Artist Incites a Fierce Debate by Reimagining Disney Princesses as Plus-Sized
Crystal Walter, who goes by the online name Neoqlassical Art Neoqlassical Art, has recently captured the attention of the internet and sparked some debate with her recreated drawings of Disney characters as plus-size princesses. Artist sparks debate by reimagining Disney princesses.
While the majority of people have responded positively, others have tried to accuse her of 'glorifying obesity' and encouraging unhealthy lifestyles. This was never Crystal's intention, she explained. Rather, she wished to address the issues of 'large bodies' representation and how we should all love ourselves.
“I’ve never told anyone to get more fat, or that being fat is more desirable than being thin. Simply that fat lives are equal, and just as worth living as any other. The way our culture is designed is to constantly provide the means of gaining fat, while simultaneously living in crippling fear of the result, and shaming people who do get heavier,” She explained. How Disney Princesses as Plus-Sized would look like?
Scroll down to read the details of Crystal's interview and check out her drawings. Which Disney princess do you love the most?
According to the illustrator, her Disney project is all about positive representation. She was inspired by the lack of it to reimagine princesses and provide role models for people of different sizes.
“Growing up, I couldn’t find any positive fat role models in the media. Historically, fat people have been demonized, used for comedic effect, or to visibly show that a character is less intelligent than their slimmer, more cunning counterparts. This is hideously damaging to a developing child, and like many others, it led to me despising my own body. I could not physically relate to the characters I loved, like the Disney princesses I’ve re-drawn,” Crystal explained her personal experience with the lack of role models growing up.
She described how, as a teen, she developed disordered eating habits, skipped meals, and overexcited to lose a few pounds. However, in her case, the weight was always returned, plus more. This eventually led Crystal to suffer from severe depression as a young adult. She was exercising and intermittent fasting at the time, but she was depressed and at a low point in her life.
“This was the biggest wake-up call on my journey to loving my body, realizing that weight and joy do not correlate. Weight and quality of life do not correlate,” Crystal said. “Through my experience, I’ve found that whatever size you are when you’re living your most joyful, fulfilling life, is the size you’re meant to be at that time.”
The artist asserted once more that being thin is not 'bad' or 'unrealistic.' Instead, she wanted to emphasize the idea that all bodies are deserving of respect and acceptance, regardless of how much space they take up or what they can or can't do.
“It’s true that the Disney characters I draw were unrealistic, to begin with, in that their waists were all smaller than their heads, but the reason I draw them fat is not to make them ‘realistic,’ it’s to see myself in them. To help other fat folks see themselves in them.”
The artist revealed that she constantly receives love from people who 'finally' feel represented. “They show these drawings to their kids who may be on the big side, and they love them as well.”
Crystal also shared her thoughts on how to address the "obesity epidemic" without shaming people. She believes that the world needs a cultural shift.
“One that provides more nutritious options in places where there are none. One that encourages fun activities, and safe places to do those activities. One that’s closer to nature and is based on kindness. One that encourages bigger people to get out and live life, not to lose weight, but just to thrive as they are.”
Overweight people, in Crystal's opinion, are "just people—not people in waiting" and do not deserve to be laughed at or looked at "with fear, disgust, or pity."
“Glorifying anything that is constantly shamed by the rest of the world is not the same as an encouragement to be more of that thing. It’s just recognition that the thing does not make you a bad person, or any less of a human being. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”
The artist stated that she has wanted to be an artist since she was a child.
"When I was a kid, I used to answer the question, 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' with 'An artist.' If not that, a rock star would suffice. I had a brief period in 8th grade when I dressed like a boy and imagined myself as a rapper, but didn't we all? But, through it all, the goal was to be some kind of artist, and guess what? I made it!"
Crystal's advice to all artists, as well as anyone attempting to be successful in their field, is, to begin with, passion.
“Find a cause that hits home for you, and something that people need, and work for that. If your subject inspires you, that will give you the fuel to keep going when you’re not yet receiving great feedback or monetary compensation. And never be afraid to ask for what you want, that’s a powerful tool that gets shamed out of us early in life,” she said.
Have you ever thought that an antagonist might look that cute when she is illustrated plus-sized like this?
OMG, she looks like chubby snowflakes!
This body and this hair... maybe a little hard to move, right?
Tiana still looks gorgeous in her plus-sized body!
Have you ever imagined tiny Tinker Bell turning big?
We almost forget about sexy red hair Meg after looking at this picture. How cute she is!
How lucky Aladin was to stole this heart!
We've seen lovely chubby Elsa above. What about Anna?
Even when she is portrayed as plus-sized, she still looks brave and fierce, right?
