Parents share why representation matters after son's reaction to 'Encanto' character

News 12 spoke with the parents of the toddler as they reflect on the moment their son saw a version of himself through a movie character.

News 12 Staff

Jan 11, 2022, 12:29 PM

Updated 1,005 days ago

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A viral video featuring a 2-year-old has taken the internet by storm teaching the important lesson of representation. News 12 spoke with the parents of the toddler as they reflect on the moment their son saw a version of himself through a movie character.
Two-year-old Kenzo has a smile that lights up any room he walks in to. Mom and dad Keith and Kaheisha captured th​e moment their son ​thought he saw his reflection in the Disney movie "Encanto."
Kenzo's parents posted the image on social media with the hashtag #representationmatters resonating with thousands upon thousands online.
While little Kenzo may not have the verbiage just yet, by his body language, expression and facial expressions, he sensed the resemblance between the movie character Antonio and himself.
Last November, music maker behind the animation Lin-Manuel Miranda told News 12 families that he would like to see more examples of representation on the big screen.
For Keith and Kaheisha, they're just happy little Kenzo can just enjoy the moment. Kaheisha reflected on when she saw the impossible on screen as Grammy-winning Brandy became Disney's first Black princess in the 1997 groundbreaking Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella."
While the clock can't be turned back, these parents are happy ​that Kenzo and the generations to come will be able to watch the big screen and be reminded of the recurring message that representation matters.