Chanel Stewart, an 18-year-old transgender actress from Los Angeles, is speaking out after Disney decided to remove a transgender storyline from Pixar’s upcoming animated series Win or Lose. The series, which premieres February 19, 2025, on Disney+, originally featured Stewart voicing a transgender teenage girl—a role she felt deeply connected to and viewed as groundbreaking representation for trans youth.
In 2020, Stewart saw a casting call for a transgender teenage girl to voice a character in Win or Lose, a story about a co-ed softball team preparing for their championship game. “I was exactly what they wanted,” Stewart recalls. “It felt so right.” After securing the role, Stewart, then 14, proudly shared the news with her friends, seeing the project as an opportunity to provide representation for trans kids like herself.
However, this week, Disney informed Stewart and her mother, Keisha, that the storyline had been cut. According to a statement from Disney, “When it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.”
A Disheartening Decision
The news was devastating for Stewart and her family. “It was upsetting because my daughter is transgender, and this is her life,” said Keisha. “Everyone deserves to be recognized. It felt like another setback for the LGBTQ community, especially for transgender youth.”
Stewart expressed her disappointment, saying, “I was very disheartened. Trans stories matter, and they deserve to be heard.” She emphasized the importance of visibility, stating that her role was intended to empower trans youth and spark meaningful conversations.
Despite the changes, Stewart remains a key part of the show. Disney told her that her character would now be a cisgender girl, which Stewart acknowledged but admitted was a missed opportunity for authentic representation.
Mixed Reactions
The decision has reignited debates about the representation of LGBTQ+ characters in media for younger audiences. Critics argue that removing the storyline erases an important conversation about diversity and inclusion.
Keisha Stewart highlighted the broader implications of Disney’s decision: “This is the world we live in, and everyone should be represented. There are young people out there who need to see themselves on screen, who need to feel seen and validated.”
Stewart’s Legacy
While disappointed, Stewart takes pride in her pioneering role. “I’m definitely one of the first [transgender girls] to do this,” she said, reflecting on her contribution to queer history.
As Win or Lose approaches its premiere, the controversy surrounding Disney’s decision underscores the challenges and responsibilities of creating inclusive content. For Stewart, the experience remains a milestone in her career and a testament to the resilience of trans voices in storytelling.