The Princess and the Frog News Stories

A musical fairy tale set in New Orleans' French Quarter during the Jazz Age and features a black heroine named Princess Tiana. Music by Randy Newman. Coming 2009.

• 'Princess' poised to reign at boxoffice - (12/11/2009)
  Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" is expected to top the box office this weekend bringing in $25 million or more through Sunday.
• Newman, Randy: Oscars old hat for Randy Newman - (12/11/2009)
  Brief interview with Academy Award-winner Randy Newman about his work on "The Princess and the Frog"
• Princess and the Frog panel, book signing at Gallery Nucleus - (12/9/2009)
  Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra California will be hosting a The Princess and The Frog event on Saturday December 19th. The event will feature panel discussion, an art demonstration, a Q-and-A session, as well as a book signing. Visit the full article for further information including the anticipated participants.
• Recipe Book Inspired by The Princess and the Frog - Contra Costa Times (12/9/2009)
  The Contra Costa Times offers a beignet recipe from "Tiana's Cookbook"
• Baylor dad directs upcoming Disney film - (12/4/2009)
  Article highlights "The Princess and the Frog" director John Musker's connection to Baylor University.
• Video Interview with Disney Animators about Princess and the Frog - (12/4/2009)
  Two Disney animators who worked on "The Princess and the Frog" stopped by FOX 2 News in the Morning and described how they actually drew the movie, by hand!
• Disneys First BlackPrincess Covers Essence - Essence (12/3/2009)
  Tony Award-winning actress Anika Noni Rose the voice of Princess Tiana appears on the cover of Essence magazine.
• New 'Toon Continues Disney Trend Toward Diversity - (12/2/2009)
  A look at the history of Disney's heroines and the recent trend of featuring females of color.
• Strong Numbers for Princess Tiana Merchandise - Sun Times (11/30/2009)
  The Sun Times reports Tiana merchandise is outselling other Disney Princess items by double-digit percentages while bedding featuring the upcoming film's characters has sold nearly triple the amount of other Disney Princess bedding.
• Disney's new Princess Tiana debuts in video games - (11/30/2009)
  Review of games for the Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii and LeapFrog's Leapster featuring Princess Tiana.
• Expect huge box office opening for 'The Princess and the Frog' - Los Angeles Times (11/23/2009)
  Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" has already brought $3.2 million in ticket presales. The Los Angeles Times blog highlights the strong sales in its upcoming limited release in LA and New York.
• Anika Noni Rose Performs 'Almost There' - (11/23/2009)
  Anika Noni Rose voice of Princess Tiana performed "Almost There" for ABC's "Good Morning America. ABC also offers video of her brief interview on the morning program.
• The Princess and the Frog Controversies - Oprah.com (11/23/2009)
  Oprah.com presents a lengthy piece exploring the controversies attached to "The Princess and the Frog" offering an interview with actress Anika Noni Rose about her role as the Princess.
• Disney�s "Dreams Come True" art exhibit in New Orleans - The Disney Echo (11/18/2009)
  Rich Koster of The Disney Echo offers an overview of the recently opened "Dreams Come True" art exhibit in New Orleans.
• Race Doesn't Matter to the Young Fans of Disney's New Princess - (11/17/2009)
  A look at young girls response to Tiana.
• Newman mines Big Easy music for 'Frog' - (11/16/2009)
  An interview with "The Princess and the Frog" composer Randy Newman.
• Disney's The Princess and the Frog Promotion - (11/13/2009)
  Visit Geico.com to view the current advertisement featuring Disney's Princess and the Frog - Naveen seeking assistance from the Geico gecko.
• Disney artwork goes on display at NOMA - (11/13/2009)
  Drawings of Tiana, Disney�s first African-American princess, are a highlight of "Dreams Come True: Art of the Classic Fairy Tales from the Walt Disney Studio," an exhibit of 600 sketches and animation stills from select films dating back more than seven decades. The show opens Sunday (Nov. 15) at the New Orleans Museum of Art in City Park.
• Disney exclusive for New Orleans - (11/13/2009)
  Interview with Lella Smith, Creative Director of the Walt Disney Animation Research Library and curator of the "Dreams Come True: Art of the Classic Fairy Tales from the Walt Disney Studio", a new exhibit that opens this weekend at the New Orleans Museum of Art.
• Princess Tiana �already sold out' - Atlanta Journal Constitution (11/11/2009)
  The Atlanta Journal Constitution highlights the popularity of Princess Tiana before her movie hits theaters.
• Black parents teach young girls the significance of Disney's first black princess - Associated Press (11/11/2009)
  The Associated Press highlights the impact Disney's first black princess is already having on little princesses and their moms.
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• Tiana's Inspiration - Entertainment Weekly (11/11/2009)
  Entertainment Weekly talks briefly about Disney's upcoming film "The Princess and the Frog" and shares the story of Tiana, a tenacious waitress who dreams of owning her own restaurant, is loosely based on New Orleans' famed chef Leah Chase. According to director John Musker, "'Leah's big thing was how food brought people together.''
