While historically Disney doesn’t exactly have the best rep for being inclusive or tolerant (Google Walt Disney—he was notttt the most chill guy when it came to anyone who was not white, Christian, and male), our favorite princess movies have really gotten their act together, especially more recently. But even before Disney set the world aflame by—gasp—having two male characters kiss, the princesses knew what the fuck was up. Like, even before we knew what feminism was or why we needed it in our lives, the Disney princesses were serving up a big ol’ slice of feminist pie in their movies. Not all of them—lookin’ at you, Princess “give up my best attribute in hopes of kissing a guy” Ariel—but a lot of them were woke af. So we’re taking the time to celebrate these animated feminist heroes. Below, the most feminist Disney princesses, in no particular order because we’re not about pitting women against each other (today).
1. Belle
Belle was a fucking G. Who knew women in 18th-century provincial France were already woke? I mean, this is the country that brought us Joan of Arc, so it all makes sense. Anyway, Belle was the original Strong Woman Who Don’t Need No Man™. When fuckboy suitors (ahem, Gaston) came calling, she didn’t let them or society pressure her into getting married so she could leave her father’s house and embark on an exciting career of cleaning the house and grocery shopping. She fought for her right to be left TF alone so she could read her books. Speaking of books, Belle was obvi smart AF, and you all know how we feel about smart women: we love them, the GOP hates them.
2. Tiana
Unlike the girls from your sorority whose highest aspirations were to obtain an MRS degree, Tiana dreams of opening her own business—a restaurant, no less. From what I’ve gathered from watching a shameless number of hours of Kitchen Nightmares and Bar Rescue, I know that opening a restaurant is the riskiest business venture there is. Tiana is not some rando with an Etsy jewelry shop—she is the real deal. She works two jobs to earn enough money to turn some random sugar mill into a restaurant, and we wholeheartedly respect her hustle. Also, despite all Naveen’s charm and obvious good looks, Tiana doesn’t fawn over him right away because she knows getting tangled up with a fuckboy is only going to hinder her dreams. Smart girl.
3. Megara
Meg is independent AF, almost aggressively so. She isn’t your damsel who needs to be rescued, and her only weakness—before Hercules comes along and fucks up her shit—is “weak ankles.” Which, incidentally, is the same answer I give in job interviews.
4. Jasmine
^I’m just gonna leave that there. Jasmine has fucking integrity. When random princes from far-away kingdoms come knocking, she is not impressed—if Jasmine gets married, she’s doing it for love and not for money or power. That is also what I tell my dad when he asks why I’m 25 and still single. Anyway, Jasmine isn’t afraid to speak her mind, even if her dad gets mad at her and an evil sorcerer almost kills her and the man she loves in the process. That takes a special kind of bravery. And while we are not down with the way women are too often seen as sex objects, we can understand why Jasmine would use her sexuality to distract the crazed psychopathic sorcerer-turned-genie who is trying to drown the guy she actually likes in a life-sized hourglass. It is a practice more commonly known as “working with what you’ve got.”
5. Mulan
Do I even have to explain it? Fine, I’ll do it. Mulan A) defies gender roles and joins the army even though doing so could get her killed B) is a fucking badass warrior C) FUCKING SAVES CHINA FROM A HUN INVASION SINGLE-HANDEDLY. Ya. Sorry Shiang and your band of (lovable) clowns. You ain’t shit. Mulan for Emperor! Ayayayay!
6. Elsa
For some reason I still don’t understand, it took until 2013 for a Disney princess to realize that it’s completely ridiculous to marry a guy she’s only known for a day. Like, way to be slow on the upkeep, Disney. Elsa is QUEEN which obviously demands respect. Because of her special powers, Elsa was brought down by her family for her entire life until one day she just said “fuck it, I can’t let the haters keep me down anymore” and went off on her own and built her own ice palace where she could do whatever the fuck she wanted. Is Elsa every feminist, and are Elsa’s parents and the kingdom in general an allegory for the patriarchy? Who’s to say? Well, me, and I’m saying yes.
7. Merida
Yeah we all know Brave as a movie was garbage, but at least it brought us Merida. This girl doesn’t care about fuckboys or doing “typical feminine” things—which we resent as a concept anyway because gender roles are bullshit. Merida is also super good at archery even though it’s a typical “male” sport and if her mom had her way, she’d be wearing dresses and attending etiquette classes or whatever women were “supposed” to do back then. Merida is basically the Scottish Katniss Everdeen, sans Hunger Games—only Merida is like, 12 years old, I think. She also does not give a single fuck about her appearance, despite having a gorg head of red hair, which is just another “fuck you” to the patriarchy and society’s beauty standards. I am here for it.
