As someone who grew up as an Isabella (self-diagnosed, based on degree of sobbing during each song 😅), except for school grades rather than appearance, the one piece that is missing from her is the bone-deep terror of not being perfect and not being loved. As soon as she glimpsed her own authenticity, she was ready to drop the facade immediately.

Obviously when Abuela interrupts her bonding moment with Mirabelle, Isabella backs away chastened and guilty - but in my experience that moment of terror could have been much more potent.

And, for the sake of the Mirabelles in the audience, I think that moment could have been deeply affecting if Mirabelle had gotten even a little shred of support from her sisters. In my own family cracks, siblings have been the make-or-break for me every time. The moment still works, of course, but putting the whole situation on Mirabelle’s back with the rest of the family as spectators? Expecting her to forgive Isabella’s cruelty without Isabella reciprocating her compassion and understanding?

In my mind, the Golden Child’s redemption should come out of overcoming her fear in order to embrace solidarity with the Scapegoat.