Disney Gets Slammed For Fat-Shaming 'Moana' Polynesian God Character, Depicts Maui As Obese

Disney is getting criticisms for its upcoming animated flick, "Moana." While the movie is expected to hit theaters in a few months, teasers have already been released.  However, these teasers are generating negative attention from the public, especially from those who are from the Pacific Islands or have Polynesian roots.

At the center of the controversy is the photo of a Polynesian god character, Maui, from "Moana," which many say is wrongly depicted as obese. A post on Facebook from a Samoan rugby player highlighted this fact. "Three hottest men in Hollywood are Polynesian, but Disney's Polynesian Maui is half pig, half hippo," Eliota Fuimanono Sapolu wrote.

Sapolu's sentiments was also echoed by Jenny Salesa, who is a Tongan politician from New Zealand. Salesa writes on her Facebook that Polynesian men and women are "not overweight" and Maui's depiction is upholding a negative stereotype. However, The Guardian reports that the World Health Organization has pointed out in a 2014 report that the Pacific Islands has "nine of the 10 most obese nations in the world." 

Refinery underscores that many on Twitter also agreed that the depiction can be offensive. But the news outlet also noted that "Moana" has had such positive response from the general public, except for this controversy. The consensus is that Disney got it right featuring a new princess that's not typically Caucasian. "Moana" is a testament to the studio's attempt to become diverse and this is not the first time it has done so.

Consequently, not everyone with Polynesian roots see any offense with the depiction of Maui in the "Moana" animated flick. "I get more of a 'strong, bodyguard-type' vibe," wrote Leah Damm from The Spinoff. Isoa Kavakimotu, who is Tongan, also defended the way Maui is portrayed and he believes he's not obese. Watch his explanation in the video at the end of this article.

Do you think Disney got the "Moana" character wrong? What are your thoughts about this controversy? Let us know in the comments!