I thought it would be really interesting to do this sort of countdown involving the princes, since most of the countdowns we do with the princes have to do with best looking, favorite, or something directly involving the princesses. It would be really cool if we could seperate the princes from the princesses (even though they mostly serve to be princesses' counterparts) and give them an individual spotlight, unlike the other princes. Another thing to note when reading this is some users voted for the princes being good role models for boys specifically; others chose to view them in a general view.


8.Prince Naveen
One interesting thing I took in while watching Princess and the Frog was that during the final showdown between the villain (Dr. Facilier) and the princess (Tiana), Naveen was entirely un-involved. In fact, he is the only prince in this lineup to now be somehow involved with the final climactic battle. His general inactivity in the plot of the story seems to be a consensus most users agree makes him an unworthy role model. General traits people pointed out about Naveen were that he was lazy, selfish, spoiled, and a womanizer, all things no one should aspire to be. While people said he's admirable for changing his playboy ways, there are other princes who change as well, and much more significantly.

"Being a womanizer is not a good role model because it just hurts the other girls; he's lazy although he works later at the end. I think, however that sacrificing himself for Tiana to get her dream is a good thing and although it makes up for his mistakes, it was very stupid of him to make a deal with Facilier." (CodyVenusTrent)

"For me Naveen is the worst role model. He's lazy, irresponsible, immature, and his only goal in life is to have fun. He despises hard work and he has no actual goals. Also the whole womanizer business is definitely not something which should be modeled after. Overall he makes terrible decisions and he's not smart." (BelleAnastasia)


7. Flynn Rider
Fanpop's most popular prince was certainly not a fan favorite for best role model. Obviously his desirable traits are not what makes him so popular. During this second poll, Flynn was compared to Aladdin a lot. He was scolded for his stealing; especially for the selfish motives for doing soon. Another very common factor that was common for all the princes that knocked them down was lying, and Flynn is no exception. He's in the same boat as Naveen; Users felt that his changing did not make up for his actions before he did so.

"Flynn because he wanted money and the castle, aladdin only stole because he was hungry like in the song one jump ahead "gotta eat to live gotta steal to eat" he obviously didn't want to steal but he was starving, then aladdin gave his bread to the other homeless kids so it at least cared :)" (cheergirly2)

"Flynn, he steals just for the money, and we don't even know that Aladdin didn't try to find a job, Flynn would do anything for the money, he's kinda a playboy, true Aladdin lied a lot of times during the movie, and he apologized 6 times, Aladdin didn't wanna be himself in front of Jasmine, Flynn didn't have his real name in front of everybody, even though these reasons make Aladdin a worse role model than Flynn yes, but i pick Flynn because Aladdin shows good role model more than Flynn, he helps the poor even if he was in need, he faced the rich men who tries to harm anyone, and he feels guilty right away after he make a mistake, he makes them yeah, but not like he just ignore them." (CuteDiana)


6.Aladdin
Aladdin was condemned to the same reasoning as Flynn, but his saving grace was that he soley was stealing to live, not to also acquire a dream of living alone with lots of money. However, he was not forgiven for his continuous lying to Jasmine and the fact that he never seemed to learn his lesson about lying in the end, especially when referring to the sequels. Some users pointed out that he, unlike the previous two, noted that he was at fault for numerous occurrences and attempted to fix them rather than leave it to someone else. People also admired Aladdin for being generous.

"For one, he steals, and never bothers to get a job. Then, figures the genie magic will get him out of all his problems and figures on living off of Jasmine's wealth after he succeeds in wooing her. BUT he has to lie his way to the top first and then even after the lies are revealed he still never apologizes. I mean, that just shouts bad role model." boolander25

"I understand why people think Aladdin is a bad role model but at least he's done some good things, which is more than can be said for Flynn really.." (Mongoose09)


5.The Beast
While he may be the worst behaved of all the princes in the beginning of the film, people were more understanding and forgiving of his actions than the others. He never lied or stole from anyone for his own benefit. While he was selfish and rude, he had good reason for it. They also appreciated his change and the wonderful things he did for Belle after his demeanor had improved. However; this did not save him from being voted out. People felt the way he dealt with the curse was poor; that he could have tried harder and treated Belle with much more compassion with understanding, and that locking someone up with the intent to imprison them for the rest of their life was not something to be overlooked.

"He's a good role model for changing and becoming a nicer person, which makes him unique among the princes, and he shows that anyone can find true love. But most people who watch Beauty and the Beast are kids who aren't heartless like he is at the start, so the other princes are better role models. They're good people from the beginning." milky-way

" I don't agree with those who vote for the Beast. I think kids who watch the movie see that Beast behaving badly is portrayed in a really bad light, (instead of a humorous fashion like the previous 3 voted out) so they know it's terrible to do that. You have to look at the way it's portrayed. And his transformation is what's shown in a really good light, so I really don't agree." (princesslullaby)


4.Prince Phillip
The line was drawn here for the princes who could be considered overall bad role models to the princes who were overall good role models. Many people who voted for Phillip stated they only did so because the other 3 were just more proactive or did something of more meaning. While it was certainly praiseworthy of him to fight to save Aurora from the spell, others said it wasn't very memorable, and he didn't do it on his own; without the fairies, he would have been at a loss. Phillip's willingness to marry a peasent instead of the princess he'd been betrothed to all his life certainly is rebellious, but in a good way, and is something that could change the views of his kingdom. However, the way he approached Aurora was deemed as a semi-stalkerish method that should not be repeated in real life.

