Who says that a princess has to wear a dress? Nickelodeon says they don't!

Nick Jr. has added a new show to their preschool lineup that showcases a female lead who is true to herself. Nella the Princess Knight, is a biracial princess who wears a gown in the palace but morphs into a beautiful knight when she's outside helping people in her Kingdom.

Nickelodeon execs wanted to create a character that wasn't stereotypical. Nella is a mix of traditional "boy" and "girl" characteristics. She wears a gown and a tiara but she also wears armor and carries a sword. She is also biracial, highlighting that love isn't just black or white. She is complex and multifaceted, like most progressive kids today.

Kudos to Nickelodeon for showing how complex the world is and for showing kids that they can be true to themselves and not fit into a box.