The appearance of a male Disney employee dressed in a “Fairy Godmother apprentice” costume and accompanying children into a dress store has sparked controversy on popular social media platforms TikTok and Twitter.
In the video, the employee, introducing himself as Nick, addresses the children while donning a blue dress and vibrant blue eyeshadow.
“So, my name is Nick, I am one of the fairy godmother’s apprentices,” he says. “I’m here to shop you around and make all your selections for the day.”
The footage was shared on TikTok by Kourtni Faber, a mother of three, who documented her visit to Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The video has amassed nearly 7 million views on TikTok alone.
@kourtnifaber A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you’re fast asleep 👑 ✨ #disneyland #bibbidibobbidiboutique #corememory
Disney’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where the video was filmed, previously referred to its staff as “Fairy Godmothers in Training.”
However, the theme park recently updated the title to “Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices” to foster inclusivity and gender-neutrality. The video quickly went viral on Twitter, eliciting mixed reactions from users.
Some Twitter users expressed their disappointment, suggesting that the job should have been given to a “real girl” who aspired to work at Disney.
Dave Rubin, host of the “Rubin Report,” tweeted, “Think how many real girls want that job at Disney and they gave it to him for a reason…” Brandon Morse, a senior editor at Red State, also chimed in, tweeting, “May you never suffer the same destruction of your legacy that poor Walt has.”
Sara Gonzales, host of The News and Why It Matters on BlazeTV, urged her followers to reconsider taking their families to Disney.
Meanwhile, writer Avi Woolf dismissed the controversy, describing the costume as “harmless” and pointing out that it appears silly to children.
“Stop seeing enemies everywhere, we have enough real ones,” Woolf remarked.
The video sparked a debate on social media, highlighting differing perspectives on gender representation and inclusivity.
While some viewers voiced concerns about gender-specific roles, others defended the Disney employee’s choice of attire and emphasized the importance of embracing diversity.
Disney has long been an advocate for diversity and inclusion, aiming to create a welcoming environment for all guests and employees. The company’s decision to update the title of the staff members at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique reflects its commitment to promoting gender neutrality and equal opportunities.
As the discussion surrounding the video continues, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing societal dialogue on gender roles and the importance of fostering an inclusive and accepting environment for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity or expression.
