Disney has spent decades creating characters that children and adults can aspire to be like. Over the past few years, Disney has begun to expand their wide range of female heroines and show more Latin representation by creating characters like Elena(Elena of Avalor) and Mirabel Madrigal(Encanto). Now Disney is adding another Latina to their world.
Walt Disney Animation Studio has just released the teaser for their upcoming film Wish, expected to be released in 2023, and stars with award-winning actress Arina Debose playing Asha, the first Afro-Latina princess! In September of 2022 at the D23 Expo Debose talked about how special it is to her to be playing this role, “It’s a gift I never thought I’d be given, to be honest. I remember like as a kid I sat in front of my grandmother’s television a lot. I remember saying ‘Oh, I would love to do that.’ I was looking an animated film. So, you know powers of manifestation at six years old, who knew”
Fans and various news outlets have taken to social media to share their excitement for this movie.
Disney’s new princess, Asha, played by Ariana DeBose in the upcoming film, #Wish. ✨ pic.twitter.com/9eQqactOUu
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) April 27, 2023
The film is created by director Chris Buck, along with the executive producers behind the magic of films like Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Encanto. Make sure to check out the teaser!