New Animated Disney Movie Causes Uproar

New Animated Disney Movie Causes Uproar:
Though the Company Made Strides by Creating First Black Princess, Other Issues Causing Controversy

Written by: Karen Benardello


The Disney company took an historic step in 2006 when it finally decided to include an African American pricess with its other animated royals. (The company has representation from every other race, including Jasmine, Pocahontas and Snow White.)

By December, Disney will release 'The Princess and the Frog,' which is set in New Orleans and will feature the voice of actress Anika Noni Rose, who will portray Princess Tiana. Oprah Winfrey will voice Eudora, Tiana's mother.

While the company is being praised for finally including an African American pricess, Disney is receiving criticism over the fact that her prince isn't black. Princess Tiana's prince, Naveen of Maldonia who is voiced by a Brazilian actor, only sports tan skin.

The prince's skin color isn't the only thing in the movie causing uproar. Originally, people became offended that the princess was first named Maddy, who was a maid for a white family during the 1920s in New Orleans. So Disney changed Maddy to Tiana, a more African American name. The movie's location of New Orleans even caused outrage, as the city is famous for slavery and voodoo.

However, Rose doesn't seem offended. "It's great and wonderful, and bigger even is being the first American princess," the Tony Award-winner told Black Voices. "They have chosen to give the world an American princess who looks like me. I really can't think of anything else that would be more exciting," she added.