Former Disney princesses have come forward claiming they were expected to stay in character no matter what guests did to them, even during alleged incidents of sexual harassment.
The strict requirement known among artists as "integrity of character" is considered one of the most important rules of the profession.
«"Integrity of character is the most important thing. You won't compromise your character, even if someone tries to," former Disneyland performer Hunter Haag told the Daily Mail.
Alyssa Klinzing said one of the guests turned a normal gathering into something much darker. Instagram/Alyssa Klinzing
Another former princess reportedly felt trapped by the rule during an unfortunate incident at Disneyland in Anaheim in February 2018.
Alyssa Klinzing, then 20 and playing Princess Elsa, said one guest turned an ordinary meeting into something much darker.
«"The guest basically hugged me, then sniffed me from shoulder to ear, pressed his lips to my skin, and whispered in my ear that he was having indecent dreams about me," Klinzing told the publication.
«"I was practically frozen with fear.".
According to Klinzing, the conflict escalated as she continued to play her role.
«"He put his hands under my coat so no one could see where they were and tried to put his hands under my skirt and also to unzip the back.".
According to Klinzing, the conflict escalated as she continued to play her role. Alyssa Klinzing
«I was performing alone, so I remember everything was happening in slow motion at that moment and I really didn’t know what to do.».
Klinzing stated that she managed to avoid a collision, reported it to the administration, filed an incident report, and was considering legal action. However, she said, the visitor continued to visit the park.
Disney management reportedly told her the guest had an intellectual disability and would be allowed to return as long as he was accompanied by an adult.
She said that she subsequently met with him on several occasions.
Disney management reportedly told the women the guest had a mental disability and would be allowed to return as long as he was accompanied by an adult. Instagram/Hunter Haag
«"Every time I met with him, I filled out and filed an incident report, I did everything the company told me to do, but they never did anything.".
«"For artists, having to deal with situations like this on a daily basis is a very stressful situation," Klinzing added.
Several artists filed similar complaints against the same guest. (Alyssa Klinzing/Instagram)
She also stated that she later learned that several artists had filed similar complaints against the same guest.
«"If that same guest were to damage property, break a window, or do anything else related to Disney infrastructure, they would be kicked out and never allowed to return.".
Haag opened up about her own struggles while playing roles, including Rapunzel and Belle, from 2016 to 2021.
She recalled one incident when a father, who had come to the park with his wife and children, allegedly made an obscene gesture with his tongue at her.
Hunter Haag opened up about the difficult situations she faced while playing roles including Rapunzel and Belle from 2016 to 2021. Instagram/Hunter Haag
Despite feeling uncomfortable, Haag said breaking character was not an option.
She says guests weren't limited to inappropriate gestures. Some made rude comments, including one bachelorette party attendee who reportedly asked her, while she was playing Belle, how "well-endowed the Beast was.".
Even asking for help required the artists to stay in character.
Even asking for help required the performers to stay in character. Photo: Getty Images for Nolcha Shows
While both women said inappropriate behavior by guests is not uncommon, some incidents involving performers portraying Disney characters have led to police reports and arrests, the Daily Mail reports.
The publication noted that in 2019, performers in Orlando reported incidents of inappropriate touching by tourists, and in 2026, a father was escorted out of the park, arrested, and permanently banned from Disneyland after allegedly assaulting a performer portraying a character and another employee.
The women also spoke about the fierce competition that unfolds behind the scenes for coveted roles on TV shows.
Klinzing, who has played Elsa, Cinderella, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, and Captain Marvel during her time at Disney, compared the atmosphere to "a high school drama club.".
Haag claimed that one of the contenders for the role of Ariel allegedly tried to sabotage her competitors by distributing unflattering photos of other candidates.
However, the pressure did not stop even after the artists got the job.
A strict requirement known among artists as "integrity of character" is considered one of the most important rules of the profession. Instagram/Hunter Haag
According to Haag, Disney performers were expected to maintain a certain appearance, including a given body type and a youthful appearance.
«"It's not really about talent or hard work; it's all about looks," she added.
For Klinzing, these expectations ultimately became one of the reasons she left Disney after seven years.
«"All performers have an expiration date.".
This experience left an indelible mark.
«"Honestly, I think I've developed post-traumatic stress disorder, which makes it really hard for me to cope with the aging process," Klinzing said.
Download The California Post app, follow us on social media, and sign up for our newsletters.
California Post News : Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn. California Post Sports: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X. Opinions California Post. California Post Newsletters : Subscribe here! California Post App : Download here! Home delivery : Subscribe here! Page Six Hollywood : Subscribe here!