Oprah Cast In Long-Awaited “Princess And The Frog”
PerezHilton.com is reporting that Oprah Winfrey will lend her voice to the animated Disney film, “The Princess and the Frog.“ The movie will be Disney’s first animated film featuring an African American princess. It’s about time!!!! The story, which is set in New Orleans’ Jazz-era of the 1920’s, will feature Anika Noni Rose (of Broadway and “Dreamgirls”), as the lead female character. Oprah will voice the character of Eudora, the mother of Anika’s character, Tiana. Other big names voicing characters in the movie include John Goodman (of “Roseanne” fame) and Jennifer Lewis (“What’s Love Got to Do With It”). 
The movie is an updated version of the traditional fairy tale, The Frog Princess, though plot details have been closely guarded by the Disney studio. Early controversy erupted around the film when it was initially announced that the lead character would be named Maddy, which angered some activists who felt the name was “lower class” and too stereotypical. Others were angered when it was also announced that the character would be a “chambermaid.” Disney has since made changes to both the lead character’s name and occupation.
Several prominent African American actresses vied for the highly coveted role, including Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson and even Tyra Banks, but Tony Award winning actress Anika Noni Rose finally won the hearts of Disney execs and landed the role.
Disney has featured other princesses of various ethnicities, including Princess Jasmine of “Aladdin,” the first non-White princess to be featured in a Disney film. Disney soon followed suit with heroine characters “Pocahantas” and “Mulan,” but never featured a Black princess (or even major Black characters) in any of its animated films, though many African American actors have voiced animal characters in Disney films, including Eddie Murphy and Whoopi Goldberg.
The film is set for release in 2009 and we absolutely CAN’T WAIT to see it! Please don’t disappoint, Disney! We’ve been waiting on this for a LONG, LONG time!
FWO- ForWomenOnline.com!