"I just, don't see him as a fantastic role model. I don't remember him doing anything memorable, and IMO for someone to be a good role model, they have to do something that will stick with you. Most of the things I do remember about him were kind of the bad ones, like him stalking Aurora, not listening to his father and also letting his anger at maleficent get the better of him, which could've led to his own demise, if not for the magic of fairies. Don't get me wrong, he does have his good qualities, like being faithful and sticking with his heart, but I just don't see him as great." (boolander25)

"Honestly, Phillip is...okay. He teaches young boys to be courageous and to not back away when something appears impossible; a cloud has a silver lining kind of deal. He is also proactive for a classic prince, willing to break away from an arranged marriage and marry a girl he loves." (ppgbelle4)


3.Prince Eric
Another placement that was pretty disputed by the users, Eric finds himself in a tough position. On the one hand, he's admired for saving his dog, saving Ariel, and refusing to just marry any princess that comes along. He's faithful to his beliefs and all his actions work out for the best. However, many people pointed out that in real life his obsession with the girl who saved him is off-putting. As Dumbledore said "It does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live." While it may have worked for him in the movie, in real life to have a romantic obsession with someone who rescued you that you likely will never see again is a waste, and somewhat unhealthy. Most people agreed that his good points did outweigh the bad by far.

"I say Eric because while he is brave and follows his heart, I just think that he throws too much to the wind when he goes off to save Ariel and keeps his mind set on one person for potentially the rest of his life, and while that might work in movies, it could drive someone off the edge in the real world." (boolander25)

"Simply because the other two show and do more. Eric is not bad role model by any means" (cromulanfav)


2.John Smith
Considered by most worthy of the top 2 spot, he was actually closer to being 3rd than being 1st. John approaches Pocahontas and is gentle with her (although her looks did have something to do with it), and compared to the rest of his crew is much kinder at heart. He sacrifices his life three times for other people, proving to be very selfless. The fact that he was unprejudiced against Pocahontas despite his upbringing is something to be said of his character and inner nature. People also admired how he tried to stop a war between the two races, stuck up for Pocahontas even when he was outnumbered, and gave up a lot of things for love. However, it may have been his violent past that kept him from reaching number one, or the sheer fact that our first place winner just was in general considered a better role model.

" I love John Smith, I think he is a good role model, but better then Phillip? No. John Smith has moments when I find to be a "bad" role model. The other I think are good role models through out the whole movie. Smith is prejudiced against "savages" (though his "opinion" change through out the movie)." (JonnaSe)


8.Shang
Normally I would let the comments speak for themselves for first place. but since he is my favorite prince I would like to put my input in. Of course I'll reiterate all this in my response article, with some extra, interesting comments. Shang is a great role model for a slew of reasons, and honestly I don't see one thing he did wrong. People admired him for being one of the few princes to not serve as merely an accessory to the princess. He's also the only one to have a real job. He works hard, is dedicated, and never gives up despite the obstacles in his path, including the very emotional and tragic death of his father. It does not faze him, and he works towards saving his country, an extremely selfless act. When Mulan's identity is revealed, a duty to his trust and owing her to live stops him from killing her, but also her reasoning for joining the war as well. He continues to protect her during Shan-Yu's attack on the temple, despite having an inadequate weapon and being alone. His actions are what put him at the number one spot, though he did not have every single user's vote.

"Shang never gives up despite the trials and tribulations thrown at him. He always works hard with his duties and leads his men forward, even after his father died. When he was knocked down by Shan Yu and when things looked bad, he STILL kept fighting with the tiny knife that he had. He is literally a pillar of strength, not allowing a single thing to waver him, yet still has a subtle sense of humor and shows that he really does care. In short, Shang is the best role model, period. He deserves to be #1."

"I'm not saying Shang is a bad role model, he is very worthy of winning this countdown, but for me personally he isn't number 1. And I realise that he felt betrayed by Mulan's lying about being a woman, but still I don't think it was wise of him to ignore her warning about Shan-Yu being in the city. She had earned his trust as Ping after all. Yes, he was living in a time when women were ignored, but it still counts against him in my opinion."

"While I think John Smith is an excellent role model, I think Shang is great in that he doesn't just serve as a counterpart to Mulan. He actually has a job, works hard, and shows someone who is grounded and smart instead of just "wild adventuring works for me" type like John/Aladdin/Flynn, etc." (princesslullaby)

"Shang had a great work ethic, and never gave up trying even when he lost everything (well, mostly his father). He's the kind of guy someone should look up to and try to be more like. John is a good role model, but Shang is just number one." (boolander25)