Girlfriend
  • News
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Life and Advice
  • Entertainment
  • Role Model Search
  • Dolly Doctor
  • Video
Girlfriend
  • News
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Life and Advice
  • Entertainment
  • Role Model Search
  • Dolly Doctor
  • Video
  1. Home
  2. Entertainment

Kelly Marie Tran is making Disney history in her lead role in Disney’s ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’

Congrats to this new official Disney princess!
  • 28 Aug 2020
Kelly Marie Tran is making Disney history in her lead role in Disney’s ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’

Star Wars: The Last Jedi star Kelly Marie Tran is about to make her lead film debut as the main character in one of Disney’s upcoming new flicks. 

From the creators of Big Hero Six and Moana comes Raya and the Last Dragon, an exciting new animated film about one girl’s quest to find a mystical beast and stop an ancient evil race of monsters from enslaving her home. 

According to a Disney press release shared with Girlfriend, Tran will play Raya, “a lone warrior [who] must track down the last dragon to stop the Druun—monsters who have returned after 500 years to once again threaten her homeworld, Kumandra.” 

And, on top of the film being the first Disney movie inspired by Southeast Asia, Kelly Marie Tran is also the first Southeast Asian actress to lead a film from the company. The film is co-written by playwright Qui Nguyen and Crazy Rich Asians scribe Adele Lim, and in collaboration with a Lao visual anthropologist and the Southeast Asia Story Trust. 

Speaking with EW, Tran said that her character is unlike any other Disney princess.

“She is someone who is technically a princess but I think that what's really cool about this project, about this character, specifically is that everyone's trying to flip the narrative on what it means to be a princess,” Tran said. “Raya is totally a warrior. When she was a kid, she was excited to get her sword. And she grows up to be a really badass, gritty warrior and can really take care of herself.”

On her journey, Raya will be joined by her trusty steed Tuk Tuk—a creature director Don Hall describes as a fuzzy bear meets “an insect version of an armadillo.” Here’s a pic of the two together.

Raya and the Last Dragon

Kelly Marie Tran will star alongside Awkwafina when Raya and the Last Dragon premieres on the 12th of March, 2021. In the meantime, we’ll be here, reminiscing the time she brought her dad with her to the Oscars 🥺.

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%

Recommended to you

Sophie Monk drops another epic Love Island trailer
Watch 1:00

Sophie Monk drops another epic Love Island trailer

{headline}

{headline}

Fans aren’t too happy about ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’s’ Southeast Asian rep

Fans aren’t too happy about ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’s’ Southeast Asian rep

In ‘Raya and the Last Dragon,’ Kelly Marie Tran is Disney's dragon searching princess

In ‘Raya and the Last Dragon,’ Kelly Marie Tran is Disney's dragon searching princess

HoMie X Disney is the 90s inspired collaboration making an ethical difference

HoMie X Disney is the 90s inspired collaboration making an ethical difference

From Her Disney Roots To *That* Love Triangle: Sabrina Carpenter's Rise To Fame

From Her Disney Roots To *That* Love Triangle: Sabrina Carpenter's Rise To Fame

{headline}

{headline}

Disney’s ‘Soul’ is skipping theatres and heading to Disney Plus

Disney’s ‘Soul’ is skipping theatres and heading to Disney Plus

A Disney Plus Drive-In Is Coming To Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne

A Disney Plus Drive-In Is Coming To Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne

Disney+ is launching a GroupWatch feature so you can see baby Yoda together, separately

Disney+ is launching a GroupWatch feature so you can see baby Yoda together, separately

{headline}

{headline}

Yara Shahidi is Tinkerbell in live action ‘Peter Pan’

Yara Shahidi is Tinkerbell in live action ‘Peter Pan’

Everything you need to know about ‘Cinderella’ starring Camila Cabello

Everything you need to know about ‘Cinderella’ starring Camila Cabello

Tom Holland just turned down this ‘Tangled’ live action role

Tom Holland just turned down this ‘Tangled’ live action role

Okay, why was Disney Channel's fashion in the 2000s so awful?

Okay, why was Disney Channel's fashion in the 2000s so awful?

Here's who the cast of Disney Plus’s 'Secret Society Of Second-Born Royals' are dating

Here's who the cast of Disney Plus’s 'Secret Society Of Second-Born Royals' are dating

Katy Perry & Halsey just performed some of ur fave Disney songs

Katy Perry & Halsey just performed some of ur fave Disney songs

Disney + just removed a ton of movies and subscribers are furious

Disney + just removed a ton of movies and subscribers are furious

Girlfriend
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Girlfriend

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%