#2: A Disney Muse
Pocahontas was groundbreaking when it was released in the 1990s. It was the company’s first Disney princess of color, and Native American actress Irene Bedard voiced the character. Irene was cast to voice Pocahontas in the 1995 Disney film, and she influenced the character’s development in a really cool way.
In addition to being the voice of Disney’s Pocahontas, the renowned Iñupiat and Métis actress also served as a visual reference for the animated character’s appearance and mannerisms. Irene has said that during the movie’s making, the animators used footage of her as a reference for hand gestures, facial expressions, and other unique traits.