UPDATE: Disney pulled the makeover from the official Disney Princess website following the outcry.

In a statement to Yahoo Shine, a Disney spokeswoman commented on the character:

"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."

SALT LAKE CITY — Getting a makeover is usually seen as a good thing. But not everyone is happy about a new look for the newest Disney princess.

The strong, independent young character who bucked restrictive societal traditions in the movie "Brave" became the 11th Disney princess in a coronation ceremony this weekend.

But along with making her a princess, Disney also gave Merida a new look. Artists tamed her wild curly hair, gave her sultry almond eyes, and added an off-the-shoulder gown.

"It's scary that they'd be so sexualized and so grown up when (kids) relate to them as children," said Anna Van Wagoner, a Salt Lake City mother of two daughters, ages 10 and 4.

"For them to make her sexualized is a complete departure from the original character," Van Wagoner said.

She said her girls love Merida's character and she doesn't understand why Disney would change her image. She signed an online petition started by a blog called A Mighty Girl. The petition now has more than 100,000 names on the list.

Carolyn Danckaert, co-founder of the blog, says Merida's more glamorous appearance does not serve children well.

"The redesign of Merida ... does a tremendous disservice to the millions of children for whom Merida is an empowering role model," Danckaert wrote. "(Merida) speaks to girls' capacity to be change agents in the world rather than just trophies to be admired."

Danckaert also wrote that by "making her (Merida) skinnier, sexier and more mature in appearance, you are sending a message to girls that the original, realistic, teenage-appearing version of Merida is inferior."

Other Utah parents are also expressing disappointment at Merida's new look.

Kearns resident Joe Montague said he remembers watching the "Brave" trailer.

"(A) feisty, red-headed, kick-butt girl; there's nothing wrong with that," the father of a 14-month-old little girl said. "I'm confused as to why she'd even need a makeover."

Montague's main concern was the message that sexualized images of dolls will send to his daughter as he works to raise her in today's society. He said he wants her to know she can be herself and hopes "she'll be accepted for who she is and what she looks like."

The filmmaker who created the character is especially vocal in her disappointment. In a statement to her hometown newspaper, the Marin Independent Journal, Brenda Chapman said, "I think it's atrocious what they have done to Merida."

Related:

Author says princess play can have negative effect on girls

If you ask a little girl to name her favorite princesses — chances are she will be able to easily come up with a very long list. But has "playing princess" gone too far? Ten-year-old Barbara Southworth knows a thing or two about princesses.

"Merida was created to break that mold," she said, "to give young girls a better, stronger role model, a more attainable role model, something of substance, not just a pretty face that waits around for romance."

Leaders from Utah women's groups promoting education and empowering women say this new image of Merida hurts their cause.

"We want to be known for our minds and how we feel about things," said Shawna Scott-Bellaccomo, president of the Utah Women's Lobby. "We don't want to be represented on our physical bodies alone."

Claire Turner, president of the American Association of University Women Utah Branch, was appalled when she saw the "sexy" version of Merida at a local store.

"Here is this doll who is essentially a Barbie doll," said Turner. "We're really trying to do everything we can for women and girls and this is like a throwback."

The interested parties are also worried about what the change says to little boys.

"I just don't think that they need any other messages that that type of dress is appropriate, or that girls have to look that way," said South Salt Lake Mayor Cherie Wood, a mother of three boys.

Disney has responded to all the outcry with a statement saying, "Merida exemplifies what it means to be a Disney Princess through being brave, passionate and confident."

Related topics