Peretti.
Princess Jasmine
Disney's Aladdin character
First appearance Aladdin (1992)
Last appearance Sofia the First (2013)
Created by Ron Clements
John Musker
Portrayed by Courtney Reed (originated Broadway role)
Voiced by Linda Larkin (speaking)
Lea Salonga (singing, first film and the Disney Princess franchise)
Liz Callaway (singing, The Return of Jafar and Aladdin and the King of Thieves)
Bobbi Page (Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse)
Age Unknown, presented as a teenager (first film)
Information
Species Human
Gender Female
Title Princess
Family The Sultan (father)
Unnamed mother (deceased)
Spouse(s) Aladdin
Children Aziz (son; in Descendants only)
Relatives Cassim (father-in-law)
Aladdin's unnamed mother (mother-in-law, deceased)
Nationality Arabian

Princess Jasmine Al-Hamed of Agrabah is a fictional character who appears in Walt Disney Pictures' 31st animated feature film Aladdin (1992) and its sequels The Return of Jafar (1994) and Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996), as well as its television series.

Jasmine's speaking voice is provided by American actress Linda Larkin. Filipina singer and actress Lea Salonga provides the character's singing voice in the first film, while American actress and singer Liz Callaway replaces her in The Return of Jafar.

Jasmine was based on the character Princess Badroulbadour from the Arabic folk tale "Aladdin", part of the One Thousand and One Nights series. She was adapted for the film by directors Ron Clements and John Musker, and animated by Mark Henn. In the first film, Jasmine is the beautiful and well sought-after Princess of Agrabah who is being forced by an age-old law to marry a prince in time for her next birthday. Notorious for having rejected several noble and wealthy suitors, Jasmine, fed up with her controlled and sheltered life as a princess, wishes to marry someone she loves for who they are as opposed to what they own.

Jasmine has garnered a generally mixed reception from critics, many of whom praised her strong-willed and free-spirited personality, while others criticized her role in the film, which they felt was "bland" and "unoriginal". Several critics also drew comparisons between the character and preceding Disney Princess Belle from Beauty and the Beast (1991). Jasmine is the 6th member of the Disney Princess line-up, and the franchise's first West Asian member.

Development

Linda Larkin went to accompany a friend who was auditioning for Jasmine, and decided to also test for the role after reading the script, being very inspired by the line "It's all so magical".[1] She was chosen for the role nine months later, and had to adjust her pitch to fit what the filmmakers wanted for Jasmine; her voice was considered "too high"[2] and sounded too young, despite Larkin being five years older than Scott Weinger, Aladdin's voice actor.[3]

Linda was almost fired and had to re-audition for the role until Ron Clements and John Musker vied for her to keep her position. Jeffrey Katzenberg did not think her voice sounded "forceful" or "regal" enough to play a princess. A guided recording session with Linda managed to sway Katzenberg into allowing her to keep her job.[4]

Supervising animator Mark Henn worked on early development of the character from the animation studio at Disney-MGM Studios in Florida—in full view of theme-park guests. Henn says he saw a young park visitor with a long, flowing black mane, and was inspired by her look for Princess Jasmine.[5] Her facial features were based on Henn's sister Beth.[6]

Characteristics

When she is first introduced, Princess Jasmine is in despair in the wake of her next birthday. She is the daughter of the Sultan who has issued, by law, that she must choose a husband (a prince) to marry. She is a very spirited young woman with a mind of her own and yearns for freedom. She loves animals and even has a pet tiger and some birds. However, unlike most Disney princesses, Jasmine does not show much interest in finding a true love or a husband. She has a bottomless supply of willpower and is very clever. Headstrong, self-confident, and full of vigor, Princess Jasmine is not afraid of adventure. In fact, she is a very curious and very brave young princess who wants to see the world just as it is, not cooped up in any sort of palace. Though rich and powerful, she does not give herself airs and wishes to live a simple life.

