First off, do you have any idea how hard it is to dance non stop for around the 30 to 45 minutes the parade takes from stepping off at Small World until it goes back stage (and even then, there are times they have to still keep dancing if they are in areas that can be seen by the public, like from the monorail or hotel rooms. And we are just talking normal, run of the mill being on stage dancing.
Polynesian dancing is even more energy consuming and would be more problematic. My guess is this has nothing to do with being culturally insensitive, but rather with trying to have a balance that prevents injuries long term, which is something parades have had difficulty with in the past.
Also, there may be legal limits imposed on Disney by OSHA, again to help prevent injuries.
We need to stop being offended by every little thing. Enjoy it for what it is and if you don’t, don’t go back to it.
You may be thinking of the rapid hip movements of Ori Tahiti. Hula has lots of more slow and graceful dances that would put less strain on the actress than the mess they choreographed for her, so that’s not an excuse.
Hula is a sacred form of both prayer and history keeping that just happens to take the form of dance. Most people probably wouldn’t just get over it if it were Jesus dancing a jaunty hip hop with a prop cross; they would understand it as sacrilegious.
So people complain about the dark characters being portrayed by lighter skinned people of the same or close ethnicity?
Yet it’s alright to change Tinkerbell and Ariel to black actors?
Love how people cry about her dancing and or lack there of.
seobaerin the girl is doing her best she is not disrespecting the Polynesian people in anyway. If she is and you know so much about it then send them your resume and tell them the problem get the job as the choreographer or get up there and dance yourself.
Also to add a tall order to that last one and that you have to look as good or better then the current dancer! That’s going to be a hard one no pun intended.
There are some BOLD assumptions made in this article. Moana in the photo depicted above is 1. At AULANI IN HAWAI’I and 2. OF POLYNESIAN DESCENT. Stop dragging performers who are REAL PEOPLE into this.
I see nothing wrong with her dance. It’s a tough job dancing & being in the son for hours,maintaining a smile & energy throughout. This is 4 entertainment not education. If u want authentic u go to a museum NOT a Disney park. Stop being so sensitive!
I don’t really think that skin tone is a big deal. I mean, I’m originally from Polynesia (NZ) and I’m quite fair. I was even when I lived there on the South Island. I think if she’s a princess, she would do a bit less labor outdoors and be a little lighter just because of that. I think it’s most important that the princesses are good with people/kids and can stay in character. Can always spray tan her a darker shade!
I do think it would be nice to see real dances from within the Polynesia Triangle area. There’s so many dances and many islands to choose from, like, a thousand or something!! (i.e. Samoa, Hawaii, Tonga, New Zealand, etc.) I’m not saying Disney HAS to, but it would be a nice touch and help the actors with their characterization.
Love the movie and I’m just so grateful there is a polynesian princess! ❤️
Comments for Disney Princess Slammed for Problematic Performance
Chris
First off, do you have any idea how hard it is to dance non stop for around the 30 to 45 minutes the parade takes from stepping off at Small World until it goes back stage (and even then, there are times they have to still keep dancing if they are in areas that can be seen by the public, like from the monorail or hotel rooms. And we are just talking normal, run of the mill being on stage dancing.
Polynesian dancing is even more energy consuming and would be more problematic. My guess is this has nothing to do with being culturally insensitive, but rather with trying to have a balance that prevents injuries long term, which is something parades have had difficulty with in the past.
Also, there may be legal limits imposed on Disney by OSHA, again to help prevent injuries.
We need to stop being offended by every little thing. Enjoy it for what it is and if you don’t, don’t go back to it.
seobaerin
You may be thinking of the rapid hip movements of Ori Tahiti. Hula has lots of more slow and graceful dances that would put less strain on the actress than the mess they choreographed for her, so that’s not an excuse.
Hula is a sacred form of both prayer and history keeping that just happens to take the form of dance. Most people probably wouldn’t just get over it if it were Jesus dancing a jaunty hip hop with a prop cross; they would understand it as sacrilegious.
Tom Clay
So people complain about the dark characters being portrayed by lighter skinned people of the same or close ethnicity?
Yet it’s alright to change Tinkerbell and Ariel to black actors?
Love how people cry about her dancing and or lack there of.
seobaerin the girl is doing her best she is not disrespecting the Polynesian people in anyway. If she is and you know so much about it then send them your resume and tell them the problem get the job as the choreographer or get up there and dance yourself.
No disrespect to you at all.
Tom Clay
Also to add a tall order to that last one and that you have to look as good or better then the current dancer! That’s going to be a hard one no pun intended.
P.C. Knott
Have pole. Will dance.
KayDub
I really wish I could get back the time that it took me to read this ridiculous article. Who cares how the character dances?
Kai
There are some BOLD assumptions made in this article. Moana in the photo depicted above is 1. At AULANI IN HAWAI’I and 2. OF POLYNESIAN DESCENT. Stop dragging performers who are REAL PEOPLE into this.
Obviously
Soooooo we ban the Disney Polynesian dance but we looooove a drag queen straddling a 14 year old at the high school LGBTQ conference… right….
Kimberly
I see nothing wrong with her dance. It’s a tough job dancing & being in the son for hours,maintaining a smile & energy throughout. This is 4 entertainment not education. If u want authentic u go to a museum NOT a Disney park. Stop being so sensitive!
Kimberley Kang
I don’t really think that skin tone is a big deal. I mean, I’m originally from Polynesia (NZ) and I’m quite fair. I was even when I lived there on the South Island. I think if she’s a princess, she would do a bit less labor outdoors and be a little lighter just because of that. I think it’s most important that the princesses are good with people/kids and can stay in character. Can always spray tan her a darker shade!
I do think it would be nice to see real dances from within the Polynesia Triangle area. There’s so many dances and many islands to choose from, like, a thousand or something!! (i.e. Samoa, Hawaii, Tonga, New Zealand, etc.) I’m not saying Disney HAS to, but it would be a nice touch and help the actors with their characterization.
Love the movie and I’m just so grateful there is a polynesian princess! ❤️
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