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14 Stunning Photos Show What Disney Princesses Would Look Like If They Were African American
It would be hard to find a little girl who's never wanted to be a Disney princess. Or any pretty princess for that matter. Unfortunately, our media is not very inclusive and the majority of famous characters in children's movies and books fit a very stiff mold that not all children can relate to. But as our society is becoming more progressive, so is the media and art. Hairstylist LaChanda Gatson decided to redefine the image of a traditional princess in a stunning photo series that showcase elegant, colorful and brave African American princesses.
Regis and Kahran, the duo behind CreativeSoul Photography, produced a series of 14 photographs showcasing princesses with "[their] own dash of style, culture and swag". Bored Panda reached out to the photographer duo and they provided a brief explanation behind the photo ideas. "The Disney character series was created by hairstylist LaChanda Gatson and child photographers CreativeSoul Photography," they explained how this project was a collaboration between creative minds.
"The goal is to inspire more girls around the world to start seeing themselves as regal princesses," the photographers explained their creative idea. We could definitely spot some similarities with the iconic Disney princesses so we decided to guess which ones these beautiful girls might represent! Although we might've been wrong in guessing which princess from the photoshoot might be related to a Disney princess, so let us know in the comments if you think otherwise! Scroll down and see the stunning photos for yourself. Or, if you like the artistic photographs so much you wish you could frame them on the wall, you can snag a print or two by clicking here.
More info: creativesoulphoto.com | Facebook | Instagram | Facebook | Instagram
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#1
Princess Rapunzel
Shanelle Cyr-Moore 5 years ago
Gooooo Princess! 👸🏾 She’s so regal, and poised. I LOVE HER! ! ❤️
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#2
Princess Jasmine
Robert Alberti 5 years ago
Rather than "would look like if they were African American," which presumes a) that these fictional characters AREN'T black, b) that these fictional characters are somehow American, and c) that not- black is a default state for them, I might suggest "Disney characters portrayed by young black models."
MsClarinut 5 years ago
Very cute. Princess Jasmine was already a minority princess though. She's Arabian. Important for those little girls to have representation too.
Cold Contagious 5 years ago
She is marvelous! Everything I would expect a princess Jasmine to be.
The photographers also revealed that people's response has been great so far! "The social media response has been amazing with currently over 75,000 reshares on our Facebook post and several other pages," they told us.
Regis and Kahran see themselves as artists "obsessed with unique, visual storytelling". The two connected over their passion for photography and capturing precious moments. From that, their loves stemmed and the couple "fell head over heels in love with one another" and eventually it resulted in them creating CreativeSoul Photography.
They've been in the game for over 7 years now and have worked with hundreds of children, families and brands to create stunning visual tales. Their "holistic approach to capturing one-of-a-kind moments has allowed their work to be featured in Essence magazine, Munaluchi Bride, MochaKid magazine, on The Real daytime talk show, on the OWN network, and more."
#3
Princess Tiana
Csaba Hegedűs 5 years ago
Wow, I guess everyone wanted to see how an originally African American 'princess' would look like as an African American...
Lola Pagan 5 years ago
isnt she already african american tho? or is she just -insert shrug and random noise-
MsClarinut 5 years ago
Love this dress! This character is no stretch though. Tiana is African American!
Keisha Butler 3 years ago
First of all... yall keep saying Tiana was black, ha, she spend most of the movie as a FROG... Disney FAIL.
Cybele Spanjaard 4 years ago
The outfit designers are amazing.. forget Disney, these are just wonderful portrayals of lovely dark coloured skin girl models.
#4
Princess Cinderella
Ranay Dollarhide 5 years ago
🤣😂🤣😂, funny; but yeah. Pretty sure you’re right
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Cicely Hill 5 years ago
right like who fixing to clean the fireplace or clean your clothes I'm going to ball
Jegede ADEJOKE 5 years ago
Hmmm....nope.I cant see Cinderella relate into an African setting.Too frail
MsClarinut 5 years ago
Frail? She's the badass who puts up with an evil stepmother for years. I actually think the tale could be re-imagined in an American 1800s setting. Cinderella as slave to an evil white plantation family falls in love with a handsome, racially accepting white boy of a neighboring plantation and they run off and have a forbidden bi-racial marriage.
