Lady and the Tramp's Controversial 'Siamese Cat Song' Is Being Reinvented for New Movie

Among many of the recently announced TV series and films to debut on Disney’s upcoming streaming service Disney+ is a live-action version of Lady and the Tramp, the classic 1955 animated love story between two dogs. While details behind the new film are still just coming out, it does appear they’re planning on fixing a few wrongs from the original movie—namely “The Siamese Cat Song.”

The unnerving song, which is featured during the scene where two cats, Si and Am, are taunting the sweet Cocker Spaniel Lady, has been called out numerous times over the years for presenting a racist depiction of Asian culture. So it’s fortunate to hear the news that the Disney+ adaptation will be replacing this cringe-worthy tune.

According to Variety, not only will “The Siamese Cat Song” be omitted, but Grammy winner Janelle Monáe will be providing original music for the film, along with lending her voice for the role of Peg, one of the dogs in the pound, per IMDb. Monáe and her musical collective Wondaland are reported to be “reinventing” the offensive song for the film’s soundtrack. The pair of characters will not even be Siamese cats at all.

Monáe is also set to perform two original songs for the film, which will star Tessa Thompson and Justin Theroux.

Lady and the Tramp is set to release on November 12, 2019, the day Disney+ debuts.