She is very beautiful with a slim figure, wide dark brown eyes, and full red lips. She also has thick and lovely long black hair tied into a stylized low ponytail with aqua elastics and also wears a blue headband with a sapphire set in a golden frame.

She wears many different outfits throughout the movie. The outfit she is most associated with is a turquoise bedlah outfit with long puffy harem pants and a tube top. She also sports large gold earrings, a golden choker, and gold slipper-like shoes. When she slips out into Agrabah, she's wearing a brown robe with a light brown hijab. For her formal wedding announcement, she wears a long lilac dress trimmed with mauve ribbons, diamond-shaped gold earrings, and a lilac headband with an amethyst set in a silver frame. When she is forced to become one of Jafar's slaves, she is forced to wear a red and golden bedlah outfit, with a red strapless crop top, red harem pants, golden slipper-like shoes, golden earrings, golden bracelets in various shapes, and a golden crown that was made from her chains. Her hair is set in a long ponytail, with a gold elastic to hold it in place. At the end of the movie, she is shown in a dark blue outfit with dark purple translucent sleeves, golden slipper-like shoes, and small round golden earrings. In Return of Jafar, Jasmine wears a purple blouse and purple harem pants for the first half of the movie. She later returns to wearing her signature turquoise outfit. In King of Thieves, Jasmine is mostly seen in a pink blouse and pink harem pants. She wears a white and gold wedding gown and a white flower veil at the wedding. In Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams, Jasmine mostly wears her signature outfit, although she is briefly seen in a peacock princess costume.

Films

Aladdin

Jasmine first appears in Aladdin (1992), as the oldest daughter of the wealthy Sultan of Agrabah. Jasmine was unhappy with having no choice in life, and being ruled over by her father, so she runs away from home the palace life for a free and more simple life. After escaping to the town of Agrabah that surrounds the palace walls, she meets Aladdin after he saves her from an irate merchant after she gave one of his apples to a street child without paying for it, by him claiming plea of mild insanity on her behalf. They run off together to Aladdin's hovel, where they both realize that they want to be free of the life that they are living and they have the same dreams. Shortly after this, Aladdin is arrested by guards led by Razoul. Jasmine reveals herself to them and demands them to let Aladdin go, but Razoul explains that he is doing so on Jafar's orders. Jasmine confronts Jafar and orders them to release Aladdin, but Jafar tells her that Aladdin has already been executed; Jasmine is left distraught and she blames herself for Aladdin's misfortune.

After Aladdin's wish to become a prince is granted to him by The Genie, he visits Jasmine in the guise of "Prince Ali-Ababwa". She initially believes him to be just another arrogant suitor, but later accepts his proposal after falling in love with him on a magic carpet ride. During this time, Jasmine sees through Aladdin's disguise, but Aladdin convinces her that he sometimes dressed up as a commoner to "escape the pressures of palace life", which she relates to. She is taken back to the palace and the two share a kiss.

However, upon announcing her decision to marry Aladdin, Jafar takes over Agrabah by stealing the lamp from Aladdin. At the same time, Aladdin attempts to reveal his true identity, but before he can do so, Jafar exposes it to Jasmine. After Jafar banishes Aladdin to the ends of the Earth, he then makes Jasmine his personal slavegirl. Jasmine was then forced to wear the revealing costume of a harem concubine and leashed to Jafar's throne to serve him. While Aladdin is banished to the frozen tundra, Jasmine must endure Jafar's lecherous advances and humiliations. When Aladdin finally returns, he goes to rescue Jasmine and saves the kingdom. Jasmine helps Aladdin to distract Jafar by pretending to fall madly in love with him. After Jafar discovers her ruse, Jasmine tries to steal the lamp, but is trapped in an hourglass and nearly dies from being buried alive. In the end, she is saved by Aladdin and returns to be the Princess of Agrabah, with her father, the Sultan.[7] After seeing how much Jasmine loves Aladdin, her father changes the old law to enable the princess to "marry any man she deems worthy", and the two are engaged.

