The Latina Disney princess we've been waiting for is here in 'Elena of Avalor'
"I"ll take charge like the leader I know I can be, and take care of all those who are counting on me!"
The new Disney Channel original animated series Elena of Avalor is premiering this month, and its protagonist is Disney's first Latina princess.
Actress Aimee Carrero voices the titular character Elena, a princess recently released from an amulet she spent 41 years trapped in, thanks to an evil sorceress. In the body of a 16-year-old, Elena is tasked with taking care of her family, ruling the kingdom and restoring it to greatness.
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"What I love most about Elena is she's her own hero," Carrero said in an interview with ABC News. "There's no Prince Charming, so I hope people at home watching will just be inspired her sense of self, her confidence and her leadership."
Elena of Avalor is technically a spinoff of a storyline from Disney Junior show Sofia the First. Like in Sofia the First, Elena of Avalor features original musical numbers.
Sofia the First faced some controversy when it first aired for billing the fair-skinned, blue-eyed princess as Latina. Elena of Avalor not only features a proud Latina princess, but the setting of the show is inspired by various Hispanic cultures.
"Disney's been in my family for a very long time and just to see my own images represented – my own culture represented – is really special and I hope it will be for everybody watching," Carrero, who is Dominican and Puerto Rican, told ABC News.
Elena of Avalor will premiere on July 22 at 7:00 p.m. on Disney Channel.
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Sophie was a Viral Content Intern for the Watercooler channel. More writing and other stuff by Sophie can be found at www.sophiehirsh.com.
