Anika Noni Rose

**Anika Noni Rose** (born September 6, 1972) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for voicing Tiana, Disney's first African-American princess, in the 2009 animated musical fantasy film *The Princess and the Frog*.

## Background

As part of *The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II*, she and Chloe x Halle performed "Almost There" together, which aired on May 10, 2020. Halle Bailey told *People*, "I've had the chance to meet her and we got to sing [The Princess and the Frog's] song together, "Almost There" [...] with my sister [Chloe Bailey]. She was always so kind!"

Upon the news of Bailey being casted as Ariel in the 2023 live action film adaption of *The Little Mermaid*, Rose and Brandy Norwood (who is considered to be the first African-American to play Cinderella on-screen) gave public support. At *TLM*'s premiere, Rose told *Entertainment Tonight*, "She's ready; you know what I mean? I think she knows what to do, she knows who she is, she's very comfortable within herself, she has a kind spirit, and I don't think that's going to change."

Rose herself has spoken upon the importance of representation. In 2018, controversy arose because of the *Ralph Breaks the Internet* trailer, with the whitewashing, lightened hair color, and shift towards Eurocentric features of Princess Tiana. Rose addressed on Instagram on September 25, 2018:

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> I've been very quiet on this subject because it was important for me to do my due diligence before publicly addressing something as near and dear to my heart (and face) as Princess Tiana.
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> This summer new images were released where she looked very different, with lighter skin and much sharper features. I was as surprised as most of her & my fans were. Aside from my personal feelings, I noted how people felt online (and in my dms) and I was glad to see that people are still very much in love with and supportive of our Princess. My team and I immediately put in a call to the studio to talk about the visual changes, and three weeks ago I had a meeting in person with the *Wreck-It Ralph* team, my original animator Mark Henn, and others. They explained how CGI animation did different things to the characters' color tones in different light compares to hand drawn original characters, and I was able to express how important it is to the little girls (and let's face it, grown women) who felt represented by her that her skin tone stay as rich as it had been, and that her nose continue to be the little round nose that Mark so beautifully rendered in the movie; the same nose on my very own face and on many other little brown faces around the world, that we so rarely get to see represented in fantasy.
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> When we were making Princess and The Frog I'll never forget Mark asking me if there were any things I wished to see on her, and among the first things I said were a round nose, full lips, and that she be left handed. He made certain to incorporate these things as he created my likeness as a Princess then, and he sat with me in this meeting showing me the steps they were taking to bring those things back that got lost in the move from hand drawn to CGI. It was important to me to hear what Disney had to say, and to have an open dialogue about legacy and representation. They did not have to make time to give me a presentation on the process, but I'm very glad that they did.
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> I also appreciate that this far into the process Disney had enough care and respect for all who love Princess Tiana and her legacy to spend the time and money to make the adjustments necessary. In doing so, they recognize that her legacy is also their legacy; two things I'm very proud to be a part of.
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> Here I am leaving the studios after our meeting. It never gets old walking those halls and being a part of something so very special. Thank you for continuing to love and support Princess Tiana. I'm sure you know that she loves you right back.
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## Gallery

* "Almost There"
* Where Is the Buzz

## References

1. ↑ Pierre, Mekishana (May 28, 2023). "'The Little Mermaid': How Halle Bailey's Representation for Young Black Girls 'Heals' Her (Exclusive)". *Entertainment Tonight*.
2. ↑ "Entertainment Tonight (@etnow)". *Twitter*. May 8, 2023.
3. ↑ Lang, Cady (September 25, 2018). "Anika Noni Rose Discusses Disney Reanimating Princess Tiana for 'Wreck-It Ralph 2' After Backlash". *Time*.
4. ↑ "Anika Noni Rose (@anikaaroundtheworld)". *Instagram*. September 24, 2018.