Cupcakes & Tea with Elizabeth

Tag: princess

  • The Little Mermaid Live-Action: A Beautiful Wave of Representation

    The Little Mermaid Live-Action: A Beautiful Wave of Representation

    Disney recently announced that Halle Bailey will star as Ariel in the upcoming live-action remake of The Little Mermaid—and I couldn’t be more excited! It’s such a powerful moment for young girls everywhere to see another princess of color on the big screen.

    When The Princess and the Frog came out in 2009, I was already 13, and while I loved the idea of Tiana, I didn’t really get to experience that childhood magic of seeing someone who looked like me as a Disney princess. Having that kind of representation earlier would’ve meant the world.

    Of course, the casting has sparked plenty of online discussion—some positive, some not so much. But it’s important to remember that The Little Mermaid is a fairytale, not a cultural story rooted in specific traditions like Pocahontas. While Hans Christian Andersen was Danish, Disney’s version of Ariel was never tied to that culture. It’s a timeless story of curiosity, love, and finding your voice—and Halle Bailey’s take on Ariel is simply an evolution of that story for a new generation.

    I’m genuinely looking forward to watching this film in theaters. Seeing a Black actress step into such an iconic role feels monumental and long overdue. It also brings back fond memories of Brandy’s Cinderella—a magical, barrier-breaking performance that proved diversity belongs in every fairytale.

    And don’t worry—we’ll always have the beloved animated Ariel too. But this new Little Mermaid promises to bring something fresh, inclusive, and inspiring. Here’s to singing along (again) to Part of Your World—this time with even more heart. 💙🧜🏽‍♀️

    Her voice is amazing!

  • Following My Grandma’s Footsteps in Sweden: Reflections on Equality, Culture & Connection

    Following My Grandma’s Footsteps in Sweden: Reflections on Equality, Culture & Connection

    While reading through my grandmother’s travel diary from her time in Sweden, I came across an entry that stopped me in my tracks:

    “Swedes are allowed to go anywhere, eat in the grass at the palace lawn, see parks as they wish. The new law is that the Princess who is older than her brother will be queen. We Swedes are implementing equal rights for women!”
    ~ Vivian Olson, June 17th

    I found myself smiling — not just because of her words, but because I had nearly the same thoughts during my own visit to Sweden decades later.

    There’s something truly special about how open and accessible life feels there. I remember watching newlyweds taking photos outside a royal palace, families picnicking on the palace lawn, and children playing with their dogs in the gardens. In so many other parts of the world, these spaces are roped off or reserved for the elite. But in Sweden, the royal grounds feel like they belong to everyone. That sense of shared belonging left such an impression on me.

    Just as my grandma observed, Sweden continues to lead with progressive values — especially when it comes to gender equality. Women have a strong voice in government, and citizens tend to vote based on values and policies rather than gender. It’s a refreshing contrast to what I often see in the U.S., where the focus can still be on who is breaking barriers instead of why they’re leading.

    Yet, even in Sweden, there’s acknowledgment that progress is ongoing. Equality is not a finish line but a continual effort — a mindset I think both our nations are still navigating.

    I love seeing how my grandmother’s reflections and mine intertwine — two generations apart, yet observing the same beauty in everyday freedoms and the same hope for equality. Her words remind me how much our perspectives are shaped by those who came before us, and how their journeys continue to guide our own.

    Side Note: Some Swedes still feel their country has work to do in reaching full equality — which makes me wonder: how far behind is the U.S.? Are we striving toward an ideal that even the most progressive nations are still perfecting?