There is nothing like representation on the big and small screen whether you’re an adult or a child. We’ve seen a lot of progress in the TV and film industry in the past few years as characters of color take the forefront of stories with nuance, complexity, and layered storylines. Most importantly as the characters evolve, we’ve also seen a change in how their hair texture and pattern have mirrored our own making for an exciting watch. Curly hair needs to be represented in all shapes, colors, and lengths and we’re excited to see more curly-haired cartoon characters being included across a variety of industries.
Gabby’s Dollhouse
Gabby is a curious and lively animated character brought to you by Netflix. She loves cats, cooking, and represents a new kind of character since she embraces and accepts her mistakes. Each epic adventure showcases how she encounters new experiences, friends, and a variety of paw-tastic sidekicks to help her along the way. Her curly hair has become a staple for viewers with the show selling a variety of accessories that teaches people how they can make their curls sparkle.
DC Superhero Girls: Bumblebee
As a first-generation character, Bumblebee has been a formidable character as a superhero, scientist, and student in this animated series. Her honey-blonde streaks in her hair are styled in cornrows with her curls and are an ode to her character name. She is a great addition to a powerful lineup of DC characters in this show who are transformed into teenagers to appeal to a younger audience.
Brave: Princess Merida
Disney hit it out of the park with their movie Brave which follows Princess Merida from the Scottish kingdom of Dunbroch fighting for freedom for herself and her family. As one of the first curly-haired princesses to grace the Disney screen, we love to see her beautiful and voluminous curls wave in the wind as she conquers the opposition throughout the film. Her big hair matches a big personality and heart that is brimming with rebellious and fun energy.
Bigmouth: Missy Foreman-Greenwald
Missy is the lead of the animated Netflix series “Big Mouth” who has begun to explore her race and identity in recent seasons. Her short and soft curls reflect the changing landscape of adolescence and how cartoons can provide a humorous lens for the most awkward conversations like sexuality and trying to find your place in the world. As a mixed-race character we also get to see her experiment with different hairstyles like wearing her natural curls and then rocking braids as her personal style develops.
As Told by Ginger: Ginger Foutley
Ginger is one of the original curly cartoon characters to grace our screen as most millennials will remember her show on Nickelodeon. Ginger works through all the coming-of-age trials to fit in with new social circles, make friends, and brave the complex world of adolescence. Her short and curly hair is a far cry from the detailed looks we see in modern animation, but we still pay homage to this trailblazing character.
Moana and Maui: Moana
We love a Disney princess on the big screen who is off on a whirlwind adventure that has us on the edge of our seats. Moana takes her journey to the high seas where she is out to save her tribe from a life-threatening blackness. She meets the charismatic Maui, a demigod who she works with to tackle all the obstacles in her way. We love her gorgeous curls and how Disney showcased a range of lengths and textures for her and Maui.
Home: Gratuity “Tip” Tucci
Tip Tucci not only made waves for being voiced by the fabulous Rihanna but also for taking the audience on an otherworldly journey. Rihanna is famously on the record for ensuring this character would be empowering to little girls everywhere regardless of their race, size, or skin color. She worked with Dreamworks to ensure this curly-haired teenager was an authentic representation of girls today.
Encanto: Madrigral Family
Who didn’t love Encanto? It was not only a hit for its infectious tunes and magical family but the enchanting lead Mirabel. As our curly-haired heroine, Mirabel spends the movie trying to uncover what her gifts are in her magical family. Many of the women sport a range of naturally curly hair and textures that has us giving a big thumbs up for representation.
You have to see the Encanto lookalikes this movie inspired.
See more: These Curly Encanto Lookalikes Will Warm Your Heart
Kim Possible: Monique
Monique is the best friend to the infamous Kim Possible who helps her navigate the personal and social challenges of growing up. She’s got a knack for fashion design and is often seen wearing long and thick curls that roll down her back. Monique is always there to help Kim Possible in her most vulnerable moments and can also be a strong compass for Kim during stressful times.
The Princess and The Frog: Princess Tiana
Oh did Miss Tiana make a splash when she made her debut as the first Black princess in a Disney film. Before she goes on her adventure going from a frog to a princess, we get to see Tiana’s beautiful curls in a series of updos and ponytails as she pursues her dream to build her own restaurant. As the first Disney princess to represent a Black woman, it was very satisfying to see her hair texture and shape authentically represented onscreen.
Gracie’s Corner
Gracie’s Corner is a YouTube channel for kids created to address the lack of representation that parents Javoris Hollingsworth and Arlene Gordon-Hollingsworth had noticed in their children’s programming. “Everyone deserves to be seen or feel like they matter,” Javoris told ESSENCE. “We felt like there was a lack of representation, especially in edutainment. And we figured, ‘Hey, let’s be proactive and create our own.’” Popular videos of theirs include “I Love My Hair” (above) which of course, we love.
Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, a new animated series from Marvel now streaming on Disney+, follows the adventures of a 13-year-old genius superhero and her accidental dinosaur sidekick in Lower East Side, New York. The internet was most excited about episode 5 of the series, where the main character Lunella is made to feel insecure about her natural hair. Her reaction (straightening her hair) takes a surprising turn and ends with her missing her natural hair.
Did we miss any of your favorite characters? What shows or movies are you excited to watch?
Check out: You Have To See These Girls Reacting To Hair Bonnets On TV In Rise Up, Sing Out
