Sleeping Beauty proposal creator flooded with romantic requests

It’s been viewed tens of millions of times, but the Brisbane creator of the Sleeping Beauty movie proposal that’s warming hearts across the world says it’s likely to be a one-off.

THE most talked about wedding proposal in the world is the work of a 25-year-old Brisbane illustrator.

Kayla Coombs, who grew up in Moorooka, created the Sleeping Beauty movie proposal that has gone viral with tens of millions of hits online within a few days.

The highly-inventive, heartwarming proposal has lifted the spirits and captured the hearts of people around the globe and Kayla has been flooded with requests from people hoping to recreate their own special storybook moment.

Kayla Coombs worked on the proposal for six months in between other jobs. Picture: Tim Carrafa

The scientist turned artist took six months to rework the characters of Sleeping Beauty and Prince Charming with the faces of American Lee Loechler and his high school sweetheart Sthuthi David.

Sthuthi was blown away when she recognised her own face on the screen at a showing of her favourite Disney movie. The movie theatre was filled with family and friends and when Prince Charming brought out a ring to propose to his beauty he threw it out into the cinema audience. Lee pretended to grab it and got down on one knee to ask the love of his life for her hand in marriage.

“I’m pretty sure this piece of work will be a one-off. It took months between my every day work to make it happen. The idea came from Lee who is a film maker.

The happy couple Lee Loechler and Sthuthi David. Picture: Instagram

I had never met him but he loved my artwork on Instagram and he emailed me. I was excited to be part of such a creative and hopelessly romantic idea. I hope I get to meet the happy couple one day,” Kayla, the former All Hallows pupil said.

Kayla is a freelance illustrator now based in Melbourne.

“I am a Brissie girl but I came to Melbourne on a scholarship to study chemistry. I got my degree and started working as an analytical scientist but it just didn’t fulfil that creative need I had,” she said.

Kayla says she cannot believe the interest the proposal has gathered globally but says it is amazing to be part of something that is heartwarming and makes people happy in tough times.

The artist has created a children’s book called What Can We Be? It tells the story of a little girl who wants to be a firey just like her dad.

“Proceeds this month will go the bush fire appeal. Details are on my website. I wanted to do something to help,” she said.