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Tiana is a fictional character and the protagonist of Disney's 2009 film The Princess and the Frog. At the start of the movie she is a waitress and aspiring restaurant owner living in the French Quarter of New Orleans during the Jazz Age. She is voiced by Anika Noni Rose and is an official Disney Princess.

Development

Tiana is the first African American princess in the Disney Princess franchise and the second American after Pocahontas. Disney spokeswoman Heidi Trotta stated "Princess 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."

Voice casting

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 Princess Tiana.

Profile

Tiana is a young waitress and talented chef who dreams of owning her own restaurant like her father dreamed of doing. She is a "diamond in the rough" who will have to learn some lessons before she reaches true princess status. Director John Musker stated that Tiana will be one of the "strongest" Disney heroines yet. She is a motivated, determined, and independent young woman. She wants to do things her way, without help from anyone. Anika Noni Rose, the voice of Tiana says: "She’s a strong woman who doesn’t need anyone to do things for her...She wants to do things for herself." She must learn that balance is important in life; to be happy, she needs both love and a career. On The Princess and the Frog bonus feature, Anika Noni Rose announced that she and Tiana are left-handed.

Wardrobe

Tiana is wearing a plain dress with a white apron while working at the diner. Later she wears a long plain frock when serving food. Tiana then wears her Mardi Gras costume from the La Bouff Masquerade Ball (as pictured in the image at the top of the page). In the "Almost There" fantasy sequence and later in the illusion from Dr. Facilier, Tiana is clad in a white evening gown. She wears a green wedding gown when she is human again, and later wears her white wedding gown. She is also seen wearing a simple orange dress when she and Naveen are getting the key for the sugar mill. Finally, she is seen wearing a light green evening gown when she has her grand opening.

Appearances

The Princess and the Frog

The film follows 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 child, 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.

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--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, Naven and Tiana open the restaurant, now named "Tiana's Palace" and dance under the stars.

Disney Theme Parks

On October 26, 2009, "Tiana's Showboat Jubilee!" debuted with appearances from Tiana, Naveen, Louis, and Doctor 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 Disneyland's New Orleans Square and 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 and Doctor Facilier each make a cameo appearance in Disney's World of Color at Disney California Adventure.

References

1. "Official Princess and the Frog website". Disney.com.
2. Tucker, Neely (April 19, 2009). "A Fairy Tale Beginning: Snow White, She's Not. Among Disney's Royal Ladies, Tiana Is a Notable First". Washington Post. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
3. "Anika Noni Rose As Disney's First Black Princess". The Bleu Mag.com.
4. "Photo Coverage: Anika Noni Rose and 'Princess Tiana' Join Royal Court of Disney Princesses". broadwayworld.com.

External links

• Template:Imdb character
• Official Film Website

• Disney Princess characters
• 2009 introductions
• Fictional African-American people
• Fictional characters from New Orleans, Louisiana
• Fictional chefs
• Fictional waiting staff