Top 10 Things Only Adults Understand About Disney Princesses
Some things about Disney princesses will go over kids' heads. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’ll be looking at aspects of the Disney franchise that most likely go over the heads of younger audience members.
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00:00 "No matter what happens, I'll always be with you.
00:04 Forever."
00:06 Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we'll be looking at aspects of the Disney franchise
00:10 that most likely go over the heads of younger audience members.
00:14 "From now on, you have my trust."
00:19 Number 10.
00:20 Terrifying songs.
00:21 If it's in song form, it can't be that bad, right?
00:25 Absolutely wrong.
00:26 Among the typical cheerful group numbers and emotional ballads in Disney princess films
00:31 are songs that are straight up scary, even by adult standards.
00:35 "The plague, yes, the also large bugs, men with pointy teeth, and stop no more, you'll
00:42 just upset me, mother's right here."
00:44 They're often performed by a villain, no surprise there, and feature surprisingly dark
00:49 themes.
00:50 Ursula manipulates Ariel into giving up her voice and eventually her freedom.
00:54 Peter Gothel strikes fear into Rapunzel, and Gaston manages to convince a whole mob to
00:59 attempt murder.
01:00 "Massive paws, killer claws for the fiend.
01:04 Hear him roar, see him foam, but we're not coming home till he's dead.
01:09 Good and dead!"
01:10 While kids can pick up on the spooky vibes, the true horror of what is being described
01:15 probably goes over their heads.
01:17 Older viewers, however, can appreciate just how sinister these tunes are.
01:21 "Yes, I've had loud complaints, but on the whole I've been a saint to those poor unfortunate
01:30 souls."
01:31 Number 9.
01:33 Inspiration for Tiana, The Princess and the Frog
01:35 "You need a napkin, sweetheart?
01:37 I'm gonna work a double shift at that Hi-Hi Cakes, you know, so I can save for your restaurant,
01:42 I know, I know.
01:43 Girl, all you ever do is work!"
01:46 Although children are unlikely to realize this, adults who are familiar with famous
01:50 chefs might recognize that Tiana is inspired by the queen of Creole cuisine, Lea Chase.
01:55 The award-winning cook is celebrated for her influence in the New Orleans restaurant scene,
02:00 as well as her involvement with the civil rights movement.
02:02 "I remember daddy told me fairy tales can't come true.
02:08 You gotta make 'em happen, it all depends on you."
02:14 Tiana bears resemblance to Chase in many ways.
02:17 They both share a passion for cooking, the ambition and drive needed to open a restaurant,
02:22 and the will to make a positive impact on the world.
02:25 There is one notable difference between the two, though.
02:27 While Tiana is a princess, Chef Chase is a queen.
02:31 "That was amazing what they did with that movie, just with what I told them.
02:36 And I hope it inspired other little girls.
02:39 I will forever be grateful for that."
02:41 Number 8.
02:43 Young Princesses
02:44 They may seem mature to children, but us older fans understand that the princesses are quite
02:49 young.
02:50 In fact, most of them are teenagers.
02:51 "You've got to stop rejecting every suitor who comes to call.
02:56 The law says you must be married to a prince by your next birthday."
03:01 Snow White, Jasmine, Ariel, Aurora, Mulan, and Belle are all under 18 years old.
03:08 In general, Disney princess films and merchandise are made for kids, so it makes sense that
03:12 the heroines are more youthful.
03:14 However, many of their stories depict dangerous adventures and end in marriage, which children
03:19 definitely shouldn't be taking part in.
03:29 On top of that, the princesses under 18 don't necessarily look or act their age.
03:34 Most of them come across as women in their early 20s, which is kind of creepy when you
03:39 think about it.
03:40 "I never realized how incredibly handsome you are."
03:47 Number 7.
03:48 Mulan's Other Fate
03:49 Mulan
03:50 "You'll bring honor to us all."
03:51 "Mulan, what's this?"
03:52 "Um, notes, in case I forget something."
03:58 While kids may not understand that the bulk of Disney princess films are adaptations of
04:02 previously existing tales, adults are more likely to be familiar with their source material.
04:07 The 1998 film Mulan is one of many adaptations inspired by the ancient Chinese legend of
04:12 Hua Mulan.
