Alright, confession time: I set out to do this role model countdown with a certain level of zeal that I'm sure surprised some of you, but truth be told: it's part of some deeper research I've been working on for a while.
As many of you, I'm a student of both film and feminism, and I'm particularly fascinated par how women are portrayed and have evolved in Disney animation. I've been researching and écriture about my findings with Disney and feminism for a while, but I wanted to see what toi GUYS, the devoted fans, see in your favori (or least favorite) heroines. Are they truly good role models? What do WE as a generation value? And since several of us are from different generations than others, how do we differ?
I have to tell you, this countdown yielded some considerable surprises, and I've definitely logged away some of your responses for my research. I'm thankful for everyone who contributed in any way. Later on today, I'll be posting an article called "Disney Heroines: A Feminist Evolution, Part 1," and it will be a series of articles focusing on what I've learned about each of our favori Disney women through my studies and your input. But until then, here's the countdown: The Best Role Model, According to Fanpop.



10. Ariel
The bottom spot immediately ignited some INTENSE débats among Fans. fanpop immediately divisé, split into two camps, Team Aurora and Team Ariel, about who truly was the worse role model. After a pretty intense tiebreaker, the hugely populaire princess landed in the absolute Worst Role Model spot for being recklessly impulsive, naive, and being willing to throw her family under the bus for a boy she doesn't know. That's not to say that Team Ariel didn't put up a good fight, though. This is one Princess who divided fanpop right up the middle.

WHAT toi SAID:
" Well, the thing she can teach little girls are: running away from accueil for a guy is perfectly fine; toi shouldn't care about your family even though your family cares about you; not giving a damn for your Friends is something every little girl should do; making deals with evil looking strangers is recommended; and finally (almost) killing your family and Friends due to your own general stupidity will make your life complete".-- BelleAnastasia

"Ariel: Actually go after what toi want in life and never give up if toi really want it that much. It's ok to make mistakes because everyone does but toi have to at least try to fix them yourself".—Straggy



9. Aurora
Although she narrowly inched ahead of Ariel as far as role model status, Aurora found herself destined to be at the bottom from the beginning. Although a few Aurora fans cited her as sweet and caring, most fans agree that she doesn't contribute much to her own destiny and that she's donné so little screen time that we barely know her par the end of the film.

WHAT toi SAID:
"She's very obedient, which is not a bad thing...but she doesn't really stand up for herself ou fight for what she really wants...its almost as if she doesn't have a backbone" —DreamyGal

"Aurora literally has everything dished up to her; beauty, a beautiful voice, a talent with dancing...she doesn't have to work for anything, and all she has to do is sleep and wait for her prince. This is actually why Aurora is very low on my list".—ppgbelle4


8. Jasmine
For me, the fact that jasmin landed in this spot was truly surprising. Normally she's a pretty populaire princess, but fans cited her seemingly spoiled and demanding nature as a definite bad role model quality. She was called ungrateful for her pretty cushy princess life. However, this was another princess who seemed to divide fanpop in half. Although she eventually took the number 8 slot with minimal effort, lots plus people spoke up for jasmin than defamed her, leaving fanpop divided once again.

WHAT toi SAID:
"She's really moody and mean when she doesn't have to be".—sarahcorine

"She runs away from accueil even though her life there is pretty good, it's not like she's being abused ou mistreated". – milky-way

"And jasmin (who has lived her whole life of privileges, not having to think about things like paying, how to survive on the streets and stuff) , and she gives all that away for what she believes in (not being forced in to marrying someone she doesn´t love, having other people living her life). She also chooses to marry Aladdin, a thief even though the law forbids it. She is a great role model, who shows that standing up for what toi believe in, and not letting other people control your life".—JonnaSe



7. Snow White
Snow White's position also came as a bit of a surprise, since the classic princesses are usually the first to go in just about everything. However, Snow White seems to have seen a resurgence in popularity and respect, and fans seemed to be pretty gentle in criticizing her. Most people didn't claim her to be a terrible role model, just an outdated one. Her cutesy, innocent, naive qualities don't stand up realistically to girls today, according to Fans, but she's a cute princess nonetheless.

WHAT toi SAID:

"I don't think she is the worst role model EVER, but when it comes to today's standards, she doesn't really cut it. I mean, she teaches girls to be kind, hopeful, and optimistic, and she does teach toi the lesson to not take nourriture from strangers. However, it is better for girls to have a stronger role model".—ppgbelle4



6) Rapunzel
Here, fans were unusually quiet. It was clear to everyone that Rapunzel seemed to be the worse role model of the princesses that remained in the countdown, but no one seemed completely sure why. Her personality just didn't seem strong enough to compare to the others. Some called her out for disobeying her mother and running away, while others claimed that dallying with a thief wasn't the brightest decision, but on the whole Rapunzel landed in this spot for reasons best described as uncertain.

