| Tiana | |
|---|---|
Princess Tiana |
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| Created by | John Musker Ron Clements |
| Voiced by | Anika Noni Rose Elizabeth M. Dampier (young) |
| Information | |
| Gender | Female |
| Family | James (father)(Deceased) Eudora (mother) |
| Spouse(s) | Prince Naveen |
Tiana is the main protagonist of Disney's 2009 film The Princess and the Frog which is loosely based on the 2002 novel The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker.[1] At the start of the movie she is a waitress and aspiring restaurateur[2] living in the French Quarter of New Orleans during the Jazz Age. She is voiced by Anika Noni Rose[3] and is the ninth princess in the Disney Princess franchise.[4]
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Tiana is the first African American princess in the Disney Princess franchise and the second American after Pocahontas. Disney spokeswoman Heidi Trotta stated "Tiana will be a heroine in the great tradition of Disney’s rich animated fairy tale legacy, and all other characters and aspects of the story will be treated with the greatest respect and sensitivity."
It was reported that a group of different great women wanted the role of Tiana. In February 2007 it was reported that Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose were top contenders for the voice of Tiana, and that Alicia Keys directly contacted Disney's studio chief Dick Cook, telling him that she wanted the role very much. It was later revealed that Tyra Banks was considered for the role as well. On April 19, 2007, it was confirmed that Anika Noni Rose would be voicing the outgoing Princess Tiana.
The film follows a waitress and aspiring restaurant owner Tiana as she tries to fulfill her late father's dream. In the opening scene, we see our heroine as a 5-year old child in 1912, sharing the dinner she has made with her friends and family. Her father reminds her to never forget what is truly important, however. As Tiana grows, we see her working two jobs to save up enough money for her restaurant. The opportunity to finally secure it comes when her best friend, Charlotte LaBouff, pays her to make dessert for a masquerade ball honoring the arrival of Prince Naveen of Maldonia. Despite her mother's worries, Tiana remains single minded in opening "Tiana's Place."
Her dreams come to a halt, however, when the realtors who sold her the building meet her at the party and tell her that she has been outbid. To add insult to injury, they accidentally ruin her costume. Charlotte kindly loans her a new dress and tiara but leaves her by herself as she rejoins the party. In her despair, Tiana tries wishing on the Evening Star and immediately finds a frog sitting next to her. After sarcastically asking if he wants a kiss, the frog reveals himself to be the real Prince Naveen, transformed by a spell from the evil voodoo master, Dr. Facilier. Naveen mistakes Tiana for a princess and believes she can save him by kissing him, promising that he can reward her. Tiana reluctantly agrees, only to transform into a frog herself once they kiss. The two fight and inadvertently cause a ruckus at the party and are whisked to the bayou. Just before going there, they hear Stella the hound dog who chases them say Tiana's name.
While on the run from hungry gators, Tiana strikes a deal with Naveen, demanding that once he marries Charlotte, he will use the money he gets from her to help Tiana buy the restaurant. Things change, however, on their journey to end the spell. They both meet a jazz-playing alligator named Louis and a Cajun firefly named Ray, who help them reach the voodoo priestess Mama Odie. Tiana and Naveen help each other escape from frog hunters and Tiana teaches Naveen to help her cook. As Ray sings an ode to his true love "Evangeline", Naveen shows Tiana how to dance, something that she has never done before because she was afraid to. Both frogs find themselves falling in love with one another, but are unsure how to say it.
Eventually Tiana finds herself face to face with Facilier himself, who promises to make her dream of "Tiana's Place" a reality if she hands over a voodoo charm which plays a significant role in his plans. After reminding her of all the work she has done and the people who held her back, he shows her an image of her late father, telling her that she can make sure the dream he never lived to see come true. Seeing her family together, Tiana finally realizes what her father had meant that he never got what he wanted but he had love, what he needed. Tiana is able to smash the charm and leaves Facilier at the mercy of the angry voodoo spirits.
Tiana finds Naveen, who is promising Charlotte that he will marry her but only if she will give Tiana her restaurant. Tiana stops him and finally admits that she loves him. Moved, Charlotte says she will kiss Naveen, "no marriage required", but it is already midnight and she is too late to break the spell. Tiana and Naveen get married in the bayou. Once they kiss, they finally become human again because Tiana is now a princess. Louis "terrifies" the realtors into accepting Tiana's offer. Together, Naveen and Tiana open the restaurant, now named "Tiana's Palace" and dance under the stars. Tiana's singing voice is provided by Anika Noni Rose.
On October 26, 2009, "Tiana's Showboat Jubilee!" debuted with appearances from Tiana, Naveen, Louis, and Dr. Facilier, at the Walt Disney World Resort; and later at the Disneyland Resort. Tiana and Naveen will soon be in the "Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade". Tiana and Naveen are also doing meet and greets at Walt Disney World's Liberty Square. She will join Disney's "Once upon a Dream Parade" at Disneyland Paris in April 2010 as part of the "New Generations Festival". Tiana also joined Fantasmic! in early January 2010 during the finale with the Mark Twain Riverboat. Tiana, along with Naveen, Doctor Facilier, and Ray each make a cameo appearance in Disney's World of Color at Disney California Adventure Park.
|title= specified when using {{Cite web}}". The Bleu Mag.com. http://www.thebleumag.com/2009/02/anika_noni_rose_as_disneys_fir.html.
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