Comments on: Dreamgirls star Anika Noni Rose is Disney’s The Frog Princess

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Mon, 26 May 2008 20:06:19 +0000

I love the idea of black princess! Itâ€™s about time! But with that said…

Why is this movie, which has the very real potential of becoming an engrained part of American culture, not going to be about a fairytale or historically-based princess who is native to the continent of Africa? Just as Mulan and Jasmine are non-white characters portrayed by Disney within their ethnic context, there must be a story of an actual African female worthy of becoming a cultural icon. Pocahontas was a real character in the history of America — the 1st and (until now) only Disney princess actually from America (and from a time-period before â€œAmericaâ€ existed)! The portrayal of her in the Disney movie is â€œhistorically inaccurateâ€ at best, but it made for a beautiful story that highlighted the good qualities of Native American culture, rather than glorify the â€œcowboys & indiansâ€ bitterness! Here was an Indian that little white girls (and dare I presume girls of other ethnicities) across America wanted to dress up as for Halloween! Shocking!

In order to have a black princess in the Disney line-up, is it really necessary to twist a centuries-old European fairytale around, changing the place and time frame in which it was originally told to be 1920â€™s America? Surely there are beautiful & heroic tales from Africa that would befit a Disneyesque retelling, giving us a princess that African-American and children of all ethnic backgrounds can hold up as an icon of African culture!

By: John

John — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:41:25 +0000

I think this is a great idea,however, I think they need to up the anti on her style. Like make her a really elaborate dress and make her really,really sweet so little girls can look up to her and say thats what I want to be! thank you disney, finally!

By: Helen

Helen — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 07:23:36 +0000

just be the phemoninal and the devine women that we know you can be, and you can get throught this. God is good all the time

By: JamaicaSpice

JamaicaSpice — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:03:05 +0000

And it is about time! I’m tired of going into Toys R Us, and unable to purchase items for my daughter because there is no representation for her!
I guess we should count ouselves fortunate, as we know that this place was built on racism, and racism still prevails.
Thanks Disney… for the drop in the bucket!

By: Janelle

Janelle — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 04:05:44 +0000

Although I wish that Disney would have had an it first animated African-American Princess fifteen or twenty years ago, I still think that it is wonderful that Disney finally did it.

When I was a kid I always image that the first African or African American Disney Princess would have been an Egypt Princess, but who knew!

I am so proud of Ms. Ross!

By: Barbara

Barbara — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 23:51:22 +0000

I like the idea of a black princess, but to make it more realistic, I think the character Maddy should be made to look like Anika. The braided hair style that Anika is wearing is perfect for an african Princess. I would like to also comment on the name Maddy, I think the perfect name for a disney african princess is Ebony…

By: Nikki

Nikki — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 22:34:06 +0000

Oh, thank u so much Disney for finally having a black princess after all these years. I guess you got bored making Cars and Fish talk so you ran out of ideas and decided” ok lets make black princess now.” Thank you so much for seeing that a black girl can be a princess too…

By: Ollie Legaspi

Ollie Legaspi — Mon, 07 May 2007 11:25:26 +0000

Hey! Hearing that Disney is finally going back to traditional animation is good news, but having a black princess is even betterif not the best. I’m not black, but i’m really am wondiring why isn’t there a princess that is black. Now, finally DISNEY did it good!!! Am excited to see the film…

By: Hoshino Ai

Hoshino Ai — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 23:41:15 +0000

There’s no way I could pass this without saying something. I think this is an absolutely brilliant idea….not only to have Anika as the Frog Princess, but for Disney to finally step into the 21st century and bring in more ethnicity to their Princess line. Now all little girls all over the world can have someone to connect with, to identify with, and strive to be strong and beautiful like, not just White girls. Disney, I applaud you in finally admiting that every little girl is a princess in her own right, and that heroines don’t just come with blonde hair and blue eyes. I believe Anike will do an amazing job here, and I do wish her all the best of luck. Now Black little girls can be proud to be descendent of a continent that according to history was one of the first to bring about the concept of kings, queens, princes, and princesses. Thank you Disney. ^_~v

By: thetruth

thetruth — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 11:00:59 +0000

go felecia! you are right on point.

By: Felicia

Felicia — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 02:36:10 +0000

Hudson didn’t pass, hudson audition and didn’t get it. Remember this is a “speaking” role and jennifer is not an articulate speaker. Go Anika.

Plus, a princess has to have a beautiful and pleasant singing voice. jennifer has this big diva demanding voice far from “princess” like.