Princess Jasmine first appeared in Aladdin in 1992 about a young man who was extremely poor living in the fictional city of Agrabah and comes upon a Genie that turns him into a prince in order to be with Princess Jasmine. However, the evil Jafar has other plans and attempts to thwart Aladdin. In the end, good triumphs over evil and Aladdin and Jasmine live happily ever after!
Unlike the other princesses that will be featured this week, Jasmine is the only princess to be a secondary character, coming after Aladdin. She is also the only official Disney Princess to be a secondary character as well.
Princess Jasmine is based off of the character Princess Badroulbadour from the tale of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp from One Thousand and One Nights which is a collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories.
In the original tale, Aladdin is persuaded by a sorcerer to obtain an oil lamp that is trapped. When the sorcerer attempts to double cross him, Aladdin retains a magical ring that contains a lesser powerful Genie. The Genie helps Aladdin to become rich and powerful and will eventually marry the Emperor's daughter, Princess Badroulbadour. The sorcerer then battles with Aladdin with the more powerful Genie of the Lamp but Aladdin and Princess Badroulbadour win in the end and live happily ever after.
Scott Weinger, the actor who voiced Aladdin, also played DJ Tanner's boyfriend on Full House.
Jasmine was the first Disney Princess to be voice by two actresses, Linda Larkin provided her speaking voice and Lea Salonga provided her singing voice.
Lea Salonga also provided the singing voice for Mulan and was Fantine in Les Meserables: The 25th Anniversary (my mind has been blown).
