Disney Modified Princess Tiana’s Image In RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET After Backlash

By Cori Burcham I September 25, 2018

In the first trailer for the follow-up Wreck-It-Ralph film, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Disney Animation Studios received criticism for their depiction of Princess Tiana, the first black Disney princess. To the dismay of fans, Princess Tiana appeared in the trailer with Eurocentric features, curlier hair, and lighter skin, giving her a very different appearance from when she was first seen in her standalone film, The Princess and the Frog (2009). 

In response to Tiana’s depiction in the trailer, many fans spoke out about their concerns through social media. One fact that seemed to be unanimous was the importance Tiana serves as a pioneer of representation for African-Amerian girls, since Tiana is one of the few princesses of color and currently remains the only black Disney princess. Color of Change, a civil rights nonprofit organization, decided to write a petition to Walt Disney Animation Studios and even met with the studio in order to discuss the issue.

The voices of fans and the efforts made by the organization Color of Change seem to have paid off since Disney returned to Tiana’s animation before the release of Ralph Breaks the Internet in November and restored her image to make her character appear more like herself. 

Teenvogue released a statement from Brandi Collins-Dexter, the senior campaign director of Color of Change, discussing Disney’s decision to restore Tiana’s image:     

“Disney’s decision to restore Princess Tiana’s image to that of an unapologetically Black princess with full lips, dark skin and dark hair in Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 is a victory for Color Of Change members, Black children and their parents, and Black audiences who want to see the variety of shades, shapes and sizes of Black characters accurately represented in the arts … By redrawing Princess Tiana — Disney’s first and only Black princess — in Ralph Breaks the Internetas she was in Princess and the Frog, Disney has shown its commitment to addressing the concerns of Color Of Change members and the Black community. Disney is an incredibly powerful and influential company and its decisions have far-reaching implications for other companies that provide entertainment for children and adults around the world.”

The latest Ralph Breaks the Internet trailer featuring Tiana’s restored animation is now online. Ralph Breaks the Internet premieres in theaters on November 21st! 

[Originally published on Toonado.com September 2018]

https://toonado.com/movies/disney-modified-princess-tianas-image-in-ralph-breaks-the-internet-after-backlash-a670