04:13 "I have to bring her home with a medal to get back in the temple."
04:15 "Wait a minute, that's it!
04:16 I'll make Mulan a war hero and they'll be begging me to come back to work.
04:22 That's the master plan!"
04:23 Although the first written recording of the myth concludes with a happy ending similar
04:26 to the one in Disney's film, not every version ends on a high note.
04:30 In the 17th century novel titled Romance of Sui and Tang Dynasties, Mulan's father dies
04:36 before she returns from war.
04:38 "Father, I brought you the sword of Shan Yu and the crest of the emperor."
04:47 The heroine is nearly forced into becoming a concubine, but instead takes her own life.
04:52 Adults may appreciate this darker conclusion, but it's definitely not suitable for the kiddos.
04:57 Number 6
04:58 The Looming French Revolution - Beauty and the Beast
05:01 According to Disney's version of the French fairy tale, Belle and her prince live happily
05:05 ever after.
05:06 "It's fair as all that's tied, strong as all that's tied, Beauty and the Beast."
05:18 However, those of us who are old enough to have studied world history will recall that
05:22 the monarchy met a violent end in France at the end of the 18th century.
05:26 During the French Revolution, members of the nobility were stripped of their titles, and
05:30 some even lost their heads.
05:32 "Bring your guns, bring your knives, save your children and your wives, we'll save our
05:36 village and our lives!
05:37 We'll kill the beast!"
05:40 Although it's not explicitly stated, clues indicate that Disney's adaptation is set in
05:44 the mid-18th century.
05:46 The original fairy tale was published in 1740, and costumes from the 2017 live-action version
05:51 are inspired by wear of the time.
05:54 "Strong as all that's tied, Beauty and the Beast."
06:02 If this assumption is correct, then Belle and the Beast only have a few decades before
06:06 facing the guillotine.
06:09 Number 5.
06:10 Subliminal messages
06:11 Although Disney princess films are generally made for children, they do include the occasional
06:16 raunchy joke.
06:17 For example, in the 2013 hit Frozen, a portion of Anna and Kristoff's dialogue riffs on the
06:22 sexually charged saying "size doesn't matter."
06:25 "What's his favorite food?"
06:26 "Sandwiches."
06:27 "Best friend's name?"
06:28 "Probably John."
06:29 "Eye color?"
06:30 "Dreamy."
06:31 "I'm a dreamer."
06:32 In Aladdin and the King of Thieves, the genie quips about honeymoon activities.
06:35 "I thought the Earth wasn't supposed to move until the honeymoon."
06:38 Aside from these intentionally included innuendos, some viewers allege that Disney films are
06:43 full of subliminal messages.
06:45 One infamous claim can be found on the original VHS cover of The Little Mermaid, which is
06:50 said to contain phallic imagery.
06:52 Another example comes from a promotional image for 2010's Tangled, in which Rapunzel's hair
06:57 supposedly spells out "S-E-X."
06:59 These examples are probably unintentional and pretty obscure.
07:03 It's unlikely that kids would spot them.
07:06 "Concubines.
07:07 Ugly concubines."
07:08 "Oh, he's so cute."
07:12 Number 4.
07:13 Mulan and Shang's relationship.
07:15 Mulan.
07:16 Romance is a key component in most Disney princess films.
07:20 Thanks to society's historically heteronormative standards, the so-called princesses are typically
07:24 paired with male love interests.
07:26 "When we're through, boys will gladly go to war for you.
07:31 With good fortune and a great hairdo, you'll bring honor to us all."
07:37 When it comes to Mulan and Shang's relationship, however, there are obviously some queer undertones.
07:42 Mulan undermines traditional gender roles by posing as a man and joining the army.
07:47 "Uh, how about a girl who's got a brain?
07:51 Who always speaks her mind?"
07:54 "Nah."
07:55 Technically, the romance between Mulan and Shang doesn't begin until after Mulan is revealed
08:00 to be a woman, but it's clear Shang is initially drawn to Mulan's male persona, Ping, with
08:05 the two having chemistry from the start.
08:08 "Ping, you are the craziest man I've ever met.
08:13 And for that, I owe you my life."
