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Disney reportedly darkens Princess Tiana’s skin in ‘Wreck-It-Ralph’ sequel after complaints

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Princess Tiana (268454)
Princess Tiana

After complaints that the skin tone of Black Princess Tiana seemed “light” to some, Disney went back to the drawing board and made her look “more Black,” reports the Huffington Post. The complaints came after the famed studio released some teasers for the new “Ralph Breaks the Internet” movie.

Following the outcry, the studio darkened her skin and widened her nose so she looks more like the animated character appeared in 2009′s “The Princess and the Frog,” reported the Wall Street Journal last week.  Back in August, fans noticed that in a scene with other Disney princesses in the “Wreck-It Ralph” sequel, Tiana’s features appeared more Eurocentric than in previous promos. Some accused Disney of whitewashing the character.

As the backlash mounted, Disney animators met with Anika Noni Rose, who voices Tiana, and the Black advocacy group Color of Change. The effort prompted substantial changes in Tiana’s appearance as the film Nov. 21 opening nears. Color of Change hailed Disney’s agreement to re-render Tiana as a “victory” for the Black community. In a statement (per the Journal), Color of Change wrote: “Disney’s decision to restore Princess Tiana’s image to that of an unapologetically Black princess with full lips, dark skin and dark hair in ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2’ is a victory for Color Of Change members, Black children and their parents, and Black audiences who want to see the variety of shades, shapes and sizes of Black characters accurately represented in the arts.”

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