Change.org launches petition to keep ‘Merida’ like a ‘real girl’

(L to R) “Merida” Before and After 

“Merida” is the animated star of Disney’s “Brave” and will be coronated as an official “Disney Princess” on May 11. On May 7, ahead of the coronation ceremony at Walt Disney World, Change.org launched a petition to keep “Merida” in line with the original look of the Disney character.

Apparently, the initial design of the Disney character was in line with the animated film star’s look of a girl with a fuller face and figure to match. But, somehow “Merida” got a makeover and now looks like a typical, unrealistic girl like that of a Barbie Doll. The new “Merida” is skinner with a voluptuous appearance and this has left quite a few people rather angry.

The Change.org petition started by, Carolyn Danckaert, co-founder of A Mighty Girl, quotes writer and co-director, Brenda Chapman, from an interview with Pixar Portal as stating, "Because of marketing, little girls gravitate toward princess products, so my goal was to offer up a different kind of princess … a stronger princess that both mothers and daughters could relate to, so mothers wouldn't be pulling their hair out when their little girls were trying to dress or act like this princess. Instead they'd be like, ‘Yeah, you go girl!’”

According to the petition, “The redesign of Merida in advance of her official induction to the Disney Princess collection does a tremendous disservice to the millions of children for whom Merida is an empowering role model who speaks to girls' capacity to be change agents in the world rather than just trophies to be admired. Moreover, by making her skinnier, sexier and more mature in appearance, you are sending a message to girls that the original, realistic, teenage-appearing version of Merida is inferior; that for girls and women to have value -- to be recognized as true princesses -- they must conform to a narrow definition of beauty.”

The “Disney: Say No to the Merida Makeover, Keep Our Hero Brave!” petition currently has 27,705 signatures. So, it would seem that there truly are plenty of people looking to keep “Merida” in line with her original, realistic appearance.