We all love the Disney Princesses. From their style to their sidekicks, to their heroic acts – we love it all! Now, we are celebrating a few Modern Heroines with Elle and Disney this month!
As part of Disney’s Ultimate Princess Celebration, ELLE is honoring real-life heroes and heroines who embody the spirit of Disney’s beloved princesses, who continue to inspire people worldwide, regardless of age. These women are a true inspiration to so many of us and it is very exciting to see their stories highlighted and celebrated.
THE POWERFUL ATHLETE
Naomi Osaka
Whether she is on the court or launching her own unisex skincare line, Osaka stays true to her values. “Being authentically myself is the value I most strive for,” says Naomi Osaka in the ELLE feature. “I’ve never wanted to feel pressured into conforming to what other people think I should be.”
THE SPIRITED TRAILBLAZER
Josie Totah
Hollywood actress, producer, and advocate, Josie Totah, recalls how seeing Princess Jasmine on screen helped her feel included. “Getting to see myself [in Jasmine], who has a little bit darker hair, a little bit more melanin, was amazing and made me feel proud. She’s a Middle Eastern queen,” Totah said to ELLE.
THE GENEROUS MULTIHYPHENATE
Eva Longoria
You may recognize Eva Longoria from her long list of acting credits. But the actress is also very dedicated and active in immigration advocacy for Latinx causes! “Careerwise, directing, producing, and acting, that’s what I do, but who I am is more important,” she said to ELLE. “Affordable housing and health care, access to quality education—those things are a little more important than who’s watching my TV show.”
THE GRACEFUL DANCER
Misty Copeland
Misty Copeland became part of the Disney family when she starred in the 2018 film The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. She is also the American Ballet Theatre principal dancer. Copeland told ELLE that growing up, she felt a strong connection to Belle of Beauty and the Beast. “I loved the way she would move throughout the town, with such poise and grace, even though she wasn’t this wealthy, elite princess,” she said to ELLE.
THE BRAVE JUSTICE-SEEKER
Amanda Nguyen
Amanda Nguyen is a woman with a very impressive resume. She has interned for NASA (and dreams of going to space), has passed thirty-seven laws, and started the organization Rise. Nguyen told ELLE about how she admires the Disney Princesses (particularly, Mulan) because they show “that you can be brave while being vulnerable, that courage doesn’t mean lack of fear. I think Disney princesses and queens are such feminists.”
We completely agree!
THE TENACIOUS FOODIE
Padma Lakshmi
Famous foodie and Top Chef host knows her way around a kitchen. However, did you know she is also a children’s book author? Tomatoes for Neela, Lakshmi’s debut children’s book focuses on bringing families and cultures together. Lakshmi told ELLE about her family’s love of another famous foodie.
“We love Tiana because she’s very steadfast and doesn’t expect an easy way out,” Lakshmi said to ELLE. “A lot of success in life comes from talent, but more sustained success comes from diligence and working hard and understanding that there’s no one set, fixed goal you’ll arrive at where you’ve ‘made it.’ I think that is truly a fairy tale.”
We will also love the Disney Princesses and will continue to draw endless inspiration from them. However, these Modern Heroines offer real-life inspiration to so many girls and women today. They are living proof that you can achieve your dreams with hard work, grace, and kindness.
Make sure to head over to ELLE.com to read the full article! It’s a fabulous way to take part in Disney’s Ultimate Princess Celebration. Plus, we can all use a bit of motivation to get through the rest of the week, right?
Do you have any modern heroines that you look up to? Let us know in the comment section below!
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