Aladdin: The Return of Jafar

Main article: The Return of Jafar

In the first direct-to-video sequel, The Return of Jafar (1994), Jasmine begins to question her trust in Aladdin after he defends Iago, Jafar's former pet parrot who had terrorized her father, but she quickly gets over these questions with Iago's help (who convinces her that she cares about Aladdin by calling her bluff). She later accepts Iago as a friend after he helps her mend her relationship with Aladdin, frees the Genie to save Aladdin, and defeats Jafar under risk of his own life.

Aladdin and the King of Thieves

Finally, in the second direct-to-video/DVD movie, Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996) she and Aladdin are finally about to wed, when their wedding is interrupted by the Forty Thieves. After learning what they were after, Aladdin finds out from the Oracle that his father Cassim is still alive. Jasmine convinces him to seek out for his father, and that their wedding can be delayed a little bit longer.

While he is away, Jasmine grows worried, and Genie cheers her up by goofing around. When Aladdin returns with Cassim, she and the Sultan take an immediate liking to him. However, he later tries to steal the Oracle, and is put in prison; Aladdin helps him escape, which result in punishment. Jasmine and the Genie convince the Sultan that he helped his father out of love. At that moment, Iago (who was with Cassim) returns, telling them that Cassim has been captured by Sa'luk and the remaining Thieves.

Jasmine goes with Aladdin to rescue his father, and afterward they return for their wedding, which Cassim attends from the shadows. They go for a ride on Carpet, waving good-bye to the Merchant from the first film and Iago and Cassim as they ride off.

Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams

Princess Jasmine (Linda Larkin) is tired and bored of her usual princess duties. She is no longer satisfied with overseeing shop openings and assisting in the sale of a camel at the local market place. While having her portrait painted as a "Peacock Princess," Jasmine loses patience and says she wants more responsibility. The Sultan (Jeff Bennett) gives her the job of "Royal Assistant Educator" at the Royal Academy. Jasmine is thrilled until she meets her pupils. They run amok, draw on the walls, pillow fight, and throw books. She calls Rajah (Frank Welker) to try to scare the children into behaving, but they ignore him and chase Jasmine and Rajah into the mud and up a tree. Jasmine gives up. Later that night, her lady-in-waiting tells her that she needs patience and perseverance and that with these tools, she can do anything she wants. The next day, Hakeem (Zack Shada), the stable boy, seeks Jasmine's help. The Sultan's prized horse, Sahara, is missing from the Stables. Jasmine takes it upon herself, with Carpet, Abu (Welker), and Iago's (Gilbert Gottfried) help, to find Sahara and return him to the Palace.

In other media

Cosplay of Jasmine, Paris Manga 9, February 2010

Jasmine is an official member of the Disney Princess line, a prominent franchise directed to young girls. The franchise covers a wide variety of merchandise, including but not limited to magazines, music albums, toys, video games, clothes and stationery.[8] She is featured prominently in Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams, where she is the main character of one of the film's segments.

Princess Jasmine has made many appearances outside of the Aladdin films, including appearances at the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts as a meetable character. She is a frequently-seen character, and often accompanies Aladdin, and occasionally Genie. Jasmine is a featured character in the Mickey's PhilharMagic 3D show at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and Hong Kong Disneyland. Jasmine, Aladdin, Carpet, Abu and Genie make cameo appearances in the Hong Kong Disneyland version of It's a Small World. Jasmine also appears in various television series and was featured as a main character in the animated series based on the original 1992 feature. The series picked up where The Return of Jafar left off, with Aladdin still living on the streets of Agrabah, engaged to Jasmine. The character also made cameo appearances in Disney's House of Mouse and Hercules: The Animated Series. Recently, Jasmine appeared in the episode "Two to Tangu" of the Disney Junior series Sofia the First, in which she helps Sofia and Amber tame a wild magic carpet.

