TikTok Artist Gives Disney Princesses A Modern Makeover

Yudelmis San Emeterio is turning Disney princesses into something a little more current, and TikTok is clearly paying attention.

The 29-year-old artist, who is still finishing her art degree, has built a following by reimagining characters like Belle, Mulan, and Tiana with modern hair, clothes, makeup, and accessories. Her videos have pulled in 180k followers and 6.4 million likes, and the appeal is easy to see; these princesses still feel familiar, just updated for today.

Some of her choices are playful, some are surprisingly relatable, and one character in particular seems to match her personality best. Read on.

While Yudie finishes up her art degree, she's keeping busy with this awesome project.

In an interview with productivity expert Cal Newport, he stated:

"Creativity thrives when individuals are inspired by existing works. Yudie's approach to modernizing Disney princesses showcases how transformations can honor the original while infusing fresh perspectives."vanytree

Belle

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Her makeovers keep the characters recognizable but give them a fresh, modern edge.

To achieve her transformation goals, Yudelmis modifies their hair, clothes, and makeup.

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Mulan

For some princesses, she even adds tattoos.

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That’s where the style changes really start to stand out.

In an interview with Bored Panda, the artist said:

"Like most people in my age group, I grew up heavily invested in Disney films. Even now, as an adult, I rarely miss a new release! Maybe it’s the nostalgia aspect of it, but Disney movies always tend to elicit strong emotions within me. I am that person bawling as soon as the opening credits roll; it’s pretty embarrassing."@vanotyarts

Tiana

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Even the jewelry and other accessories Yudelmis adds help bring these iconic characters into the modern era.

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Jasmine

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It also reminded us of the friend who caused tension after refusing to support a controversial business idea, AITAH for not backing it?

Yudelmis also said:

“There are many fan edits out there similar to it, so I wanted to approach it from the angle of keeping it as close to the original texture and style as possible. It’s more challenging than people realize, especially when working off a 3D still. It’s a lot of painting!”@vanotyarts

Rapunzel

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Which adjustment has the most profound impact in bringing a character into the modern world? It's hard to say.

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Cinderella

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As for what inspires each choice, Yudelmis told Bored Panda:

“Sometimes I’ll take cues from personality traits, but most of the time it’s about creating a (hopefully) flattering final product. I don’t always know what’s on trend, so Google is my best friend. We spend a lot of time together.”@vanotyarts

Jane (Tarzan)

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"Out of all the female leads in Disney, I resonate with Jane the most. I’m still waiting for my Tarzan, though," Yudelmis posted to TikTok.

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That answer fits the playful tone of the whole series.

Of course, that's not all the pop culture that Yudelmis loves to indulge in when it comes to her art.

She says she loves drawing and painting and has been thinking about expanding her series to include many more real-life people. She told Bored Panda:

“Videos like the Ariana Grande one tend to be more fulfilling for me since the art is all mine, so it’s something I want to explore more in the near future. Imagine Jason Momoa as a Disney cartoon character!”@vanotyarts

Of course, her self-portraits are pretty great, too!

You can follow Dr. Madeline Levine, a prominent child psychologist, who emphasizes, "Encouraging creativity in children through contemporary adaptations of beloved tales can significantly enhance their imaginative skills." Additionally, explore The Gottman Institute for more insights on fostering creativity and emotional intelligence in children.

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Her fans grow exponentially and compliment her work relentlessly.

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It’s easy to see why people keep coming back for more.

It's easy to fall in love with her work because many people can see themselves in her modern makeovers.

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Since she is considering expanding her series, it would be cool if she opened up commissions, and we could all have a modern Disney Princess version of ourselves!

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But the coolest part of all is probably watching the videos to see her in action.

You can do that by following insights from Tony Robbins, a renowned life coach who states, "The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment." Engaging with creative content like modern interpretations of Disney princesses can inspire personal growth and creativity.

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We're all just a little bit in love, aren't we?

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Her Disney series is already a hit, and it may only be getting started.

Want proof the “old masters” were trendsetters? See 77 viral Old Masters portraits that look like modern influencer energy.