Disney just restored Princess Tiana’s original skin tone amidst claims of colorism in the Wreck-It Ralph 2 trailer
It appears Disney is listening to critics, making a very necessary correction to its depiction of Princess Tiana in the upcoming film Wreck It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet. The studio was called out for colorism in August after an official still from the movie showed Tiana looking noticeably different than she did in The Princess and the Frog.
Specifically, Tiana’s skin appeared significantly lighter than the character’s original 2009 depiction. Additionally, it appeared as though her nose had been altered to appear narrower. Basically, Tiana had been white-washed.
The (justified) backlash was swift, with many calling the studio out for colorism, and the civil rights group Color Of Change starting a petition that requested the studio return the character to her original form. And it appears Disney listened. The Wall Street Journal reported that the filmmakers reanimated the scenes featuring Tiana, and the latest trailer features her looking very much like the princess we know and love.
Color Of Change president Rashad Robinson took to Twitter to celebrate the news that Tiana’s appearance had been restored.
Big news. Because of COC members and convos with @DisneyAnimation, Princess Tiana has been restored to her original depiction. Now when Black girls watch #WreckItRalph2, they’ll see Tiana and other princess of color that actually looks like them on screen #BlackGirlMagic pic.twitter.com/4ZPJm4aZyz
— Rashad Robinson (@rashadrobinson) September 20, 2018
While it’s extremely disheartening that Disney altered Tiana’s appearance in the first place, we’re glad the studio listened to fans and ultimately did the right thing. Because representation matters.
Ralph Breaks the Internet is slated to hit theaters on November 21st.