8. Pocahontas
Pocahontas is smart as hell and independent af—and no, I don’t mean that because her best friends are a raccoon and a tree. Our girl P-Money (K, I’ll stop) stands up to her dad who’s not an ordinary dad, he’s a cool dad the fucking chief. And I mean that not like how your dad calls everybody “chief” as a term of endearment, but in the way Native American people say it, which is more meaningful I think. Like, I’m afraid to ask my dad for money because I blew out my tire again—imagine asking him for the ability to make your own decisions and forge your own destiny. Yah, it’s a BFD. Pocahontas makes the cardinal mistake of falling for a racist white man, BUT at the end when she’s given the choice between living with racist-turned-bae John Smith or staying and helping her tribe, she chooses the later. Pocahontas probably invented the phrase “hoes before bros” because she’s a down-ass bitch. She is quite literally ride or die.
Everything I am (which isn’t much, but let’s not get sidetracked) is a direct product of the 90s. Ah, yes, it was a simpler time then. Nobody questioned the life-size cardboard cutout of Nick Carter at my 9th birthday party, I never had a bad hair day—shouts out to butterfly clips—and I could stalk all my boyfriends with a simple *69 phone call. But the best part? Disney Princess movies. Take me back to the good old days of binge watching The Little Mermaid six consecutive times, taking breaks for water only when absolutely necessary. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the princesses. Maybe it’s because Hollywood was finally sick of torturing us and finally blessed us with the movie we’ve been waiting our whole lives for: a live action Beauty And The Beast. Or maybe Disney’s on my mind because I can’t stop thinking about the princess swimsuit line we were just hit with. I blame lingering daddy issues. Looking past that minor bump in the road, the Disney princesses’ style taught me everything I know about looking hot. I can only hope one day I’ll be hot enough to literally not talk/be asleep for my entire two-hour feature film and have a husband by the end. Preferably someone with royalty in the blood. And a fat inheritance. Also, over six feet. Idk, I’m not picky. Each princess has her strengths, and we know we couldn’t be here without help from all. So let’s celebrate the style lessons we learned from the Disney princesses.
1. Cinderella
Cinderella, OG betch princess we know and love, stressed the importance of staying home when your outfit is super average. What did Cindy do when all she had to wear were some last season rags? Not go to any balls, no matter how lit, that’s for sure! Her heels were custom-made, which is always a plus. And it’s super betchy that her feet were so small. The best lesson Cinderella taught us? When you’re hot, guys wanna hook up with you. But the trick to keeping it going is to leave something “accidentally” at his place. You mean to tell me that shoe slipped off? Respect.
2. Aurora
I wish I looked so peaceful when I slept that people called me Sleeping Beauty, rather than what they actually call me, which is, “Is This Bitch All Right?”. I’ll pass out heavily intoxicated, half-naked, honestly not sure if I’ll see another morning. This bitch def gets a better night sleep than me, clocking in way over the recommended 8 hours. Beauty sleep is everything. That’s why she has no wrinkles. Science, bitch. I also read that she was Corinne’s direct mentor/ultimate inspiration. Two women we could all learn a thing or two from.
3. Snow White
Literally the hottest in the game, as declared by a talking mirror, Snow White definitely didn’t go for a natural look to claim that title. Betch would wear a red lip to breakfast. (Me after any night out.) But her makeup was always on point, proving you can never go wrong with a bold lip and a little blush.
4. Ariel
Ariel kept herself in shape, knowing it’s always bikini season. In a fool-proof plan, she lets her bod do the talking and avoids saying something too clingy early on. Or saying something at all. Works like a charm. And you know that bitch wasn’t achieving such perfect hair with just a fucking fork—there had to have been some serious water-protecting serum action going on behind the scenes. Otherwise there’s no way she would have been such a hot ginger. Unlike others. See below.
5. Merida
Pass. Pass. Pass. No. Code Red. Literally. Does Scotland have any mirrors? I’m confused. I need you to deep condition, like, yesterday. Color in your brows and throw some mascara on, girl. Why do you look like an unraveled ball of yarn? Does everyone who plays archery look like this? Can you “play” archery? Tune in next week to find out.
