Last week, illustrator Matt Burt posted 14 Disney princesses reimagined as career women for Simply Thrifty Living on imgur. The Internet is no stranger to Disney princesses reimagined. We have seen them as tattooed pinup models, as mothers, as fallen princesses, with jobs in the real world, as superheroes and villains, and cement mixers?
Matt Burt put his own creative spin on empowering Disney princesses and expanding all of our minds to create more substantial role models for our Disney loving children all around the world. With recent current events such as the #metoo and time’s up movements, it is important to not always look at women as ornaments and arm candy, even when they are Disney princesses. This artist not only detailed how they would look, but also what careers in which they would succeed.
It’s interesting to note that while there are several princesses of varying ethnicities, only their gender is mentioned. Jasmine is depicted as a UN ambassador advocating for women’s rights. Mulan is an attorney, also advocating for equal rights.
Matt Burt subtly embraces all facets of feminism by being so inclusive and breaking away from gender and ethnic stereotypes. There is no explanation for why Simply Thrifty Living enlisted Burt Design to create these pieces. Commenting is disabled on the imgur post. The collection simply appeared.
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The entire album has understated allusion to liberal ideology. Elsa and Anna are tackling global warming…
… while Pocahontas is also an environmental activist.
Ariel not only produces her own music, she also has her own record company (a completely male dominated field).
Moana is a decorated officer in the Navy.
Belle earned her doctorate and is a university chancellor committed to affordable education for all. It’s these discreet undertones which make the reimagined princesses that much more interesting.
Matt Burt told REEL360, “To me the Disney Princesses have become more than character in animated films. They’ve become influential woman and basically cultural icons. Because of this I wanted to reimagine them as something for people to look up to and be inspired by. This is why I tried to place them on job fields that I feel are mostly male dominated.”
Of course, while ethnicity is glossed over and gender is the focus, these princesses are still steeped in privilege. They’re princesses! They almost all have very expensive degrees. While this is a great message of, “you can be anything you want to be,” it’s kind of a fairy tale. Not everyone can earn their doctorate before they are 30 years old and become chancellor of a university or a neurologist.
Rapunzel somehow has managed to earn her doctorate and is the leading neurologist in the country! That takes years. Princess or not, you have to go to college, then medical school, then you’re an intern, then you’re a resident, THEN you can specialize, and after that you can prove yourself as the leading doctor in your field in your country.
Even Snow White has managed to earn her degree and is a successful psychologist, which takes a good 8-12 years.
Merida and Cinderella have the most believable and attainable careers, to an extent. Merida is an Olympic gold medalist, and while those are few and far between, anyone can work hard to become an Olympian.
Cinderella is an animal rights activist. She runs her own non-profit and that’s something anyone can do, regardless of privilege. Of course, I’m sure it’s easy for her to encourage donations considering she’s Cinderella. Who wouldn’t want to attend one of her fundraisers?
Tiana is consistent with her original character and is a successful, award-winning chef and restaurateur…
… while Sleeping Beauty is the CEO of a coffee company.
Children are probably not going to see these reimagined princesses. All of these Disney princesses reimagined are for those of us who are still children at heart. We, as adults, want to see what happens after the “happily ever after.” We want to see the princesses we adore do more with their privilege than sit on a throne. It seems like we’re trading one fairy tale for another and while dreaming of such careers is a much healthier fantasy, for many these particular fairy tales are unattainable
