Princess Tiana Brings New Orleans Flavor To Disney
Most of us are use to seeing Disney princesses with fairly light skin, straight hair that appears to be silky (that’s quite different from yaki) and with really European aesthetics. This time around, Disney draws their first African American Princess. Aren’t we excited?
Not only is she brown with curlier hair and beautiful ethnic facial features, but she sounds like she’s been drinking tea down by the Bayou. The southern dialect is in full effect.
Two days ago in New York and Los Angeles, Princess Tiana made her debut in Disney’s The Princess and The Frog.” The film is scheduled to be in theaters throughout the U.S. on December 11, 2009.
The story takes place in New Orleans, LA and fuses the celebrations of Mardi Gras and Jazz with the colorful cultural aspects of southern living.
According to Wikipedia, the film is based on, “E.D. Baker‘s novel ‘The Frog Princess’ and the Grimm brothers’ fairy tale ‘The Frog Prince’.”
This is the first time in 70 years that Disney is bringing forth a princess of African descent. I’m sure an African American Princess will be just fine in the midst of Jasmine and Cinderella.
With Oprah being the voice of Tiana’s mother, Eudora and Tony Award winning singer and actress, Anika Nonie Rose playing Tiana, things seem a little progressive and cool. Check out the original Tiana below.
With this being Disney’s 9th princess since the 1930s, Tiana is sure to represent all the millions of princesses throughout the world who have style, spice and pizazz. Check out the trailer:
F.Y.I.: There has been backlash about the first African American Disney Princess by references to racial cartoons made by Disney in prior decades as well as some perceived “stereotypical” approaches in the film.
Man, I have the feeling that this film is going to be STINKING stinking stinking stinking. Disney never gets it right, I want to see it with a wide open mind but I just have this feeling in my gut, like i’m going to end up yelling ‘THIS IS BULLSH*T!’ and getting kicked out the theatre.
word.
I’m super excited to see the movie! My daughter’s father is from New Orleans and I can’t wait to see how this will turn out. Good or bad movie my daughter is just happy to see someone on who looks like her with a princess crown
forget the backlash.. my niece and I are gonna be seeing this movie the week of the release!
I am so excited about princess Tiana and my 3 year old daughter is equally excited. I have been buying eveything I can find with Tiana on it.
Its not about time it is way past the time we should have had a Black pricess and again, I am very excited especially for all the little girls of the world. All little girls of every color should be represented by a princess that looks like them and all races should know that princess live in all races.
tamikaishere ……… Disney never gets its right?????thats just and dum comment!!!!check yourself young 1,Disney are rulers of kids storys movies for over 100 years!!!!people should be happy about this but i guess people will always fine something to b(tch about!!!
Love the idea behind it. I think its going to be big. I’ve already been buying the Tiana accesories. The purse, backpack, clothes,etc. The bedroom set sold out in all the stores in my city.
Frankly, it i’m tired of Hannah Montana and it will give my niece someone else to focus on. As for the backlash, I’m just glad Disney made a princess my girl can relate to.Don’t really care about any drama surrounding it.