Disney's first Latina princess, Sofia, will make her TV debut Nov. 18. Although we've known about the movie for a while, Disney has recently confirmed her ethnicity.
The revelation has sparked some positive reactions on Twitter, but it has also generated tweets critical of Sofia's appearance -- particularly her light complexion, blue eyes and auburn hair.
Disappointment: Disney unveils first Latina princess who DOESN'T look like the vast majority of Latinas nbclatino.com/2012/10/18/dis… #fail #latism— Natali Fani-Gonzalez (@natalifani) October 18, 2012
Is it me, or does Disney's first Latina princess look... white? img2.timeinc.net/ew/i/2012/09/2…— Samantha Grieder (@SamGrieder) October 18, 2012
She don’t look very Laaatinnnna. She look white. RT @nbcnews: Disney set to unveil first Latina princess, Sofia bit.ly/RHkSFZ— Bren (@brenface) October 18, 2012
The forthcoming Disney Channel TV movie Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess tells the story of her entry into a royal family. Disney Junior describes the movie as such: "After Sofia's mother marries the King of Enchancia, Sofia must learn how to act like a proper princess in time for her debut ball while overcoming her new step-sister's jealousy and the bumbling Royal Sorcerer's evil scheme to take over the kingdom."
Update: Meanwhile on Facebook, people are using personal stories to discuss the topic in this thread:
In the trailer and photos on Disney Junior, we see Sofia's mom, Miranda, has a darker complexion.
"She is Latina," Entertainment Weekly reported executive producer Jamie Mitchell as saying. "It's sort of a matter-of-fact situation rather than an overt thing."
Disney had announced the movie and subsequent of 2013 TV series back in December 2011 and made no mention of the characters' ethnic backgrounds.
Modern Family's Ariel Winter will voice Sofia, while Grey's Anatomy's Sara Ramirez will voice her mother.
Disney's previous minority princesses include Tiana (African American), Mulan (East Asian), Pocahontas (Native American) and Jasmine (Arabian).
What do you make of the criticisms people are making about Sofia's appearance? Let us know below.
