Disney’s Chief Diversity Officer, Latondra Newton, is said to be leaving the company, concluding a six-year tenure that saw several contentious decisions as the corporation implemented progressive policies, which stirred disquiet among a substantial segment of its customer base.
Disney World in Orlando, Florida, made waves last year when it replaced its traditional greeting, “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,” at its Magic Kingdom fireworks show to foster inclusivity.
In a previous statement, Newton stated, “We aim to conjure magical experiences for our cast members and guests. We don’t want to make assumptions about individuals based on our perception of their gender presentation.”
Under Newton’s direction, Disney also replaced the term “fairy godmothers” with more inclusive, gender-neutral designations at dress-up boutiques within its theme parks. The employees previously known as “Fairy Godmothers in Training” are now called “Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices.”
Disney blog “Streaming the Magic” suggested that this change allows staff members who do not identify as female to be part of dressing up and styling the children without having to refer to themselves as a female Disney characters.
Since 2017, Newton has spearheaded Disney’s diversity and inclusion programs, collaborating with numerous teams to create content that mirrors a global audience and maintains a welcoming, inclusive environment for all, per her profile on the company’s website.
Disney’s recent release, “The Little Mermaid,” starring Halle Bailey, an African-American actress, as Princess Ariel, underscores the company’s dedication to enhancing diversity.
According to an insider, Newton is reportedly set to join another corporate board and devote more time to her creative company. Disney has yet to publicly comment on Newton’s anticipated departure, which Variety initially reported.
Newton’s immediate team will be temporarily overseen by Julie Merges, the Senior Vice President of Talent Acquisition, per an internal memo from Disney’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Sonia Coleman.
Throughout Newton’s tenure, Disney introduced diverse characters, including gay, lesbian, transgender, non-binary, and other minority figures, into its animated series and films, positioning the company amid the nation’s cultural debates.
Disney has instituted numerous changes, such as changing Minnie Mouse’s outfit from her traditional red and white polka-dot dress to a blue pantsuit. The company also decided to exclude the seven dwarves characters from its live-action Snow White remake, responding to criticism regarding the portrayal of the dwarfism community.
Last month, a survey conducted by Axios and Harris Poll revealed that Disney’s reputation took a hit due to its involvement in polarizing subjects, including transgender and sexual identity issues. Disney was rated the fifth most polarizing company, a score calculated by the reputational gap between Democrat and Republican views.
Disney’s ranking plummeted 12 spots to 77th place in this year’s Axios and Harris Poll 100, based on a survey of 16,310 Americans conducted between March 13 and 28.
Disney is embroiled in a high-stakes dispute with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a potential GOP presidential candidate, after publicly opposing the governor’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill to restrict sex and gender identity education in elementary schools. In response, DeSantis threatened to revoke Disney’s semi-autonomous status, giving it broad authority to tax and control zoning regulations in Central Florida, where its resorts and amusement parks reside. Disney subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging that the Florida governor and his Republican allies in the state legislature had infringed upon the company’s First Amendment rights.
Latondra Newton’s departure marks a significant shift for Disney, a company increasingly focusing on diversity and inclusivity. Her departure also raises questions about the future direction of the company’s policies, especially given the controversies that have emerged over the last few years. As Disney continues to navigate the waters of culture and policy, observers will be keen to see how it balances its commitment to diversity with the expectations of its diverse customer base.
