A new Disney Channel show will star Elena of Avalor, Disney’s first Latina princess.
It’s taken us until 2016 to get a Latina Disney princess, but she’s finally here: Meet Elena of Avalor.
Although Disney Princess diversity is pretty appalling in general, the behemoth company has at least taken steps in the past to introduce Native American (Pocahontas), Asian (Mulan), Middle Eastern (Jasmine) and black (Tiana) princesses.
But Elena is the first ever Latina princess, despite 17% of the U.S. population being Hispanic.
Now, the new Disney Channel TV series Elena of Avalor seeks to right that wrong, introducing Elena as a young orphaned princess who must fight an evil sorceress to win back her kingdom and save her people. The story takes place in the same universe as Sofia the First.
Related: Moana trailer released: Here comes Disney’s next animated musical
The new princess will not only star in her own TV show on the Disney channel premiering later this month, but Disney is also releasing a TV movie in the fall.
Elena is voiced by Dominican-American actress Aimee Carrero, with other Latin voice actors including Constance Marie, Danny Trejo and Ivonne Coll.
Speaking to USA Today, creator Craig Gerber says, “It was very important to us that, since we were doing a show with a kingdom inspired by Latin American culture, that we get that right. Even though it’s a fairytale world, there are things that feel very authentic.”
There’s also a new infographic explaining how Elena of Avalor will represent Latin American culture:
Story editor Silvia Olivias says, “We have cultural consultants help us every step of the way. They read everything from the premise all the way through the final draft.”
Here’s the trailer:
And here’s something you can watch from outside the U.S.:
Elena of Avalor premieres July 22 on the Disney Channel.
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