Disney is redrawing Princess Tiana after fans accused them of whitewashing her character

Walt Disney has decided to re-animate scenes featuring Princess Tiana after widespread accusations that they had ‘whitewashed’ her character.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Disney heeded the criticism and changed Tiana, from Princess and the Frog, to better reflect her ethnicity.

When new images of Tiana from Ralph Breaks the Internet were released, fans noticed that Tiana’s skin was shades lighter than she was in 2008, her corkscrew curls were smoothed down and her nose was drawn small and narrow.

Here’s a side-by-side of the two Tianas:

Picture:

As you can see, it’s hard to miss the changes, and Disney was accused of whitewashing her character and encouraging colourism.

People quickly pointed out the discrepancy in the way Tiana was drawn.

However, in a turn of events, Disney listened to its fans and restored Princess Tiana to her original, glorious self. And people are here for it.

According to WSJ, Disney received feedback from Anika Noni Rose, who voiced the original Tiana, as well advocacy group Color of Change.

People are pointing out the power of social media campaigns.

In a statement, Color of Change president Rashad Robinson wrote:

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," Brandi wrote in the statement.

By redrawing Princess Tiana — Disney’s first and only Black princess — in Ralph Breaks the Internet as 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 did not immediately return a request for comment.

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