Disney Merida ‘Brave’ Makeover Defended By Executives As ‘Gussied Up’
The Disney Merida Brave makeover is being defended by Disney executives.
As previously reported by The Inquisitr, the Disney Merida makeover was for the Disney Princess Merida “coronation” event. But critics, including the writer of Brave, called the Disney Merida makeover “blant sexism.”
The original Disney Princess Merida was hailed as a positive role model for girls because she was independent, active and outdoorsy. It’s possible Disney could have claimed Princess Merida represented an older version of the movie Merida, but Merida was already age 16.
In preparation for her “coronation” as a Disney princess, the Disney Princess Merida makeover gave the protagonist of Brave a thinner waist, a bigger chest, and outfitted Merida a more “princess-worthy” dress. This new Disney Merida was also painted up and had her wild red hair tamed, and her bow and arrow was replaced with a sash around her waist. Although, obviously the props would probably be back for other images.
Catherine Connors, blogger and editor in chief of Disney Interactive Family, defended the Disney Merida makeover:
“First, because the original Merida hasn’t, actually, been made over: there are a few pieces of iterative artwork out there that were created for the purpose of celebrating her coronation, but these are fancified depictions of Merida, not a new Merida (who in any case is defined by far more important things than what she wears.) … That image doesn’t represent a ‘new’ Merida replacing an ‘old’ Merida: it’s just another iteration of Merida, who is much, much more than just red curls and a green dress. The gussied up Merida on the coronation invitation is Merida gussied up for one of the most important events of her princess career. That she’s a little more sparkly for the party is not a heresy against her independent and spirited self – I consider myself independent and spirited, and I wore the sparkliest gown that I could find when I got married, because of course I did.”
Do you agree with the Disney Princess Merida makeover?
