Disney Has A New Princess…

Her name is Sophia the First of Enchancia and she is creating a stir, according to this article I read here.  The article discusses the fact that Disney executives have comfirmed that she is Latina most people in the article thinks that she does not appear to be Latina.  Here is a picture of the new princess.

I will say in my honest opinion when I first saw her, I didn’t think she was Latina and this was before I read the article and even now I still don’t think she looks Latina.  I did however find this statement on the Facebook page for Sophia from the show’s co-executive producer/ writer – “Hi everyone! I developed and wrote the “Sofia the First” movie and am head writer of the upcoming series. I’m very excited for Sofia’s “royal debut” and wanted to share a few thoughts about the show. This is the story of an ordinary girl who becomes a princess and learns that being truly royal comes from within. She goes on a lot of fun adventures but also has to figure out how to get along with her new royal family and friends. It’s a world of fantasy and enchantment, but at the heart of the show are characters and stories that modern children can relate to. Princess Sofia is a mixed-heritage princess in a fairy-tale world. Her mother is originally from an enchanted kingdom inspired by Spain (Galdiz) and her birth father hailed from an enchanted kingdom inspired by Scandinavia. Sofia was born and raised in Enchancia, which is a make-believe “melting pot” kingdom patterned on the British Isles. Sofia considers herself a normal Enchancian girl like any other. Her mixed heritage and blended family are a reflection of what many children today experience.” – Craig Gerber

You can find the whole statement of the Facebook page, but after reading his statement I immediately wondered where the notion of the new Latina Princess came from?  I know as a woman of color I was so excited when Tiana was created.  I felt like my daughter finally had a princess that she could identify with.  I have learned though that my daughter likes all the Princesses she has been introduced to thus far.  She loved Princess and the Frog, but she also loves The Little Mermaid, Cinderella (which we just got two weeks ago), Tangled, Pocahontas and Belle.  I am almost certain that when she sees Mulan, Snow White, Jasmine and Aurora, she will love them as well.  She is waiting on pins and needles to see the Sophia debut and every time she has seen the preview she asks when can she see the show.  I think what I can relate to the most is what Mr. Gerber stated in his statement Sophia’s mixed heritage and blended family are a reflection of what many children experience today.  I am happy to see a new princess.  One that my daughter can also identify with because she is beautiful, smart, brave, a leader, diverse, and so much more great things that are beyond what she looks like or her race and that’s whats really important.  I also love that she is a younger princess, which is great for my kindergartener.  Check out the preview of the new princess below.