Imagine a world where AI gets a little too curious… and decides to give our beloved Disney characters a complete human makeover. That’s exactly the kind of delightful chaos that artist Shannon Tuscanylee embraced when she took on the challenge of reimagining classic Disney icons as real-life humans with a wildly entertaining and often hilarious twist.
From a stylishly suave Mickey Mouse to a punky human version of Stitch, these character redesigns are full of personality, creativity, and that perfect mix of nostalgia and innovation. Let’s take a magical journey through these imaginative transformations that are winning hearts across the internet.
Meet the Mastermind: Shannon Tuscanylee
Before we dive into the characters, let’s give a standing ovation to the artist behind this fantastical project.
Shannon Tuscanylee, a self-taught illustrator from Tasmania, has a passion for creating characters that people can connect with emotionally. She’s been doodling since childhood but only recently stepped into the spotlight gaining massive traction on Instagram and TikTok for her unique blend of fan art, storytelling, and humor.
“I love people. That’s really why I draw. When someone tells me my artwork made them laugh or brought back a childhood memory, that’s the best feeling in the world,” — Shannon
Although she once pursued a career in law and worked for the Department of Justice, her heart always belonged to art. With the support of her close friends, family, and girlfriend, Shannon made the bold leap to go full-time as an artist.
10 Beloved Disney Characters, Now Human (Thanks to AI & Shannon)
1. Lady and the Tramp – Old-School Romance with a Modern Twist
The beloved doggy duo from Disney’s Lady and the Tramp gets a human revamp that feels like a classic romance novel cover come to life.
Lady becomes a soft-spoken, elegant woman with long flowing curls, subtle vintage makeup, and a demure smile that hides a curious heart. Tramp, on the other hand, is every bit the charming rebel tousled hair, scruffy beard, leather jacket, and that irresistible “bad boy with a soft side” vibe.
This transformation perfectly captures the essence of their personalities the blend of upper-class grace and streetwise charm that made us fall in love with their spaghetti-kiss romance.
2. Pumba – The Life of the Party Turned Human
What would Pumba look like as a person? Think: your favorite uncle who brings karaoke energy to every family event.
Shannon gives Pumba a human makeover that emphasizes warmth, humor, and big lovable energy. He’s got a round, jolly face, a Hawaiian shirt stretched over a dad bod, and a laugh that probably echoes through the room. This version of Pumba looks like he gives great advice — and never turns down a second helping of dessert.
“His whole vibe is pure joy. I wanted that to shine through in his human form,” — Shannon
3. Marie – The Aristocat with Style & Sass
From The Aristocats, Marie is the picture of poise but with a sprinkle of sass. Shannon reimagines her as a confident young woman with a keen fashion sense and a no-nonsense attitude.
She’s dressed in pastel pinks and crisp whites, adorned with a big hair bow and matching heels. But don’t let her sweet look fool you her facial expression says she’s not afraid to speak her mind. This Marie gives off major “don’t mess with me” energy all while looking fabulous.
4. Shere Khan – The Sophisticated Villain
Shere Khan isn’t just a villain he’s the villain. Shannon captures this with a sleek, intimidating human design that radiates danger and class.
Picture a tall man in a perfectly tailored suit, tiger-striped accents subtly worked into his wardrobe. His sharp eyes feel like they can see into your soul, and his posture exudes confidence and power. This is the kind of character you’d see as a Bond villain calculated, composed, and cool as ice.
“Shere Khan was a challenge, but I wanted to really lean into his commanding presence,” — Shannon
5. The Lion King Cast – Royal Heritage, Humanized
Recreating The Lion King characters as humans is no small feat, but Shannon nails it with artistic flair and emotional depth.
- Mufasa becomes a wise, regal father figure — draped in earthy tones, a golden crown motif in his jewelry, and a kind but serious face.
- Simba is reimagined as a spirited teenager with messy hair, a hopeful gaze, and lion-emblem accessories.
