Inspired By Her Own Pregnancy, Artist Reimagines Disney Princesses As Pregnant Mothers Trying Their Best

Pregnancy can change the way a person sees everyday life, and for artist Anna Belenkiy, it also changed the way she drew it. The freelance illustrator, known on Instagram as annabell_illustration, began documenting her first pregnancy through a playful series inspired by Disney princesses.

Her project, called “Real-life Princesses,” imagines familiar characters as pregnant mothers doing their best through the messy, tender parts of the journey. The result is funny, relatable, and a little bit magical, which makes the series easy to love.

Here’s a look at the illustrations that turned Anna’s own experience into something other Disney fans will recognize right away.

1. Jasmine & Aladdin

"Today we discovered the gender of the baby, and the father started crying. Isn't that adorable?! I wanted to dedicate this illustration to all the sensitive daddies; you are the best!"

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2. Cinderella & Prince Charming

“What the hell is wrong with me? Can it be fixed?! I find myself hysterically crying about everything! My tears could fill a bathtub. I decided to capture the moment of my husband and me and illustrate us as Cinderella and her prince, reflecting a day in my life.”annabell_illustration

3. Ariel & Eric

“Morning sickness that lasts all day long is a huge part of my daily life as a pregnant woman. My dearest husband decided to capture this 'precious' moment on video to show it to our child in the future. So thank you for this unforgettable capture.”annabell_illustration

The series keeps getting more relatable with every new princess.

4. Belle

“Belle forgot all her French manners while craving French fries, as did I… who knew fried food could bring out the Beast in you?”

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5. Mulan & Shang

“Mulan and Shang Lee decided to celebrate a super romantic Valentine's Day, but the upcoming baby warrior had a different plan for their romantic date. This illustration was inspired by my baby's first kicks.”

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6. Rapunzel & Flynn

“So I wanted to talk about the elephant in the room:I imagined my pregnancy to be gentle and magical. No one prepared me for the fact that I would be a huge gas balloon without any control over it, so I’m here to tell you the whole truth about it.At this point, I can definitely say that the romance is gone.”annabell_illustration

Anna’s take makes the whole pregnancy experience feel a lot less polished and a lot more real.

It’s the same tension as her question about announcing her pregnancy at her best friend’s special dinner.

7. Ariel

“They say pregnancy makes you glow and look pretty; glow and pretty, my ass! It feels like I haven't slept for ages. When I look in the mirror, she screams back at me and begs me to stop! And what is the deal with all the pimples? I had fewer when I was a teenager! Only Ariel understands my pregnancy pain.”

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8. Mulan & Shang

“This incredible and magical moment when you realize you're about to create new life and bring it into this world is one of a kind. Mulan decided to surprise Shang Lee for Christmas with a super unique present. Congratulations to the future Mommy and Daddy.”

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That mix of humor and honesty is exactly why the project stands out.

9. Princess Tiana

“Oh God, I just realized that none of my pants fit anymore, and since we're in lockdown, there’s no place to buy new ones. So until my online orders arrive, I’m stuck!”

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It’s a sweet reminder that even princesses have to improvise sometimes.

Before you judge, see how she debated announcing her pregnancy after a heated best-friend argument.