Jason Porath’s Rejected Princesses Project Defies Disney’s Royal Stereotype

Roxanne Powell

Senior Content Editor

@roxipowell

We all know the stereotype for the “perfect” Disney princess. She has to be beautiful, skinny, look good with a bare middrift, and be able to speak her mind while doing so with grace and poise. Even our honorary princesses like Mulan, and occasionally Alice, are beautiful, thin, independent thinkers. They have their ups and downs, but manage to come out of everything okay.

Mulan even got to go home with the Emperor’s medal!

But what about all the princesses out there who don’t fit our preconceived notions of what a princess should be? This question has been bugging Disney viewers for some time, but recently reached a boiling point after Disney’s latest princesses hit our screens in Frozen.

Anna and Elsa were taught from a young age that the outside world is a scary place, full of unforgiving people who don’t like anything (or anyone) different. While Anna did not understand why this related to her, Elsa was all too aware of the dangers her powers could cause. Thus the palace was locked up, those thousands of salad plates shelved, and the ballroom left unused.

Courtesy of Jason Porath/ Rejected Princesses

With these princesses firmly in their minds, viewers questioned whether the sisters were appropriate role models for their kids. Jason Porath, a DreamWork’s animator, even started wondering if there were any “rejected” princess Disney just “forgot” to add to their lineup.

Courtesy of Jason Porath/ Rejected Princesses

Thus Rejected Princesses was born. Not only does the site accurately document several princesses who have been lost behind the mask of Disney “perfection,” but they actually kick some major butt! Not to give away anything, but several of these princesses are pretty handy with a sword–and they get to keep it! Some of these ladies are so hardcore, the men are kittens in comparison.

Let that sink in.

Courtesy of Jason Porath/ Rejected Princesses

This past Friday, Porath shared the inspiration behind Rojected Princesses with the Huffington Post. “The idea behind the illustrations falls under two categories: it’s part satire of the narrow mold that mainstream animated movies have historically fallen under, and part putting the spotlight on lesser-known stories that I, at least, find super interesting.”

Courtesy of Jason Porath/ Rejected Princesses

“Disney (or DreamWorks, or Blue Sky, or whomever else) could totally make sanitized versions of these stories if they wanted to — I think there’s ample evidence of that out there,” he continued. “The point is that most of the women I’ve illustrated don’t fit the ‘kid-friendly animated princess’ template, and the resulting marriage of that idea with their stories is often hilariously incongruous.”

Courtesy of Jason Porath/ Rejected Princesses

Shortly after he attempted to voice his concerns about Anna and Elsa’s influence, Porath left his job at DreamWorks. The Frozen characters just caused too much controversy, and Porath decided his time and energy would be better spent in other ventures. He now primarily focuses on Rejected Princesses, and hopes to compile these amazing heroines’ tales into a book.

But even though DreamWorks doesn’t want to make them, Porath assures us that the animation industry is evolving and expanding all the time, and could one day make room for the bad-ass girls of legend.

“The animation industry in general is gradually moving forward with more interesting and varied depictions of women … and I’m excited to see where that takes us.”

Courtesy of Jason Porath/ Rejected Princesses

Let’s hope the time is coming soon! In the meantime, feel free to head over to Rejected Princesses to read some of their amazing stories!

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