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Disney in hot water for 'sexy' <em>Brave</em> princess

Los Angeles – The co-director of Brave and creator of Princess Merida has slammed Disney for creating a "sexy" version of the character for a new toy line, reports The Guardian.

In preparation for her official induction into The Disney Princess Collection, Princess Merida has received a makeover to look slimmer, older and "somewhat sexualised".

According to Merida's creator Brenda Chapman, "Disney had completely missed the point when creating the new version of her creation".

Chapman has come out in support of a petition calling on Disney to return Merida to her original form. The petition, launched on Change.org, has garnered more than 100 000 signatures in just over a week and reads as follows:

'Narrow definition of beauty'

"Merida was the princess that countless girls and their parents were waiting for – a strong, confident, self-rescuing princess ready to set off on her next adventure with her bow at the ready. She was a princess who looked like a real girl, complete with the 'imperfections' that all people have.

"The redesign of Merida in advance of her official induction to the Disney Princess collection does a tremendous disservice to the millions of children for whom Merida is an empowering role model who speaks to girls' capacity to be change agents in the world rather than just trophies to be admired.

"Moreover, by making her 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; that for girls and women to have value – to be recognised as true princesses – they must conform to a narrow definition of beauty."

Writing to her local newspaper the Marin Independent Journal, Chapman said: "I think it's atrocious what they have done to Merida.

"When little girls say they like it because it's more sparkly, that's all fine and good but, subconsciously, they are soaking in the sexy 'come-hither' look and the skinny aspect of the new version. It's horrible!"

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