While the majority of people have responded positively, others have tried to accuse her of 'glorifying obesity' and encouraging unhealthy lifestyles. This was never Crystal's intention, she explained. Rather, she wished to address the issues of 'large bodies' representation and how we should all love ourselves.
“I’ve never told anyone to get more fat, or that being fat is more desirable than being thin. Simply that fat lives are equal, and just as worth living as any other. The way our culture is designed is to constantly provide the means of gaining fat, while simultaneously living in crippling fear of the result, and shaming people who do get heavier,” She explained. How Disney Princesses as Plus-Sized would look like?
Scroll down to read the details of Crystal's interview and check out her drawings. Which Disney princess do you love the most?
#1 Ariel
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
According to the illustrator, her Disney project is all about positive representation. She was inspired by the lack of it to reimagine princesses and provide role models for people of different sizes.
#2 Belle
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
“Growing up, I couldn’t find any positive fat role models in the media. Historically, fat people have been demonized, used for comedic effect, or to visibly show that a character is less intelligent than their slimmer, more cunning counterparts. This is hideously damaging to a developing child, and like many others, it led to me despising my own body. I could not physically relate to the characters I loved, like the Disney princesses I’ve re-drawn,” Crystal explained her personal experience with the lack of role models growing up.
#3 Cinderella
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
She described how, as a teen, she developed disordered eating habits, skipped meals, and overexcited to lose a few pounds. However, in her case, the weight was always returned, plus more. This eventually led Crystal to suffer from severe depression as a young adult. She was exercising and intermittent fasting at the time, but she was depressed and at a low point in her life.
#4 Aurora
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
“This was the biggest wake-up call on my journey to loving my body, realizing that weight and joy do not correlate. Weight and quality of life do not correlate,” Crystal said. “Through my experience, I’ve found that whatever size you are when you’re living your most joyful, fulfilling life, is the size you’re meant to be at that time.”
#5 Pocahontas
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
The artist asserted once more that being thin is not 'bad' or 'unrealistic.' Instead, she wanted to emphasize the idea that all bodies are deserving of respect and acceptance, regardless of how much space they take up or what they can or can't do.
#6 Merida
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
“It’s true that the Disney characters I draw were unrealistic, to begin with, in that their waists were all smaller than their heads, but the reason I draw them fat is not to make them ‘realistic,’ it’s to see myself in them. To help other fat folks see themselves in them.”
#7 Mulan
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
The artist revealed that she constantly receives love from people who 'finally' feel represented. “They show these drawings to their kids who may be on the big side, and they love them as well.”
#8 Elsa
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Crystal also shared her thoughts on how to address the "obesity epidemic" without shaming people. She believes that the world needs a cultural shift.
“One that provides more nutritious options in places where there are none. One that encourages fun activities, and safe places to do those activities. One that’s closer to nature and is based on kindness. One that encourages bigger people to get out and live life, not to lose weight, but just to thrive as they are.”
#9 Esmeralda
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Overweight people, in Crystal's opinion, are "just people—not people in waiting" and do not deserve to be laughed at or looked at "with fear, disgust, or pity."
“Glorifying anything that is constantly shamed by the rest of the world is not the same as an encouragement to be more of that thing. It’s just recognition that the thing does not make you a bad person, or any less of a human being. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”
#10 Maleficient
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
The artist stated that she has wanted to be an artist since she was a child.
"When I was a kid, I used to answer the question, 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' with 'An artist.' If not that, a rock star would suffice. I had a brief period in 8th grade when I dressed like a boy and imagined myself as a rapper, but didn't we all? But, through it all, the goal was to be some kind of artist, and guess what? I made it!"
#11 Cinderella And Tiana
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Crystal's advice to all artists, as well as anyone attempting to be successful in their field, is, to begin with, passion.
“Find a cause that hits home for you, and something that people need, and work for that. If your subject inspires you, that will give you the fuel to keep going when you’re not yet receiving great feedback or monetary compensation. And never be afraid to ask for what you want, that’s a powerful tool that gets shamed out of us early in life,” she said.
#12 Ursula
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Have you ever thought that an antagonist might look that cute when she is illustrated plus-sized like this?
#13 Snow White
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
OMG, she looks like chubby snowflakes!
#14 Rapunzel
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
This body and this hair... maybe a little hard to move, right?
#15 Tiana
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Tiana still looks gorgeous in her plus-sized body!
#16 Tinker Bell
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Have you ever imagined tiny Tinker Bell turning big?
#17 Meg
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
We almost forget about sexy red hair Meg after looking at this picture. How cute she is!
#18 Jasmine
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
How lucky Aladin was to stole this heart!
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
#19 Anna
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
We've seen lovely chubby Elsa above. What about Anna?
#20 Moana
Source: NeoqlassicalArt.com
Even when she is portrayed as plus-sized, she still looks brave and fierce, right?
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