Disney Film Introduces Their First Plus Size Protagonist and It’s Giving Us All the Feels!

It’s hard to believe it’s taken this long but Disney has finally given us a plus size protagonist. Part of Disney’s Short Circuit series of experimental films, it focuses on body image and the importance of developing and protecting your own self-esteem.

Titled Reflect, the short film centres around a ballet dancer called Bianca who ‘battles her own reflection, overcoming doubt and fear by channeling her inner strength, grace and power.’ The short is directed by Hillary Bradfield, a Disney Animation story artist who also worked on Frozen 2 and Encanto. 

An all-new Short Circuit Experimental Film has arrived! Stream “Reflect” and all the Short Circuit Experimental Films by Walt Disney Animation Studios artists now on @DisneyPlus. 🩰 🎆 pic.twitter.com/c0gw5U4ecc

— Disney Animation (@DisneyAnimation) September 14, 2022

In the clip we see Bianca struggling with her self image and what she believes a dancer’s body should look like. Sadly it’s a message that many of us can relate to. Whether it’s during childhood or adulthood we often internalise negative expectations of our bodies. And while it’s positive that Disney is giving us these stories now, it is sad that’s it’s taken so long to get here.

@retrocosygamer It’s available on Disney + and shows how she battles body dysmorphia #plussizedisney #disneyprincess #plussizerepresentation ♬ After LIKE – Short Ver. – IVE

Social media users however are loving this body positive film and say it’s a feeling they can really relate to. One person wrote, “I used to dance (not exclusively ballet) and went though similar feelings, so I’m excited to see this!!” while another said, “She looks exactly like me when I was her age ! I was in the same situation in dance classes.”

@milkyywaves__ This plus size Disney ballet dancer will mean so much to so many people. This piece is part of Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Circuit Experimental Films and is an animated short called Reflect #disney #disneyanimation #waltdisneystudios #disneyshort #animation #plussize #bodypositivity #milkyywaves__ ♬ agony – –

“As someone who’s dealt with and still deals with this, it’s very comforting to finally see it being depicted,” one person added, “I wish I could have seen this when I was younger! But so happy things are changing!”

Reflect is available to stream now on Disney+.

Images: Disney and TikTok