6. Belle
Many say Belle’s gown inspired Beyoncé’s Lemonade. The yellow was a great move for her complexion, take notes. Also, major props to Belle for keeping up her personal appearance even when she was like locked in an old enchanted castle. Goes to show, you should always look good no matter where you are or who you’re being held against your will by. You just might run into, oh I don’t know, let’s say an old bae, or maybe a beast that will actually transform into a hot prince capable of having sex with marrying you making you rich.
7. Jasmine
We need to collectively praise Jasmine once again for introducing the world to the crop top and bared midriff look. If my waist was approximately one-half the width of my boyfriend’s arm and my shoulders were more sculpted than Michelle Obama’s, I would want to wear as minimal clothing as possible, too.
8. Mulan
Mulan literally threw away everything that made her hot, chopped off her hair and started dressing in her dad’s clothes. This is a no from me. I know, I know, there’s some deeper meaning here about going against society and bucking gender norms and shit, but now is not the time or the place to get into that. Like, this bitch got so upset looking at herself with makeup on that she went and sang a song about it. Like, what? You just got a free makeover and you’re mad about it?! 0 lessons from Mulan, bye.
9. Pocahontas
I’d like to take this time and thank Pocahontas for teaching my young betchy self all about the free spirit look. While many falsely accredit Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen for the rise of boho vibes, those people are forgetting it was first our girl Pocahontas who was running around bronzed, barefoot, and in lots of suede/fringe. Can anyone really prove if Coachella would be here today if it weren’t for Pocahontas? Didn’t think so.
10. Rapunzel
Rapunzel teaches betches what many of us who’ve secretly been bleaching our hair have known for years: that having long, blonde hair will give you all the power you could ever want in life. Keep seeing your colorist and keep popping Biotin supplements/Sugar Bear hair gummies like they’re candy Adderall. Unfortunately, Rapunzel cuts all her hair (and actual magical powers) off in favor of a gross, mousy brown pixie cut “for love” or some shit—demonstrating that while there are plenty of girls who let themselves go the second they enter in a new relationship, you should never be one of those girls.
Channel your inner princess this weekend for maximum hotness. Just as long as we avoid the bathing suits. Never the bathing suits. Still shook.
In a definitive ranking of Hollywood transformations, I’m putting Emma Watson at #2, right under Michael Jackson and right before Caitlyn Jenner. Change your race, change your gender, IDGAF, nothing hits me quite like a vintage Emma circa Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. When we first met Em, she was a try-hard who pissed the whole classroom off and acted super desp over a scrawny ginger I would’ve ghosted before we even met. Level of betchiness: Anne Hathaway and Taylor Swift’s love child.
Now she’s a real life princess and the literal embodiment of the concept of “beauty,” which was my actual dream career/theme of every birthday party I ever had until my mom sobered up and realized I was turning 13 and something should prob change. She’s also queen feminist and a UN Women Global Goodwill Ambassador. If you don’t know what that is exactly, know it’s important AF. Remember how “important” you felt when you ran your sorority’s Tumblr?? Multiply that by 8,000,000 and you might be halfway there.
If I knew exactly what Emma did to go from “No, I didn’t just get electrocuted” to now, I wouldn’t be texting my grandma taking her up on her blind date offer, now would I?? But I have noticed a couple important beauty tips we could all use to transform ourselves into more attractive people, much like The Beast at the end of Beauty and The Beast.
1. The Importance Of Keratin
Did Emma Watson have frizzy-ass hair because she played Hermione, or did Emma Watson play Hermione because she had frizzy-ass hair? We may never know, but what we do know is that once Emma tamed the mane (shout out to Keratin), we started playing by her rules. And since then, Emma’s rocked short, blonde spikes to long, dark longs. Along the way, she’s taught us that our hair can be our best accessory if you pay enough attention to it and keep things interesting. Sounds like me as a girlfriend—needy AF. Thanks for reminding America not to sleep on the pixie cut, Em.
2. Keep The Male:Female Ratio In Your Favor
Emma’s queen at rolling up with a (below-average looking) man on each arm. Not only does she automatically look way out of their leagues, arriving as the sole female eliminates possible competition from anyone else looking better than you. A strategy I plan to implement this coming weekend—stay tuned.
3. When In Doubt, Red Lip
A signature makeup trend of Emma’s is a bold yet classy red lip. The statement color dresses up any look, makes lips look fuller and brightens your whole face. Pair this look with neutral colors or a cap and gown—you know, if you’re also an Ivy League grad.
