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Anika Noni Rose Calls Out Disney for Whitewashing Princess Tiana
"It was important to me to hear what Disney had to say, and to have an open dialogue about legacy and representation."
The trailer from Disney's upcoming Wreck-It Ralph sequel went viral earlier this year for all the right reasons, most notably when Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz break into The Internet and stumble into a room full of Disney Princesses.
But many fans of the 2008 hit film Princess and the Frog were quick to note that the animation of Disney's first Black princess was distinctly lighter skinned than in the movie.
\u201cSo, um...is this supposed to be Princess Tiana in Wreck it Ralph 2?\u201d— VIRGO\u2019S GROOVE\u2019S WHORE (@VIRGO\u2019S GROOVE\u2019S WHORE) 1533848600
Actress Anika Noni Rose, who originally voiced Princess Tiana, at first remained quiet on the controversy, but yesterday she broke her silence.
"I've been very quiet on this subject because it was important for me to do my due diligence before publicly addressing something as near and dear to my heart (and face)."
Rose pointed out the "lighter skin and much sharper features" on the Princess in new images, saying she "was as surprised as most of her & my fans were." She set up a meeting with the studio to discuss the importance of Tiana's dark skin and representation.
"Three weeks ago I had a meeting in person with the Wreck-It Ralph team, my original animator Mark Henn, and others. They explained how CGI animation did different things to the characters’ color tones in different light compared to hand-drawn original characters, and I was able to express how important it is to the little girls (and let’s face it, grown women) who felt represented by her that her skin tone stay as rich as it had been, and that her nose continue to be the little round nose that Mark so beautifully rendered in the movie; the same nose on my very own face and on so many other little brown faces around the world, that we so rarely get to see represented in fantasy."
Thankfully, they listened and the team is currently reworking the animation to closer resemble Princess Tiana ahead of the movie's November release date.
"It was important to me to hear what Disney had to say, and to have an open dialogue about legacy and representation," Rose noted. "They did not have to make time to give me a presentation on the process, but I’m very glad that they did. I also appreciate that this far into the process Disney had enough care and respect for all who love Princess Tiana and her legacy to spend the time and money to make the adjustments necessary."
"Thank you for continuing to love and support Princess Tiana. I'm sure you know that she loves you right back."
Read Anika Noni Rose's full statement below!
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