Jasmine appears in Kingdom Hearts as a supporting character in Agrabah, based on the Aladdin films. She is one of the Princesses of Heart kidnapped by Maleficent. She appears again in Kingdom Hearts II, and explains the strange behavior of Aladdin to Sora, Duck and Goofy. The cause of Aladdin's behavior is his loneliness after Genie went to see the other worlds. When Genie comes back all is well again. Linda Larkin reprises her role in the English version. Aside from the Kingdom Hearts series, Jasmine makes appearances in the video game adaptations of the 1992 film.[9]

In the Broadway musical adaptation of the movie, Jasmine is played by actress, Courtney Reed.[10] She also appears in Dancing With the Stars played by Cheryl Burke in season 18 and Sharna Burgess in seasons 20 and 22.

Reception

"While Jasmine is not quite so liberated as Belle, she is advanced considering that she lives in the Dark Ages...Jasmine probably has more in common with the heroine of "I Dream of Jeannie" than with a Muslim princess of 850 A.D. And her dream isn't so different from Snow White's or Cinderella's: She is waiting for her prince to come, but he must be a man with both looks and character."[11]
— Rita Kempley of The Washington Post, in analysis of Jasmine's character.

Critical reception towards Jasmine has been generally mixed. Ty Burr of Entertainment Weekly positively described Jasmine as "the most full-bodied ... of the new Disney heroines".[12] Brian Lowry of Variety likened Jasmine's strong-willed personality to that of Belle from Beauty and the Beast (1991), describing her as an "anachronistically liberated" heroine.[13] James Berardinelli of ReelViews was fairly positive in his review of the character, commending her for "show[ing] the same streak of stubborn independence exhibited by Ariel and Belle", but criticizing the fact that "she doesn't fill a more pressing role than that of Aladdin's 'love interest.'"[14] Desson Howe of The Washington Post praised Jasmine for providing the film with "feminist consciousness".[15] The Christian Science Monitor's David Sterrit commented, "the princess ... is less carefully worked out [than Aladdin] but equally likable as a personality type."[16] Contactmusic.com wrote that Jasmine has "likeably cynical streaks" despite being an "essentially bland" character.[17] Common Sense Media gave Jasmine a somewhat positive review, writing, "Jasmine is no Belle", calling her "spunky" despite the fact that "her predicament isn't very original".[18] Similarly, Gary Thompson of the Philadelphia Daily News wrote, "Princess Jasmine is also more barbed, yet without the obvious feminist makeover given to Belle".[19]

Other film critics have reacted less favorably towards Jasmine. Creative Loafing's Matt Brunson gave the character a mixed review, labeling her a "liberated" but "stiff" heroine.[20] Janet Maslin of The New York Times described Jasmine as shallow and bland character, criticizing the fact that her "main concern is deciding whom she will marry."[21] Time Out gave the character a fairly negative review, calling her disappointing.[22] TV Guide criticized Jasmine's role in the film, describing her as "bland".[23] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times labeled Jasmine one of the film's "weaknesses", negatively describing the relationship between her and main character Aladdin as "pale and routine".[24] Ed Gonzalez of Slant Magazine also panned the character, writing, "Jasmine is another 'free-spirited' type in the Barbie-doll tradition, a faux feminist who wants everyone to know that she can do everything the boys can".[25]

Tala Dayrit of Female Network included Jasmine in her list of "30 Fierce and Fun Female Cartoon Characters". Describing her as "a new-age princess", Dayrit wrote that Jasmine is "opinionated and spirited, with a clear mind of her own" who "refus[es] to believe that her life should be lived according to the dictates of others".[26] Sonia Saraiya of Nerve ranked Jasmine fifth in her article "Ranked: Disney Princesses From Least To Most Feminist". Saraiya praised her personality, likening her boldness, curiosity, and skepticism of marriage to that of Belle while commending her for "falling for a completely inadequate 'street rat' and whisking him out of poverty, instead of the other way around." However, Saraiya labeled Jasmine's use of sexuality her "only power", criticizing her for sending a negative message to young girls.[27] Dimas Sanfiorenzo of Complex ranked Jasmine second in his article "The 25 Hottest Cartoon Women Of All Time", awarding specific praise to her hair and her eyes.[28]

