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Disney Princess It Girl: Snow White's Pop Culture Evolution

Tara Block — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:42:42 PDT

We've all got fairy tales on the brain, as the very first Disney princess, Snow White, is having her moment in the sun. Two star-studded movies about Snow White, her evil stepmother, and those seven mining dwarfs are hitting the big screen this year. First up was the Lily Collins-Julia Roberts version Mirror Mirror, and come June 1 Kristen Stewart will take on the role in Snow White and the Huntsman. Just last night, Kristen and her costars Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron came out for the London premiere of SWATH.

While the flicks differ in many ways, they both portray the heroine as more of a modern woman, who doesn't need a Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet. This is a far cry from the Disney version we're all familiar with, but Snow White has taken on many different forms since being brought to the masses by the Brothers Grimm in their 1812 German fairy tale Schneewittchen und die sieben Zwerge (Snow White and the Seven Dwarves). Find out more about the inspiration for their tale and how Snow White has been portrayed in literature, art, film, and TV over the years.

Artistic Twists on Disney Princesses (and Other Heroines)

Tara Block — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:32:00 PDT

As it's National Princess Week and the week leading up to Will and Kate's royal wedding anniversary, we've got princesses on the brain. Sometimes that little girl inside us refuses to grow up, like when it comes to our endless fascination with all things Disney-princess-related. While our adult selves may cringe at princess culture and the outdated stereotypes that come along with it, there's just something special about the Disney princesses we grew up with like Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Aurora, and Ariel. And they aren't all damsels in distress; the newer crop of the crowned ladies (including Princess Sofia the First and Brave's Princess Merida) have attempted to be better role models for little girls. But whether these Disney princesses - or, for the purists, animated heroines - are classics or newbies, they've inspired many creative artists who've transformed them into thought-provoking modern art. So while we wait for The Real Housewives of Disney to become a actual show, satiate your obsession with some of our favorite artistic renditions of Disney princesses!

6 Saving Tips From Disney Princesses

Emily Co — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:00:20 PDT

What a great life these Disney princesses have! They get to marry the prince of their dreams, and live lavish lives as royalty. But before you start scoffing at what an easy time these princesses have and how they never had to think about budgeting, think again. In celebration of National Princess Week, check out these savvy money lessons from these singing, dancing beauties.

Types of Princesses and What We Can Learn From Them

Tara Block — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:30:00 PDT

Today kicks off the first-ever National Princess Week! With fairy-tale-inspired movies aplenty (including multiple Snow White flicks), Pixar's first princess Merida hitting the big screen in Brave, and Prince William's own princess Kate in the spotlight, little girls and grown women alike have tiaras on the brain. And sure there are downsides to princess culture, but there are also lessons to be gleaned from these regal ladies. From real-life royalty to Disney characters, let's look at 10 different types of princesses and what we can learn from them (and it's not how to be like Mean Girls).

Julie Andrews on the Importance of Princess Culture, Princess Kate, and Her Favorite Roles

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:32:56 PDT

It's hard not to become giddy when talking about Julie Andrews. The legendary actress's career spans more than 50 years, with multiple generations of families still enjoying her library of work together - from Mary Poppins to The Princess Diaries. What many people don't know is that the 76-year-old Academy Award winner is also the coauthor - with her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton - of more than 20 children's books, including the just-released The Very Fairy Princess: Here Comes the Flower Girl!, part of the "Very Fairy Princess" series.

As far as meeting her in person - well as someone who can still recite virtually every line of The Sound of Music, it's a totally surreal experience. From the beautiful English accent that spoke to me from my favorite films to the fact that she still exudes the authoritativeness of the governesses she played, the experience was almost regal - which is why Andrews is perfectly cast as the spokeswoman for Disney and Target's first National Princess Week, which runs from April 22-28. I met up with the living legend, her daughter, and her granddaughter at a princess-themed tea - feather boas, scepters and all - to discuss the relevance of princesses today, working motherhood, and her favorite roles over the years.

On why playing princesses is really OK:
Julie Andrews: "My personal take on it is that they may be trying on for size what it feels like to be, say, a real lady. [It] perhaps, in some way, helps them find their own identity later in life. I do think fantasy and play of this kind - whatever it is, if you want to play at being a nurse, or if you want to play at being a florist - it's all important and should be allowed, because it would be an awfully sad place if we didn't try on those airs and have fun doing it."

On raising strong, independent, confident women in a culture saturated with princesses:
Emma Walton Hamilton: "Sometimes I think princesses are given an unfair rap. We compiled a list of over 70 contemporary princesses. In doing the research for that, I was reminded once again of the extraordinary work princesses do in the world. The charitable contributions, the causes they champion, the amount of good and service they contribute and provide. I think they're a wonderful example of being strong, feminine, and kind, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that."

On her favorite Disney princess:
Julie Andrews: "Mine has to be, because I've been involved with it, Cinderella. I played Cinderella when I was about 17 years old in England, and then when I came to America it was the first Rodgers and Hammerstein musical they wrote for me. So for me Cinderella has always resonated. And I love the rags to riches, kind of like my own story in a little way."

Keep reading for Andrews's thoughts on Princess Kate, the state of motherhood today, and her favorite role.

