In the era of TikTok, a platform known for its rapid dissemination of ideas, one content creator took to the stage to criticize Disney’s portrayal of princesses, igniting a firestorm of debate. The video, shared by user Gangbanger_O, has amassed a staggering 5.3 million views and counting. What was the core issue? Disney’s unrealistic depiction of its princesses, which some argue conveys an inappropriate message to young girls.
Gangbanger_O’s video showcased various Disney princesses, including Ariel, Moana, Elsa, Belle, Aurora, and Snow White, all sporting petite, upturned noses that defy the norms of realistic facial features. This was juxtaposed with a spotlight on Disney’s villains, such as Jafar, Maleficent, Ursula, Clayton, and Mother Gothel, who were depicted with larger, more lifelike noses.
Accompanied by the haunting lyrics of “Remember You” by Adventure Time – “Marceline, is it just you and me in the wreckage of the world? That must be so confusing for a little girl” – the video raised eyebrows and questions about Disney’s artistic choices.
Another content creator, Robin Reaction, tackled the same subject in a video that has now surpassed 5.1 million views. TikTok, the platform where these videos went viral, has a knack for amplifying messages.
Robin Reaction began their viral video with a provocative question, “How much nose is a Disney princess allowed to have?” They delved into the historical evolution of Disney princesses’ noses, highlighting the minimalistic approach used, even in earlier depictions.
The video continued, “Going back to the earliest princesses, we can see their noses consist of a hint of a nostril, and then, depending on the angle, also like a slight curve. This is in stark contrast to the women in these movies, who are depicted as evil and therefore have to be ugly. One of the easiest ways to tell if a woman was going to be evil or very unf***able is to see if they have a nose that actually resembles a nose.”
Clearly, Disney enthusiasts are perturbed by the fact that princesses are portrayed with petite noses while villains are given a more natural facial appearance.
Robin Reaction added, “This lack of noses continued all the way through the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s, and when non-white princesses started to get introduced, they got the same lack of nose treatment.” The video then showcased images of non-white princesses like Pocahontas, Mulan, and Tiana.
“When 3D animation was introduced, they had to find new ways for their characters to technically have noses that take up as little space as possible. And I think it’s worth noting that Disney knows how to draw extremely attractive people with defined noses; they’ve been doing it to men for a long time.”
Robin Reaction concluded, “They just choose to keep women in this very narrow definition of beauty.”
Interestingly, male characters in Disney movies are depicted with more realistic noses, potentially giving young girls an inaccurate impression of what constitutes a normal human body.
The revelation has sparked a heated debate online, with Disney fans and critics engaging in a passionate conversation about body image and representation in animated films.
As this conversation continues to gain momentum, it remains to be seen whether Disney will address these concerns and consider a more diverse and realistic approach to its character designs.
In a world where even the most beloved classics are scrutinized for their messaging, Disney now finds itself at the center of a growing cultural conversation about the impact of its artistic choices.
