Meet Disney’s First Afro-Latina Princess

still image from the teaser trailer for the movie Wish

It's time to break out the bubbly, Disney fans! The studio is making strides towards greater diversity and representation in its films with the announcement of their first Afro-Latina heroine. Ariana DeBose, a Golden Globe winner, will be playing Asha in Wish, an upcoming film that explores the origin of the iconic wishing star.


The character Asha is described as a driven and intelligent young woman who is an optimist and a natural leader. As she embarks on her journey, Asha sees the darkness in the world that others don't and strives to bring light and positivity to those around her.

The reveal of the film at the D23 Expo was met with enthusiastic applause from fans, and DeBose expressed her excitement on Instagram, saying, "The Disney kid inside me is doing cartwheels🤸🏾♀️ I can't wait for you all to meet Asha!"

The film's directors, Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn, are seasoned Disney veterans, having directed popular titles like Frozen and Moana. For Wish, they are blending traditional and modern animation techniques, incorporating both 3D CG animation and watercolors.

In an era where diversity and representation are essential in shaping the entertainment industry, Disney's decision to promote a broader range of experiences in their storytelling is more critical than ever. We can't wait to see Asha's journey unfold and to see more diverse representation in Disney films in the future. Here's to more wishes coming true and a future where representation is the norm, not the exception.

a group of men working on a rebuilding

The aftermath of the Eaton and Palisades fires that started raging on January 7, 2025, has left Los Angeles facing one of the largest rebuilding efforts in its history. Estimates of economic loss reach $250 billion. While city officials move forward with recovery plans, attention is turning to the workforce responsible for reconstructing thousands of homes and businesses.

Keep ReadingShow less
latino father helping his daughter with homework

As of 2024, there are about 3.52 million Latine families in the United States led by single mothers. This isn't just a statistic; it’s the vivid reality of Latinas shouldering the responsibility of parenting without the active support of a co-parent figure.

Keep ReadingShow less
A Latina woman in full color, set against a background showcasing a collection of wedding dresses, evoking a sense of the past.

In the United States, societal attitudes toward marriage are evolving, evidenced by a significant decrease in marriage rates – dropping from a robust 76.5% in 1970 to a more modest 47% as of 2022 – this trend spans various communities, including the Latino community, which is actively challenging conventional norms, reshaping roles, and forging new paths in their conceptions of love and family.

Keep ReadingShow less