Fans praise Disney for their very first plus-size heroine in new short film - Reflect

Virgin Radio

27 Oct 2022, 10:21

Disney has debuted their first plus-size heroine in a brand new short film called Reflect. 

For the first time in their 85-year history, Walt Disney Animation Studios have included a plus-size protagonist at the front-and-centre of the short story. Any characters previously considered plus-size were either villains or background characters.

Reflect, part of Disney+’s second series of Short Circuit experimental films, follows a young ballet dancer, Bianca, as she struggles with her confidence and body dysmorphia. 

Bianca’s ballet teacher reminds her to keep a “tight tummy” and “long neck”, which causes the mirror to shatter, as the young performer begins to panic about her broken body image. 

The emotional film then shows Bianca getting the courage to overcome her body struggles, and continues her ballet class with confidence. 

Reflect is directed by Hillary Bradfield, who was also behind Frozen 2 and Encanto, which had the first Disney princess with glasses. 

Disney+ fans raced to praise the new short film, available to watch on the streaming site now, for breaking down the barriers of discussing body dysmorphia and body confidence at a young age.

Taking to Twitter, one viewer said: “16 year old me needed this Disney short before I quit ballet because I didn’t want to be the fat girl in class anymore. I’m glad little ones will have this. 10/10 for Reflect!”

Another wrote: “THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Disney+ FINALLY made a short with a Plus Size lead! It’s called Reflect and it’s part of the Short Circuit short series. Let’s just say I was SOBBING.”

A third commented: “I saw this Disney short called Reflect and it emotionally tore me up. It’s about a little plus size girl doing ballet and the mirrors start to swallow her up because of her body insecurity but she destroys them by dancing anyway.”

Disney has been working hard to show its inclusivity when it comes to its latest projects. 

The new Baymax series had a full episode dedicated to a girl’s first period, while Disney-Pixar movie, Turning Read, also tackled puberty for a younger audience. 

Reflect is available to watch on Disney+ now.