08:16 Kids may not initially recognize that the couple is legible as queer, but for older
08:21 viewers, the possibility is there for interpretation.
08:24 Number 3.
08:25 The romanticization of Pocahontas.
08:27 Pocahontas.
08:28 Those of us old enough to have a basic knowledge of American history know that the Disney adaptation
08:33 of this story includes quite a number of historical inaccuracies.
08:37 For instance, the titular character was probably around 10 years old when she first met John
08:42 Smith, which makes their romance highly unlikely.
08:45 "Pocahontas."
08:46 "What?
08:47 What did you say?"
08:50 "My name is Pocahontas."
08:54 It's also improbable that Pocahontas' rescue of the Explorer happened the way he reported
08:58 it.
08:59 It's more likely he misunderstood his involvement with the ritual that included the young girl,
09:03 or else made it up.
09:05 "My daughter speaks with the wisdom beyond her years.
09:09 We have all come here with anger in our hearts, but she comes with courage and understanding."
09:15 On top of all that, the film's presentation of Native Americans as exotic and pseudo-magical
09:20 is pretty offensive.
09:22 The flick may be enjoyable as a fictional tale, but as adults, we know there's a lot
09:27 wrong with it.
09:28 "And we are all connected to each other, in a circle, in a hoop that never ends."
09:38 Number 2.
09:39 Tiana's Impact - The Princess and the Frog
09:41 "If you make a wish on the evening star, it's sure to come true."
09:46 "Hmm.
09:47 Well you wish on that star, sweetheart."
09:48 "Yes, you wish and you dream with all your little heart."
09:52 Tiana made history in 2009 as the first black Disney princess.
09:56 Even if kids aren't explicitly aware of her impact, the representation she brings is significant.
10:01 On top of being a strong-willed and aspirational role model, she continues to be one of the
10:06 few women of color in the franchise.
10:08 Even though her inclusion is a big step forward for Disney, it's been met with a fair amount
10:13 of backlash.
10:14 "Easy, princess, princess, do not panic."
10:15 "What did you do to me?
10:16 I'm green and I'm slavish."
10:17 "I'm not slavish.
10:18 I'm a princess."
10:19 "I'm a princess."
10:20 "I'm a princess."
10:21 "I'm a princess."
10:22 "I'm a princess."
10:23 "I'm slavish."
10:24 Some viewers are critical of the fact that Tiana's a frog for most of the film and claim
10:27 that it undermines her influence.
10:29 Children probably aren't aware enough to have this complaint and will enjoy the film regardless.
10:34 That being said, it's a valid critique.
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11:04 Number 1.
11:05 Well-Adjusted Princesses
11:07 We have no idea how these princesses are so mentally stable after all the traumatic events
11:12 they've endured.
11:13 Throughout their various films, the heroines are exploited, ostracized, and nearly murdered.
11:18 "I don't understand."
11:20 "She's mad, jealous of you.
11:22 She'll stop at nothing."
11:23 "But who?"
11:24 "The queen."
11:25 "The queen?"
11:26 "Not for a child.
11:27 Run.
11:28 Run away."
11:29 Most of them have deceased parents or abandonment issues.
11:32 Practically all of them encounter life-threatening danger and witness violence.
11:36 Many are also taken advantage of by other characters.
11:39 For example, Cinderella's stepmother forces her into servitude, and Mother Gothel keeps
11:43 Rapunzel hostage in order to use her magical locks.
11:47 "You were wrong about the world.
11:49 And you were wrong about me.
11:51 And I will never let you use my hair again."
11:56 Plus, Ariel, Tiana, and Aurora each have a spell cast upon them by a villain.
12:01 Despite undergoing all these horrific circumstances, the princesses somehow still manage to live
12:06 happily ever after.
12:08 Hopefully they're all in therapy.
12:10 And now for the million dollar question.
12:12 Do people assume all your problems got solved because a big strong man showed up?
12:16 "Yes!
12:17 What is up with that?"
12:18 "She is a princess!"
12:21 Do you see the Disney princesses differently as an adult than you did as a kid?
12:25 Let us know in the comments below.
12:27 "Well, I waited this long."
12:30 Do you agree with our picks?
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