Keira Knightley sparked controversy recently when she stated in her interview that her three-year-old daughter Edie was banned from watching classic Disney princess films such as; "Cinderella" and "The Little Mermaid." However, the actress who stars as the Sugar Plum Fairy in Disney's newest Film "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms," had reasons for her decision.
In her interview on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," Knightley told the host that she doesn't believe that the classic Disney princesses represent independent Women. Although during her interview she opened up about her love for such classic films, the Metro.co.uk quoted her interview with Ellen when Knightley stated: "I mean, the songs are great, but do not give your voice up for a man" and went on to say "I love "The Little Mermaid"!
That one’s a little tricky — but I’m keeping to it"
Classic Disney princesses
The classic Disney princesses are loved by many women young and old who have watched films such as; "Cinderella", "Beauty and the Beast" and "Snow White". But, "The Nutcracker" actress has claimed she only wants to expose her young daughter to positive female role models and doesn't like the damsels in distress that the classic princesses represent.
However, some felt that Keira Knightley was being hypocritical in her decision as she has chosen to star in Disney's "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms," a story where a young girl travels to a new world and falls in love with a handsome soldier. A story that does not seem to meet Knightley's criteria for what her daughter can and cannot watch.
Nearly all of off the classic Disney princess films were released pre-21st century, when views towards women were much different then they are today, but the films are still just as loved in modern day society. Many Disney fans do not agree with Knightley's beliefs and instead seen the classic princess films for what they are; fairytale and make-believe.
Though with Knightley's ban on her daughter's female influencers she does not seem to share these same feelings.
Frozen and Moana
There are some Disney princesses that Knightley is okay with, however, after claiming at the premiere of "The Nutcracker," that she was a fan of Elsa from "Frozen" as well as "Moana". The Huffington Post quoted Knightley's interview with the Press Association in which she said "I love "Frozen", I am 100 per cent Team "Frozen" and Team "Moana".
Elsa and Moana can definitely be considered modern-day princesses, with "Frozen" being released in 2013 while "Moana" hit our screens in 2016. In recent years feminism has been taken more seriously, as more women and men are using their celebrity or public status to let women and girls know that they have a voice in society.
