Disney to Introduce First Latina Princess, ‘Elena of Avalor’

Disney will introduce its first Latina princess next year, the company announced Thursday.

Princess “Elena of Avalor” will get her own TV show on Disney Junior beginning next year, said Nancy Kanter, executive vice president and general manager of Disney Junior Wordwide, in a statement.

The new princess is described in a press release as “a confident and compassionate teenager in an enchanted fairytale kingdom inspired by diverse Latin cultures and folklore.”

“Our creative team has delivered a universal story with themes that authentically reflect the hopes and dreams of our diverse audience,” Kanter said in her statement, according to ABC News. “What excites us most is the chance to use distinctive animation and visual design to tell wonderful stories influenced by culture and traditions that are familiar to the worldwide population of Hispanic and Latino families and reflect the interests and aspirations of all children as told through a classic fairy tale.”

Other characters on the show will include Elena’s grandfather Tito, grandmother Cici, wizard-in-training Mateo, and adviser Duke Esteban, according to the Wall Street Journal. The princess will make her debut on another Disney Junior show, Sofia the First, before receiving her own spin-off.

Disney’s first Latina princess joins the company’s diverse roster of established princesses, including Pocahontas, who is Native American, Mulan, who is Chinese, Tiana, who is African-American, and Jasmine, who is Arab.

Dominican Republic-born actress Aimee Carrero, of ABC Family’s Young & Hungry, will provide the voice for the character, according to People magazine.