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#5
Princess Pocahontas
Cold Contagious 5 years ago
I have this nagging question in my head, would Pocahontas wear pounds and pounds of jewelry especially if she still filled the same roll as a guide among other things? I have to say that I think not. Sure I expect the fundamental change to make the "princesses" unique individuals, but there are still too much jewelry and the crown is waayyy over the top here. Other than that, she is beautiful.
Lin Baum 5 years ago
I understand the concept, but Native Americans never had titles like "princess".
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Cybele Spanjaard 4 years ago
I do not relate ANY of these photos to Disney..they tre all fashion shots of wonderful attire with tradional basics.
MsClarinut 5 years ago
Very cool costume! This is another one that already is a princess of color. Native American.
Billy Crawford 5 years ago
In her royal wear beautiful nothing over the top just right for her moment
#6
Princess Nala
nickymiST.elliefreak 5 years ago
Except for the dress, because if it's made of real feathers then...I mean, it's still pretty!
#7
Princess Elsa
#8
Princess Moana
Kevin Bean 5 years ago
The dress is absolutely beautiful, and she looks regal in it, but I don't think this works for Moana. Moana was a very active princess, fighting a lot of her fights for herself. She'd barely be able to move in this dress let alone fight!
Alleen Chittick 5 years ago
These are beautiful young girls, however Disney does include a wide variety of beauties girls in its films Moana was played by a Girl born in Hawaii, princess Jasmine although born in London...her mom was born in Uganda was of Indian Gajarti descent, princess Shuri was of Guyanese-British decent. So am a little confused the photographer implying that these princess were “not” multi cultural when they obviously were. I am NOT saying that these girls aren’t more than beautiful enough to portray any Disney princess but the implication was set out that Disney didn’t use a variet of cultures or was it that they weren’t all from America.
MsClarinut 5 years ago
Yes, exactly. Disney has hit a wide variety of cultures besides British since the '90s.
Load More Replies... Cybele Spanjaard 4 years ago
The work that has gone into creating the skirt and simple top is amazing with great fabric
#9
Princess Snow White
Michael Allanson 5 years ago
Don't take this wrong, she's beautiful but she's going to need a new name.
MsClarinut 5 years ago
Yes, I'm all for more minority princesses, but Snow White is clearly an old English tale. The opening of the fairy tale is the queen wanting a child with skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood, and hair as black as ebony.
Load More Replies... Cold Contagious 5 years ago
Gorgeous, love the addition of the pattern to the dress and the headdress is fabulous! The addition of the headdress and it's vibrant red color and woven texture, with the flowers, red apples, and large emerald cut Ruby looking gem stone in the center of her forehead is just perfect for the traditional role of Snow White, while updating and making her outfit more bold and vibrant along with the added jewels on her dress.
Cybele Spanjaard 4 years ago
The only Disney aspect is the puffed sleeves and an apple.....she models well but not with too much joy..
#10
Princess Anna
Megan Fossi 5 years ago
Kaylee is that you?!? If so this is stinky cheese iykyk
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Maddie Painter 5 years ago
Lovely but as I said before on Elsa's, Anna is technically not a Disney princess because Frozen is it's own franchise.
#11
Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)
Lorene Gross 5 years ago
This is amazing...I like this one the best. The color against her skin and the crown on her head. Love the full thick natural 'fro...this is simply the best of the bunch and Ariel is my favorite Princess just not the way they had her styled. I think that was my least favorite look.
Alyssa Cronin 5 years ago
I love this one too. I instantly saw who the character was. I wouldn't have guessed Ariel without being told. It honestly made me think of the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland.
Load More Replies... Cybele Spanjaard 4 years ago
My least favourite outfit as if a mum has thrown together some left over fabrics and borrowed some grown up jewellery. The child is lovley.
#12
Princess Shuri
Mika Kaili 5 years ago
Wait...why was she "re-imagined" as an African princess? I mean...she's already an African princess. Screenshot...7038d8.png 
Eliška Hůlková 4 years ago
And she wears a lot of stunning africa-inspired dress.
