Tiana's skin color: more of an issue for adults then for kids...?
People who went to see this movie with little kids: did they respond noticeably to the skin color of Tiana?
I remember quite vividly when the movie was first released, that the media was all over 'Disney's first black princess' etc. and whether or not it would affect the audience and the movie's popularity.
Came opening night, there were live reactions on the news from people who left the theatre after screening. One mother, who had her four year old (caucasian) daughter with her, was asked how she felt about the movie. She said she liked it, and it seemed to her that her daughter liked it as well. Then, of course, they turned to the topic of the skin color, and asked the little girl "What color did the princess have?"
Now, the kid's answer, I got completely. But the adults' response however...
The little girl simply answered... "BLUE." Her mother and the interviewer started laughing, and the mother immediately corrected her by saying "No honey, she's not blue, she's black." The girl's face was one of utter confusion, and no one seemed to get why.
The girl was obviously (understandably) smitten by the look of Tiana in her - now signature - blue princess dress, and assigned only that color as an identifying trait to the character. Completely oblivious of the skin tone. But adults just had to step in and 'teach' this girl what her response was supposed to be about.
It has stayed with me for the longest time, seeing this play out.
Similar experiences?