WHAT toi SAID:

"Running away from accueil and relying on a thief to help toi seems stupid.
Well, she's not, but she didn't really think of the consequences before she made a deal with Flynn. She's only a kid, she'll get killed in the outside world, and no amount of magical hair would help her if Flynn turned out to be a greedy bastard who only wants to trick her."-Darkshine

"She's just the worst one out of all of these choices, I think. I mean, she does run away from accueil and doesn't associate herself with the best people (Flynn)."-- ppgbelle4



5) Cinderella
montrer that classic Princess do have a little staying power, Cendrillon came in at number 5, another surprising turn. Although she was voted for in every round, up until round five, someone else always seemed to be worse. Much like Snow White, fans seemed to believe that Cendrillon truly is a good role model, she just didn't compare to the rest of the liste because of her seeming inability to control her own destiny without lots of help. Others believe she should have stood up for herself more. Whatever the reason, Cendrillon found herself right in the middle of the countdown.

WHAT toi SAID:

"I say the others are better role mannequins then her.She really didn't stand up for herself around her step mother and step sisters,she just let them abuse her.She should've stood up to her self and let them know she is not prisoner and maid and she has rights too!"—Pocahontas1Fan

"She is a great girl, but everyone has a limit, and apparently hers stretches beyond most. Her father loved her, and she was entitled to live as a human being no matter what. After so long, I'd of fought back hard!"-- snowwhitesilver



4) Pocahontas
Pocahontas was another princess who left fans oddly speechless. She was voted out with little competition, but very few people left any commentaires about why they chose her, and the commentaires that were left seemed mostly about her cliff-diving. However, some a dit that she seemed to develop a whole different personality once she met John Smith and that she was plus reckless than the other choices listed. According to Fans, Pocahontas just paled in comparison to the others left on the list.

WHAT toi SAID:

"She is plus reckless than the others, I guess, because she keeps jumping off cliffs. She is a good role model, however, when it comes to the environment".—ppgbelle4

"I think she's plus reckless than there others, and once she meets John Smith it's like a different person. I don't know, I never found her to be the best of role models...."—Gabstersm



3. Tiana
The hard-working princess landed in this spot par a SMALL PERCETANGE, so it was a really close call between her and number two. It seems that a lot of that seems to correlate not so much with her qualities as a role model, but with her own basic unpopularity on the site. Although Tiana was called a great role model because of her determination, work ethic, and practicality, she does have her weak points: falling for a Playboy prince and being willing to give up on her dream for him being among them. It seems that even the best role model isn't perfect.

WHAT toi SAID:

"I like this haut, retour au début 3. Anyways out of these 3, Tiana may be the worst, but I still think she is a good rolemodel. I think it's just the fact that she works TOO hard and doesn't have fun that makes me think she's the worst out of these choices but other than that she is a great rolemodel.—loveandbeauty18



2. Belle
Disney's resident bookworm barely eeked past Tiana for this round, but found herself firmly planted in the seconde spot. fans l’amour her quirky personality, her strength of will, her devotion to her family, and her intelligence, but don't seem to l’amour her seeming lack of real drive and the fact that she fell in l’amour with someone who was mean and hot-tempered (not to mention fuzzy.) However, despite her low points, Belle has proven once again that a l’amour of literature and a relatable personality can get toi a LONG way, particularly on Fanpop.

WHAT toi SAID:

"Mmm... well, if toi look at it in a non-Disney perspective... things could have gone REALLY bad when she gave up her former life to be with the Beast. Of course in Disney, a kind woman can succeed in changing a bad-tempered beast into a gentleman but in reality, she would have ended up a battered and beaten housewife.
So kids, don't go trying to change bad-tempered and scary men into gentlemen".-- Weaslyismyking


"I admire Belle because she didn't judge someone on the outside. She looked inside and saw him as a beautiful soul. Now days, people judge all the time and they rarely ever get to the same conclusion Belle did".-- SarahCorine



1. Mulan
The most badass princess of them all easily landed the haut, retour au début spot, gaining the titre of Best Role Model. With her courage, devotion to her family, and determination to be herself, Mulan was easily the best contender for the title, and fans agreed almost unanimously... although Mulan didn't escape without her own share of criticism.

WHAT toi SAID:

"But yeah, Mulan is the best role model. montrer that girl´s can kick ass, that not letting your family decide for you, to make your own decisions (even though toi might "fail")".-- JonnaSe

"She ran away from home, put herself and her family in danger, was lazy and cheating in the beginning, and we want to teach girls to cheat their way into something? but she is still an amazing role model, btw."-- princesslullaby

"Mulan actually tried to make something of herself and prove to people she wasn't just an outcast."-- boolander25

"I HIGHLY admire Mulan for her devotion to protect her family and her bravery, but what she did was extremly dangerous, and put her and her family in danger. Luckily for her it all ended well."-- DreamyGal

Keep an eye out for Disney Heroines: A Feminist Evolution, coming soon, and Thanks to everyone who participated!