4. Knowledge Is Always A Good Look
Emma’s confidence, intelligence, and well-tailored pantsuits are what make her actual #goals. Like, sure, we all think #goals when we see Kendall Jenner casually sporting Victoria’s Secret Angel Wings in Paris, but let’s sit back and reflect on the fact that she can’t read. So who’s actually taking the bigger L here, Kendall or you and your glass of wine that turned into a bottle and a half? Emma, on the other hand, uses her platform to set a good example and make a difference. Girl power and shit.
5. Own Your Cleavage
We need to talk about all the sad, old men yelling at Emma for innocently showing some cleav at a Vanity Fair shoot. To everyone who’s saying she’s hypocritical and actually anti-feminist because she posed semi-topless, I practically wear that amount of clothing on a given Saturday night. I mean A) this is hardly scandalous in Vanity Fair terms (I’m STILL haunted from the pics of daughter Miley and daddy Billy Ray) and B) If you don’t think you can have tits and be feminist at the same time, than there’s a bigger issue going on here. Emma, if you’re up there, know you set an example for females everywhere and remind us of the importance in tasteful underboob. You recognize that cleavage can be a woman’s best friend, and you do so with class. Slay.
Basically, if you want to live your dream life, model it after Emma Watson. I mean, who else can go from playing a fugly beloved children’s character who reads books to playing a beautiful beloved children’s character who loves to read books within just the span of a decade? It’s truly inspiring. Like, for real. Can’t wait to see what Emma does next.
I would just like to go one day where I don’t want to throat punch someone for sporting the latest dumbass “fashion” trend. But sadly, today is not that day because I just found out that someone is trying to ruin my life just came out with a Disney princess bikini line.
We’ve already established which bathing suits are best for your summer bod, and trust us, these will not be making the list. Whoever came up with this idea to personally victimize me capitalize on the Disney Princess trend is going in my personal burn book. Because now this heinous trend is invading a v important aspect of my life: the beach. The beach is a sanctuary, people. Someplace where I can do two very important things: nap and day drink. I need this place so I can forget the fact that we live in a world where people wear flower crowns and drop crotch pants of their own volition. But now, because we can’t have nice things, the beach isn’t even a safe place anymore.
But back to the bikini line. Enchanted Bikinis has taken it upon themselves to create their own line of Disney-themed swimsuits even though no one fucking asked them to. There will be a bikini for each of the major Disney Princesses including Snow White, Belle, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jasmine, Ariel, and Pocahontas. As if I didn’t have enough of a complex with my summer body, now you want me to squeeze into a bikini that channels my childhood heroes? That’s asking a lot of someone who just spent the last four months binge eating cheese and drinking red wine.
Also, grown women wearing princess costumes at the beach IS NOT OKAY. I mean, I get that we’ve all had that fantasy of being a princess and having Prince Charming come and sweep us off our feet, but like, I left that dream behind after my first jungle-themed frat party. Something about watching a guy shotgun a beer in a leopard print skirt really kills that dream for a girl. Sighs.
My favorite part about this bikini line—if you were to like put a gun to my head, threaten my life, and force me to choose—is probs the mission statement: “…To let the princess in you glow and enchant everyone and everything around, when you wear your Enchanted bikini. We believe that every woman can feel this way without putting on a costume.” Lol k. Let’s just see about this, shall we?
Okay, every girl in this picture is legit wearing a wig to the beach. And that one girl on the end is carrying a braid larger than my body rn. How is this not a costume again? HOW? Seriously. I’ll wait…
Jesus. This girl needs to hi-ho her ass back to the castle because if I see this shit on the beach I’m not sure I can be held responsible for my actions.
It’s like the people at Enchanted Bikinis thought, “have we humiliated the Native American people enough with this false narrative?” and they said, “no, let’s put her in a bikini!”
Tbh I’m surprised they didn’t just use her hair as a substitute for a top. This seems like a brand that would cut corners. Also like a brand that fosters my rage issues.
I think Pocahontas’ face in the saddest group picture ever just about sums up all of my thoughts regarding this bikini line.
The look of someone who’s contemplating how many drinks it will take her to forget that she’s a twentysomething woman wearing a child’s costume in public.
It’s unclear as to how many actual female women will wear such a thing in a public, but then again people sell laxative tea for Instagram followers, so there’s no limit to the amount of desperate shit people will pull. The one thing I know for sure is that Halloween costumes are about to be a whole lot sluttier. People were already wearing bras as tops, so I can only image what my sorority sisters people will be wearing this year now that bikini costumes are a thing. So should I start drinking now to prepare myself or…?