Minnie Mouse Gets Polished Off

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:15:00 PDT

The House of Mouse is generally pretty conservative with its licensing, but with the recent Disney Couture jewelry line and MAC's Venomous Villains collection, it was only a matter of time before the brand got into the nail game. Now, OPI has announced that it's releasing a quartet of nail polishes ($9 each) inspired by Ms. Minnie herself. As you might expect, there's a lot of red (although no black or yellow, surprisingly), plus a cute heart topcoat and a pretty pink to sweeten the deal. We're hoping this isn't the last we hear from Mickey's main squeeze. After all, who could turn down a line of Minnie-inspired bows? See the polishes now.

Which Disney Prince Did He Voice?

Tara Block — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:20:40 PDT

Someday our prince will come, or at least that's what we were told in Disney fairy tales like Snow White and Cinderella. And even though we still hold a special place in our hearts for Disney princesses and princes, we now know that those movies were a little sugarcoated (and it's not always a happy ending, even when we think we have our Prince Charming). But while the animated princes were make-believe, the men who voiced them are very real, and some are pretty cute! See if you can match up the actor with the Disney prince he voiced - and watch out, some of the royal cuties had two actors: one for talking and one for singing!

Question 1 of 12

Christopher Daniel Barnes

11 Tips For Surviving Your First Trip to Walt Disney World

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 01:05:33 PST

"We're going to Disney World!" As soon as my kids heard Eli Manning utter that post-Super Bowl phrase, they couldn't wait to board the plane for Orlando, FL. Little did they know that we had booked our trip six months earlier, planning to stay at an apartment off-property (thanks, Nanna!), a few miles from the park. I loved Disney World as a kid, but back then, it was just two parks, and I wasn't the one planning the trip or paying for it! Today it is five parks, and we were planning on meeting friends there the week of Presidents' Day - the kids would be off from school, but so would thousands of other kids all with the same destination in mind.

To say I was nervous about the trip is an understatement. I envisioned waiting in long lines everywhere, being inundated with kids whining for Mickey Mouse ears and other souvenirs every three minutes, and feeling overwhelmed by the size of the parks. My vision couldn't have been further from reality. Sure, those things existed, but despite all of that, we experienced the Happiest Place on Earth. Here are my tips on how you can do that, too!

SNL Imagines The Real Housewives of Disney With the Help of Lindsay Lohan

Annie Scudder — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 09:48:41 PST

Lindsay Lohan attempted a comeback last night hosting SNL, and the former child star hit her stride while poking fun at her Disney roots. In last night's Real Housewives of Disney sketch, Lindsay brought to life a "more animated" version of the Bravo franchise. She played Rapunzel, who said she was "out of the tower and into the spotlight" during the classic Housewife intro, alongside Kristen Wiig's drunk Cinderella. We can add reality princesses to the hipster Disney princesses and other modern twists on the classic fairy-tale cartoons we've seen lately. Watch below and tell us what you think.

David Arquette Opens Up About Parenting Being a Series of "Do-Overs"

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:02:07 PST

How much fun is it playing a talking parrot on the number one TV show for kids? Just ask David Arquette, who stars as Skully the parrot on Jake and the Never Land Pirates. The actor and dad to Coco, 7, appears to be loving his turn as the wise bird who keeps watch over Jake, Izzy, and Cubby as they try to keep away from Captain Hook. I caught up with David at the Disney Consumer Products event at the Toy Fair this week, where he showed off his dance moves with Minnie Mouse and unveiled the upcoming line of Jake and the Never Land Pirates toys and games.

LilSugar: What's fun about playing Skully?
David Arquette: It's great to sort of perform with just using your voice. I sweat, actually, when I start doing the thing, because I really get into it. You really have to convey all of the excitement into your voice. It takes a lot, but it's really rewarding, especially when you see the little fans that love it.

LS: Do they recognize your voice?
DA: Well, I'll ask them, "Do you watch the show?" And I tell them I do the . . . I was at the Super Bowl and there were some little kids who were helping out at this little game we were playing and I was like, "Do you all watch Jake and the Never Land Pirates?" and they were all like, "Yeah!" I said, "Well, I play Skully," and I did the voice [and said], "Crackers," and they were speechless - it was the most adorable thing!

LS: Well your daughter is probably too old for the show, but does she still watch?
DA: She says, "Well Dad, I’m a little too old for the show, but I like to watch it to see what your character’s doing." She does enjoy the show!

LS: Is she happy to see you back in the Disney fold?
DA: It's great. She loves Disney. She loves some of the older programming - Good Luck Charlie and all of that.

LS: Your costar, Sharon Osbourne, is about to become a grandmother. Do you have any advice for her?
DA: She's got all the parenting advice - I could use some advice from her! For Jack, I'd just say, you're going to be great. You know, sometimes when you're a first-time parent, you're kind of nervous and you're not sure what to expect. But just like animals and every creature on this planet, we all just kick into gear. You immediately, once the baby’s there, you're a parent and you learn. You grow and you ask people, you read books, and you make some mistakes. But like a really great parenting guru said, "Parenting gives you the opportunity for a do-over every day, every minute." So if you make a little mistake, you can always make up for it and learn.

LS: Any chances we'll see Skully teaching the kids to dance?
DA: That would be fun. I mean, I'd love to do anything Skully-related. We’ve done interactive rides - there's one at California Adventure. I love the music component, too - being able to sing sometimes is fun.