Kristy Puchko is a film critic/movie blogger who has written for Cinema Blend, Next Movie, Jezebel, The Film Stage, and Critical Mob. You can read her movie reviews here, or follow her on Twitter @KristyPuchko
Kristy Puchko
Mandy Moore, Rapunzel — Disney Princesses Then and Now
Then: Already an established pop star and actress, Moore added star power to Disney's first CGI princess tale, and also performed the Grammy-nominated song 'I See the Light' for its soundtrack.
Mary Costa, Aurora — Disney Princesses Then and Now
Then: Costa was an emerging singer and actress who had appeared on television, radio and in films like the comedy 'Marry Me Again,' and the crime drama 'The Big Caper,' before she landed the speaking and singing role of Aurora in 'Sleeping Beauty.'
Ming-Na Wen, Mulan — Disney Princesses Then and Now
Then: The Macanese-born actress made a name for herself as a cast member of the sitcom 'The Single Guy,' and had memorably played Chun-Li in the 1994 'Street Fighter' movie.
Anika Noni Rose, Tiana — Disney Princesses Then and Now
Then: Rose won the honor of voicing Disney's first African-American princess in 'The Princess and the Frog' after starring in the Oscar-winning movie musical 'Dreamgirls,' opposite Beyoncé Knowles and Jennifer Hudson.
Cree Summer, Princess Kida — Disney Princesses Then and Now
Then: By the time she appeared in 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire' in 2001, Summer was already a prolific voice artist who had lent her voice to Susie Carmichael on 'Rugrats,' She-Hulk on 'The Incredible Hulk,' Elmyra Duff on 'Tiny Toon Adventures,' and Penny on 'Inspector Gadget.' Memorably, she also played Freddie Brooks on 'The Cosby Show' spinoff 'A Different World.'
Irene Bedard, Pocahontas — Disney Princesses Then and Now
Then: Bedard, who is part Inuit, was not only the speaking voice of Disney's Pocahontas, she was also the physical model on which the character's design was based. However, it was Tony-nominated singer Judy Kuhn who lent Pocahontas her singing voice, which led to the film's Oscar win for Best Original Song for 'Colors of the Wind.'
Susan Sheridan, Princess Eilonwy — Disney Princesses Then and Now
Then: In 1985 when 'The Black Cauldron' opened, the 38-year-old English actress was at the start of her voice acting career.
Jodi Benson, Ariel– Disney Princesses Then and Now
Then: In 1989, Benson was a talented soprano singer and up-and-coming voice actress who had lent her talents to the English dubbing of Hayao Miyazaki's anime 'Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.' 'The Little Mermaid' proved a tipping point in Benson's voice acting career.
Paige O’Hara, Belle — Disney Princesses Then and Now
Then: With performances as Fantine in 'Les Miserables' and Ellie in 'Show Boat,' O'Hara was an established Broadway star who was chosen for the role of Belle for her incredible singing voice. 'Beauty and the Beast' marked her big screen debut.