Student shells out $3,000 to become real-life mermaid (photos)

A student has spent thousands of dollars on becoming a real-life mermaid after being inspired to look like Disney princess Ariel when she met The Little Mermaid as a child.

Corrine Hinton, 22, has shelled out at least $3,000 on mermaid costumes to build herself a ‘double life’ as Mermaid Corrine.

She has spent hundreds of hours in a pool learning how to swim with a fish-like fin and now appears to look so realistic that she is using her obsession to make cash – as an actor for children’s birthday parties.

Corrine, from Easton in Pennsylvania, said she has been obsessed with mermaids ever since she met Disney character Ariel when she was seven-years-old.

Environmental studies student Corrine now spends her spare time dressing up as a mermaid and even meets up with other like-minded enthusiasts, who swim together in fresh water springs and pose for photos.

Corrine said: 

I met Ariel when I was younger and that just sparked everything for me. As soon as we met and I saw her in real life I knew what I wanted to do. It felt like I was meeting a celebrity and from then on I wanted to be just like that person. To date I’ve spent about $3,000 on costumes. My most expensive tail cost $1,000 on its own.

I suppose it is a double life that I lead and I am proud of it. There’s a place called Dutch Springs nearby where lots of us meet up to swim, take photos and live for a while as a mermaid.

Corrine, who currently owns three different mermaid tails, set up the @themaskedmermaid Instagram account dedicated to her hobby in 2017.

She now has over 1,300 followers who flock to her page to take a look at magical photos and videos of Corrine and her mermaid pals.

Her feed is filled with photos and videos of action shots in the water, underwater swims and typical mermaid poses for the camera.

Corrine’s hobby has also led to employment and even takes bookings to appear at children’s birthday parties and charity events in and around northern Virginia.

My dream job is to work in an aquarium. 

I am proud of what I have achieved, getting the community together like I have. It’s so nice to be able to meet up with other people who love it as much as I do.