Let’s be honest: Disney isn’t exactly known for inclusivity, and it has more than a few problematic movies in its vault. But over the last few years, Disney has been taking steps to showcase more diverse characters and stories (though not always hitting the mark). We saw it with 2020’s Out, a short film about a gay man coming out to his parents, and with the inclusion of a trans character in Baymax earlier this year. And now, we’re finally being introduced to our first plus-size protagonist in Reflect.
The six-minute animated short streaming on Disney+ welcomes Bianca, a young dancer in ballet class, to the small screen. She’s passionate about the craft, but appears disappointed when she sees her reflection in the mirror, sucking in her belly and lifting her chin up to fit in. Almost immediately, Bianca is transported to a barely lit room, where mirrors reign supreme and the young dancer comes face-to-face with her reflection at all angles. This, of course, is meant to symbolize the body dysmorphia she’s experiencing.
