Winx. Faerie fashion faux pa, or just in the realm of realism?

After delving into the new Netflix series ‘Fate: The Winx saga’ I couldn’t help but notice one drastic change from the original animation series (04-09.) Well other than flora, a light skinned POC being exchanged for Terra a Mid size white woman, which on it’s own is something that needs addressing. Not that I have any issues with the lovely actress behind the character, but not only did they do POC dirty, they had one over on the ‘plus sized’ community too, but I'll get to that. 

The original Nickelodeon TV animation ‘Winx club’, much like the live action follows a fairy, Bloom; on her journey to control and master her fairy powers. Within her kick ass group of friends, they embark on heroic missions, boasting their femininity as well as their strengths. So what’s so different with the live action? While the plot is okay and easy to follow, the show trades in those fairy fashionistas for a much more ‘realistic’ take on their styles and aesthetics. 

This alone angered a lot of fan followers of the OG series. But here's my issue with it, and with any show that dulls down an original character's concept of beauty/style. It falls prey to the age old myth, that in order for a woman to have worth or depth, she must not care too much about her image. In simpler terms, “it’s either beauty or brains, you can’t have both.” 

While I understood where the show was coming from. They wanted to make it more realistic, dark and brooding. The show lacks what the animation thrived on. Fashion. After indulging myself on a few of the OG episodes, it’s quite clear these girls have both a passion for fashion, and for kicking some ass. Would it have been so hard for netflix to embody the same energy, and teach girls/women that your ‘depth’ can be just as great, even if you’re fashionable and flamboyant?

Coming back to Terra, the only real ‘plus sized’ character. At first I thought oh, they actually made this girl seem pretty confident and dominant, but upon re reviewing, it’s quite clear they let Terra fall straight into the category of the ‘plain jane, bubbly personality’ stereotype that most plus sized characters get cast aside into. They had the opportunity to flaunt the concept of a larger, or less generically shaped woman actually feeling hella confident in her body, style and sense of self. But instead, went with the same concept we’ve seen a thousand times over.

There is still no news on whether or not the series will get its second season. In all honesty I hope it does, so they can address its issues and change the show's message to all it’s viewers. A woman's image does not define her depth.