- Nala is graceful and grounded — perhaps the most modern in style, with a fierce yet gentle expression.
This entire humanized cast brings new life to one of Disney’s most legendary tales
6. Scooby & Blue – Childhood Icons Grown Up
I didn’t really see it as something I wanted to do for work until recently, though. I believed I could do it, but being an artist sounded lonely to me.”
Initially, Shannon was working towards a career in law. “That’s why I studied law instead; it’s something I’m passionate about and I knew I would get to work with and help people,” she explained.
“Well, a year into working at the Department of Justice, my TikTok and Instagram started growing all of a sudden and I realized I could be an artist and also be part of a community if I focused on building up my socials, so that’s the plan! I’m really trying not to use too many exclamation marks, lol.”
7. Sebastian – The Charismatic Showman
Sebastian, the charismatic and music-loving crab from Disney’s The Little Mermaid, has found his way into Shannon Tuscanylee’s vibrant artwork. Known for his catchy tunes and amusing personality, Sebastian brings a joyful and lively element to Shannon’s collection.
Shannon’s artistic talent shines as she captures Sebastian’s charming demeanor and expressive features. From his signature red shell and large pincers to his mischievous smile, Shannon’s portrayal of Sebastian perfectly captures his animated spirit.
“Sebastian is such a fun character to bring to life on the canvas,” Shannon explains. “His energetic personality and love for music make him a delightful subject to paint. I wanted to capture his lively essence and the joy he brings to the story.”
Through her artwork, Shannon pays tribute to Sebastian’s role in The Little Mermaid.
8. Timon – The Street-Smart Sidekick
“Designing characters is probably my absolute favorite thing,” Shannon said. “It’s sort of an exciting challenge to think about who you want a character to be and then to translate that into shapes, colors and stylistic choices, etc; problem-solving so that another viewer could get a solid read of who that character is.”
“It’s tricky to take elements people will recognize (like symbols or shape language) and apply them in a way that is effective without doing something stereotypical or uninspired. That’s not to say I always get it right, of course. That’s the fun of it! I always have something to learn.”
9. Stitch & Angel – Punk Rock Soulmates
“I didn’t practice them because they weren’t fun to me and as a result, I ended up with repetitive “same face syndrome” designs. But then I remembered something to inspire some more diverse human designs, which would also make them more fun for me to make!”
That’s when Shannon discovered her love for Anthropomorphization. “When I was a kid in my DeviantArt days, I saw other artists re-imagining characters I enjoyed, sometimes as humans (and sometimes as, uhh, ponies),” she said.
10. Chinese Crested – The Fashion-Forward Surprise Star
“Those works were novel because they were familiar, but also because they made me wonder how I would’ve approached the design if it was my work. It was also cool to engage with the artists, sharing our ideas and requesting other beloved characters.”
“I started making my own because animal designs have such varied shapes and proportions to inspire my humans. I also realized I didn’t have to worry so much about seeming derivative because part of the fun is seeing different illustrators’ interpretations; that it’s a challenge anyone can participate in.”
Final Thoughts: The Art of Transformation
What makes Shannon Tuscanylee’s work so powerful isn’t just her artistic talent it’s her empathy, humor, and emotional intelligence. She doesn’t just redraw characters she rebuilds their spirit in human form, with a perfect mix of personality and creativity.
“It’s a fun challenge to take a non-human character and redesign it in a way that still feels emotionally honest. I love finding that balance,” — Shannon
Her love for anthropomorphization (turning animals or objects into human-like characters) allows her to connect with fans and creators alike sparking conversations, nostalgia, and plenty of laughter.
Follow the Artist: Shannon Tuscanylee
See more of her amazing transformations and original character designs:
- Instagram – @shannontuscanylee
- TikTok, Etsy, and full portfolio coming soon!
Which Disney Character Transformation Was Your Favorite?
Let us know in the comments!
Which reimagined character made you smile, laugh, or do a double-take?
