Brave, the animated film by Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures, was praised by critics and earned both a Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film. After its June 2012 release, Brave also became a favorite with movie goers falling in love with yet another Disney princess. Following in the footsteps of Ariel, Jasmine, and other female heroines, Brave’s lead character, Merida, inspired little girls with her independent and adventurous spirit, curly red mane, and fearless bow and arrow skills.

This month, fans were stunned to learn that Merida underwent a makeover ─ a ‘redesign’ just in time for her debut in the Disney Princess Collection. The new glam version of Merida wears a sparkly gown and makeup, has a smaller waistline, more ‘curves’, and smoother hair. A side-by-side comparison can be seen here: https://change.box.com/s/qtk6n4h1dtk6gz5xk2gd

Carolyn Danckaert, co-founder of A Mighty Girl, a website that features books, toys, movies, and clothing for girls, was among the fans that had a negative response to the character’s makeover. Carolyn launched a petition on Change.org (http://chn.ge/13iFIjN) addressed to Disney executives urging them to return Merida back to her original likelihood. Why? Carolyn says, “Merida inspired countless young girls by showing them that they too could go off on adventures and save the day; that it’s not about how you look that matters but what kind of person you are. With Merida, girls finally had a princess role model that looked like a real girl, complete with the ‘imperfections’ that made her such a unique and appealing character. By redesigning her to fit the mold of the Disney Princess line and making her skinnier, sexier, and more mature in her appearance, Disney is sending the message that for girls and women to have value ─ to be recognized as true princesses ─ they must conform to this narrow definition of beauty. With our petition, we’re calling on Disney to return to the original Merida that we all know and love and to keep Merida Brave!”

With just a little media buzz, including coverage on NBC’s Today Show, the petition garnered more than 100,000 online signatures in less than two weeks. Yahoo! Shine reported that a Disney spokesperson (who was not named) offered an official statement in response to the petition and negative press: “Merida exemplifies what it means to be a Disney Princess through being brave, passionate, and confident; and she remains the same strong and determined Merida from the movie whose inner qualities have inspired moms and daughters around the world.”

During an interview with Orlando Family Magazine, Carolyn shared that Disney.com had replaced the new glam Merida image with the original character. She says, “I think it’s premature to call this a victory. We need to see which version of the character Disney portrays for all new merchandise. Will we see a mature, sexier Merida or the original, related girl?” Carolyn adds that ‘support’ has gone global and inspired a Spanish version of the petition (http://chn.ge/13iFRDU). “Let’s see how Disney responds, especially after the press coverage dies down.”

Is the cartoon controversy necessary? Well, per the petition, at least 160,000 think so. Share your opinion with Orlando Family Magazine.