References

  1. ↑ Culhane, John (1993-08-15). Disney’s Aladdin The Making Of An Animated Film. Disney Editions. ISBN 1-56282-757-X.
  2. ↑ "Pop Up Fun Facts", Aladdin Platinum Edition Disc 1
  3. ↑ Hischak, Thomas S. (2011). Disney Voice Actors: A Biographical Dictionary. McFarland. p. 122. ISBN 978-0-7864-6271-1.
  4. ↑ Hill, Jim (April 13, 2000). "Roger & Gene, Ron & John, Jeffrey & Oscar, Candy and ... er .. um". Aladdin Central. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  5. ↑ Thomas, Bob: "Chapter 9: A New Tradition", pages 133-135. Disney's Art of Animation: From Mickey Mouse to Hercules, 1997
  6. ↑ Diamond in the Rough: The Making of Aladdin (Documentary). Aladdin Platinum Edition (Disc 2): Buena Vista Home Video. 2004.
  7. ↑ Ron Clements and John Musker (directors) (1992). Aladdin (film). Walt Disney Feature Animation.
  8. ↑ "Disney Princess merchandise". Disney. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
  9. ↑ "Ending for Aladdin(Genesis/Nomad)". Vgmuseum.com. Retrieved 2012-02-07.
  10. ↑ "Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed Will Co-Star in Disney's Aladdin; Complete Cast Announced". playbill.com. Playbill. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  11. ↑ Kempley, Rita (November 25, 1992). "Aladdin". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  12. ↑ Burr, Ty (November 13, 1992). "Aladdin (1992)". Entertainment Weekly. Entertainment Weekly Inc. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  13. ↑ Lowry, Brian (November 3, 1992). "Aladdin". Variety. Variety Media, LLC. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  14. ↑ Berardinelli, James. "Aladdin". ReelViews. James Berardinelli. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  15. ↑ Howe, Desson (November 27, 1992). "Aladdin". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  16. ↑ Sterritt, David (November 17, 1992). "Disney Dreams Up a Dazzling `Aladdin'". The Christian Science Monitor. The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  17. ↑ "Aladdin Movie Review". Contactmusic.com. Contactmusic.com Ltd. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  18. ↑ "Aladdin". Common Sense Media. Common Sense Media Inc. September 19, 2005. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  19. ↑ Thompson, George (November 25, 1992). "A Magic-carpet Ride Disney Allows Fable To Soar". Philly.com. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  20. ↑ Brunson, Matt. "View From The Couch — Aladdin (1992)". Creative Loafing. SouthComm, Inc. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  21. ↑ Maslin, Janet (November 11, 1992). "Aladdin (1992) Review/Film; Disney Puts Its Magic Touch on 'Aladdin'". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  22. ↑ "Aladdin". Time Out. Time Out. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  23. ↑ "Aladdin: Review". TV Guide. TV Guide. 1992. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  24. ↑ Ebert, Roger (November 25, 1992). "Aladdin". RogerEbert.com. Ebert Digital LLC. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  25. ↑ Gonzalez, Ed (September 24, 2004). "Aladdin". Slant Magazine. Slant Magazine. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  26. ↑ Dayrit, Tala (March 17, 2011). "30 Fierce and Fun Female Cartoon Characters". Female Network. Summit Digital. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  27. ↑ Saraiya, Sonia (July 11, 2012). "Ranked: Disney Princesses From Least To Most Feminist". Nerve. Nerve.com Inc. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  28. ↑ Sanfiorenzo, Dimas (January 28, 2011). "The 25 Hottest Cartoon Women Of All Time". Complex. Complex Media. Retrieved 10 May 2013.

External links

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