Load More Replies... Dorothy Parker 5 years ago
This is a beautiful photo of a beautiful young woman.. Too often media doesn't make an effort to properly light people of color with richer, deeper skin tones. They often are left to disappear into the background. THIS is how you do it.
the gay boogeyman 2 years ago
i didn’t even think abt it that way but i guess shuri IS a disney princess lol
#13
Princess Belle
Cold Contagious 5 years ago
That's the exact word that immediately popped into my head.
Load More Replies... Cybele Spanjaard 4 years ago
I suppoose some pretty swinging skirt appeals to all little and some big girls but Disney? Nah.
Alonia Thomas 5 years ago
Impossible and dumbfounded this was 300- 400 years before they enslaved the africcans. Leave Belle ass in her oppressive deamenor as is, research history more wiser... Embarrassing disgrace ass
#14
Princess Ariel
Kevin Bean 5 years ago
Other than the color of her hair, not a single thing about this dress says Ariel.
Cold Contagious 5 years ago
Very pretty girl and she looks like she's on the verge of a smile. Her crown is very cute and the bodice of her dress is very pretty. From the waist down, I just don't know what they were thinking. Her hair reminds me of the Red Queen, but of course her head is normal size and she's still very pretty.
Alyssa Cronin 5 years ago
Yeah. The point of this was to showcase them as African American girls. I feel like it defeats that point when she was given a flaming red wig that is clearly not her own hair and given few defining non-racial features of Ariel in her costume.
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Michelle Thomas 4 years ago
Came across this post, look at the beautiful black princesses, only if they were on Disney. ❤️❤️❤️Absolutely Beautiful 🥰
Cybele Spanjaard 4 years ago
Very striking ..only thing in common would be the colour of the hair..which here is stunning with the outfit.
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What do you think ?
chi-wei shen 5 years ago
Could anyone explain to me why the title says "African American" and not simply "African"? In the introduction they say: "The goal is to inspire more girls around the world..." America isn't the entire world.
PeachPossum 5 years ago
The photographers are African American. Their studio is in the state of Georgia in the USA.
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Tres D 5 years ago
Now think of the reaction if someone created a story line where you imagined what black characters would look like if they were white. We'd be reading about cultural appropriation and how inappropriate it is.
Brina B 4 years ago
While what you've said does ring some truth, it's also about the fact that for so long we weren't represented. It's just nice for us to see. And both Disney films w/ black casts ( lion king and the princess & the Frog) we spend most or all of the movie as an animal rather than human. Just let us have this.
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Idaaoyama 5 years ago
Reverse cultural appropriation? It's usually white people who are not allowed to dress up as Africans. But somehow when it's the inverse, it's suddenly beautiful, stunning, empowering, and oh-so-right to do!
JessRS 4 years ago
I don't think this is in any way cultural appropriation, they're using what seems to me African garb in different styles, and they look stunning.
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chi-wei shen 5 years ago
Could anyone explain to me why the title says "African American" and not simply "African"? In the introduction they say: "The goal is to inspire more girls around the world..." America isn't the entire world.
PeachPossum 5 years ago
The photographers are African American. Their studio is in the state of Georgia in the USA.
Load More Replies... Tres D 5 years ago
Now think of the reaction if someone created a story line where you imagined what black characters would look like if they were white. We'd be reading about cultural appropriation and how inappropriate it is.
Brina B 4 years ago
While what you've said does ring some truth, it's also about the fact that for so long we weren't represented. It's just nice for us to see. And both Disney films w/ black casts ( lion king and the princess & the Frog) we spend most or all of the movie as an animal rather than human. Just let us have this.
Load More Replies... Idaaoyama 5 years ago
Reverse cultural appropriation? It's usually white people who are not allowed to dress up as Africans. But somehow when it's the inverse, it's suddenly beautiful, stunning, empowering, and oh-so-right to do!
JessRS 4 years ago
I don't think this is in any way cultural appropriation, they're using what seems to me African garb in different styles, and they look stunning.
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