“The Little Mermaid” ‘Kiss the Girl’ Scene Was Inspired By a Real-Life ‘Awkward’ Moment, New Book Reveals (Exclusive)

In his newly published memoir, **Making Disney Magic… from a Mermaid to Moana**, Ron Clements, co-director of the beloved animated classic *The Little Mermaid*, shares intriguing insights from his career at Disney. The book explores the inspirations and anecdotes behind various films, including the cherished tales of Ariel and her underwater adventures.

Clements, who co-directed *The Little Mermaid* with John Musker, reveals that one of the film’s iconic moments was born out of an unexpected and somewhat awkward encounter during a date. The scene features Sebastian the crab playfully urging Prince Eric to kiss Ariel, but this amusing interruption wasn’t entirely fictional. In his memoir, Clements recounts a late-night dessert outing at Ships Coffee Shop in Los Angeles, where he and his date were confronted by a curious young boy.

As they enjoyed their dessert, the boy approached their table and fixed them with an unusual stare. “Kiss her!” he urged in a hushed voice, creating a moment of unease that would later inspire the premise for the *Kiss the Girl* sequence. Clements wrote, “He continued, ‘Go on… kiss her… kiss her… Why don’t you just kiss her?!’” After this bizarre interlude, the boy returned to his family, but the interaction lingered on in Clements’ mind as a potential source for storytelling.

Despite the strange beginning, Clements and his date continued to see each other, though the relationship eventually came to an end. Reflecting on the incident, Clements acknowledged how real life sometimes connects with creative narratives, explaining that ‘every once in a while there’s a moment where something in your real life connects to something else.’

The memoir also sheds light on other fascinating details about *The Little Mermaid* that many fans may not be aware of. For instance, Clements discloses that in an earlier draft of the film, we would have learned much more about the rivalry between Ursula, the sea witch, and King Triton. This context was lost along the way as they worked to tighten the film’s narrative.

One deleted scene featured Ursula discussing her exile while stroking Ariel’s hair with a tentacle. She would have revealed her ambitions for power and expressed resentment toward Triton, stating, “Of course, I wouldn’t know … I’ve been banished forever by your dear old Daddy! And for what? Because I was ambitious?” This scene subsequently got cut during the editing process, as Clements explains the necessity of time constraints in film making.

Clements reflected on the decision, underscoring that while many edits felt justified, removing this particular context felt regrettable. He believed that it might have provided essential background to their characters, especially concerning Ursula’s animosity towards Triton.

Returning to the film’s plot, another long-debated question surrounding *The Little Mermaid* involves Ariel’s ability to communicate with Prince Eric after she trades her voice for legs. Many fans have wondered why she didn’t simply write him a note to explain her predicament, particularly since Ariel demonstrates her literacy by signing her name on the contract with Ursula.

Interestingly, Clements confirmed that Ariel did initially attempt to convey her thoughts through a letter in an early treatment of the film, which he still keeps framed at home. He explained that while audiences might see the written name in English, Ariel’s note was likely penned in a mermaid script, which would explain its absence from Eric’s knowledge during the movie.

Clements elaborated on this choice, noting, “We just wanted to make sure the audience realised she was writing her name,” and acknowledged that creative storytelling often requires a bit of imaginative rationale. As he continued reflecting on these elements, he emphasised how the creative process merges experiences from personal life with the whimsical worlds of animation.

*Making Disney Magic… from a Mermaid to Moana* is not just a memoir; it captures the essence of storytelling and the connections that inspire the characters we come to cherish. As fans of Disney continue to celebrate these classic tales, Clements’ reflections provide fresh insights into their creation and the artistry behind them.

Now available in bookstores, Clements’ memoir promises readers a behind-the-scenes look into the magic of Disney, enveloping them in stories that showcase both the light-hearted and profound moments that characterise the art of animation.