November 26, 2009

BY DARLENE DONLOE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

For the first time in its animation history, Walt Disney will release a film starring a black princess.

Set in New Orleans, “The Princess and the Frog,” tells the story of Tiana, the princess who kisses a frog. The frog wants to once again become a human and goes on a journey with Tiana through Louisiana’s bayous. 

The highly anticipated musical, opening nationwide Dec. 11, is voiced by a star-studded cast that includes Tony Award-winner Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana; Terrence Howard as James, the princess’ father; Oprah Winfrey as the princess’ mother; and several others.

The releasing of the film, featuring the first black princess in Disney’s history, is not only looked upon as historic, but welcomed and long-awaited in the African American community.

In the past, Disney has rolled out princesses from various cultures including Pocahontas, who is Native American; Mulan, from China; and Jasmine, who is from the Middle East.

The scope and historic significance of Disney’s decision to feature its first black princess wasn’t lost on two of the film’s stars. Howard (TH) gave a warm and heartfelt voice to Tiana’s father, James. Rose (ANR) exudes confidence, spunk and sass in the voice of Princess Tiana.

I sat down recently with Rose and Howard to talk about being a part of not only the film, but history.

LAWT: What was it like for you the first time you saw the image of the princess?

ANR: The first time I saw her in color was at a toy fair in New York. It was the first time I was singing the song in public. I couldn’t even breathe. I just started to cry. Even thinking about it now, I’m such a wuss. It was the most amazing, awesome, I don’t even know if I have real words for it. This is something I’ve always dreamed of doing. This is like when your dreams take off and become bigger than what you had imagined.

LAWT: Can you put it in perspective what this film means to the African American community at this time?

ANR: That’s interesting. It will mean different things to different people as they sit in that theater. It will mean different things depending on what time they grew up in. For my nephew, it will be the norm. He will think nothing of it. It will be his first princess, period. For my mother, it’ll be something she’s been waiting for. For my grandmother, it’ll be something she never thought would have happened. Each person that sits in that theater will have a different journey that they’re bringing to the story and it will make the story different for them. That’s really beautiful about what’s being made. Disney is Americana. We have simply opened another chapter of Americana. Something that’s been here for a long time, but hasn’t necessarily been shared. So, in that respect, it’s just another step in the completion of what America is in this fantasy world.

LAWT: When you were a little girl, did you ever ask your mother, ‘Where are the African American leads in these cartoons?’

ANR: I don’t remember asking my mother that. I was just watching the movies and loving them. I do remember wondering if there would be a chocolate brown after seeing Snow White. I didn’t necessarily feel deprived, because as a child you don’t know. I do remember seeing Charlayne Woodard on television in a production called ‘Cindy.’ It was about Cinderella.

LAWT: The role of James, Tiana’s father, wasn’t huge in terms of screen time, but it was in terms of who and what Terrence Howard was representing. Talk about that and the importance of the role.

TH: In taking this role, it was one of the easiest roles I’ve ever done because I was talking to my own little girls. I have two daughters who are my princesses. They gave me the words of what we needed to say, but the inspiration of how to say it came from a natural inclination to teach my own children. I’m happy Disney took this step.

LAWT: Were you conscious about the importance of your role while you were actually doing it?

TH: Not in that sense, just conscious of speaking to my daughters. I put two pictures of my little girls on the podium. And, then I just talked to them. I think the genuine sincerity of that rang through.

LAWT: Did you ever think there would be a black princess? And do you think it’s important for your girls to see a black princess?

TH: There has always been a black princess whether it’s been advertised or not. My children were always aware of it and will continue to be aware of it. They were made aware because I taught them.

LAWT: This movie marks the return of hand-drawn animation for Disney.

ANR: When you look at the bayou you can see the humidity (in) the air. It’s hazy and warm and moist and thick with it. I think that’s something Disney specifically does by hand with their color palette that other people don’t do and the CGI hasn’t quite managed to get. When you’re watching a fairytale, you’re not looking for reality, you’re looking for softness and for an extension of your disbelief that takes you into your dreamland. And, that’s what hand-drawn does when I watch it.

“The Princess and the Frog” is directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, is produced by Peter Del Vecho and executive produced by John Lasseter.

“The Princess and the Frog” will open at the Disney Theater in Burbank on Nov. 25 for the Thanksgiving holiday.