• Georgia Aquarium free for princesses and frogs, Nov 21 - (11/11/2009)
  In celebration of "The Princess and the Frog" on November 21st will grant free admission to girls 12 and under wearing a princess costume and boys 12 and under wearing a frog or prince costume. The offer is good for one child per paid adult and annual pass member. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m., there will be parades, games and fairytale fun.
• Ten Year Old Actress Wins Disney Role - (11/10/2009)
  10 year old Elizabeth Dampier of Madison, MS has been selected to voice young Tiana in Disney's "The Princess and the Frog"
• The Secret Side of Disneyland - (11/4/2009)
  Cinema journalists were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of Disneyland including Club 33 and the Disney Dream Suite before heading to the Animation Research Library for an interview with John Musker and Ron Clements about the upcoming film "The Princess and the Frog"
• For 'The Princess and the Frog' Disney Returns to Traditional Animation Style - Wall Street Journal (11/4/2009)
  The Wall Street Journal discusses Disney's return to hand drawn animation with "The Princess and the Frog"
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• Ne-Yo's Never Knew I Needed for Upcoming Princess Feature - (10/29/2009)
  Video of Ne-Yo's ballad for "The Princess and the Frog" that is expected to be heard over the film's end credits.
• Princess Tiana now holding court, putting on a show at Magic Kingdom - (10/26/2009)
  Princess Tiana will star in "Tiana's Showboat Jubilee!" a new 10 minute show at the Magic Kingdom.
• Zydeco artist in Disney film - (10/26/2009)
  Brief biography of Grammy winning zydeco artist Terrance Simien who portrays a beret wearing firefly in Disney's "The Princess and the Frog"
• Clements & Musker Bring 2D Back to Disney -- Again - (10/23/2009)
  During a recent roundtable Ron Clements and John Musker discussed the upcoming "Princess and the Frog" and also divulged that another traditional feature is in the works
• Disney animation artist delights students at Hoxsie Elementary School - (10/15/2009)
  Disney animator returns to hometown elementary school to share his love of animation.
• q & a with Disney's "first African American princess" - (10/13/2009)
  Interview with skater Tetona Jackson who portrays Tiana from "The Princess and the Frog" in Disney on Ice's new show "Celebrations"
• Studio's first black princess inspires line of products from Carol's Daughter - (10/1/2009)
  Black-owned business Carol's Daughter will offer a line of bath and body line products based upon Disney's "The Princess and the Frog". The line will launch this month and will be sold at Macy's, Dillard's and Carol's Daughter stores.
• Sneak Peek at Princess and the Frog Golden Book - (9/30/2009)
  The talented artist behind the upcoming "Princess and the Frog" little Golden Book offers a sneak peek on her blog.Link spotted on CartoonBrew
• Disney opens up studios to public for rare movie event - (9/17/2009)
  The Disney Studios will open their doors for a limited run of "The Princess and the Frog" from Nov 25 - Dec 13.
• Disney hopes its 2-D 'Princess and the Frog' doesn't fall flat - Los Angeles Times (9/15/2009)
  The Los Angeles Times reports the Disney studio has begun an early rollout for its first hand-drawn animated movie in years, "The Princess and the Frog".
• First 1/3 of Princess and the Frog - (9/14/2009)
  Animation historian Jerry Beck offers his thoughts on "Princess and the Frog" following Bob Iger's presentation that featured 1/3 of the film. Of particular interest is the comments following his review that features responses from the artists involved in the project.
• Waiting for my Disney princess - (8/26/2009)
  Guest columnist shares her excitement over Disney's move to diversify its princesses.
• Disney�s The Princess and the Frog Clip - Cartoon Brew (8/21/2009)
  Cartoon Brew offers a behind-the-scenes clip of "The Princess and the Frog" that discusses the villain of the film, Dr. Facilier. The piece, entitled "Conjuring the Villain," includes comments from supervising animator Bruce Smith and voice actor Keith David about their work on the character.
• Images of Disney's newest princess, Tiana - (8/7/2009)
  The Princess Tiana character from Disney's upcoming The Princess and the Frog made her first appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Tampa Thursday.
• Will showing selected scenes from "The Princess and the Frog" finally silence this film's critics? - (8/3/2009)
  Jim Hill writes about the new tack that Walt Disney Animation Studios is taking with the promotion of its new hand-drawn animated feature. Which involves screening footage from "The Princess and the Frog" at events that will be attended by African-American opinion makers.
• Princess and the Frog firefly character creates wrong kind of buzz - (7/28/2009)
  The Council for the Development of French in Louisiana, or CODOFIL has sent a letter to Disney's Iger expressing the organization's concern over the portrayal of Cajun people as exhibited by the a toothless, lovesick firefly in "The Princess and the Frog"
• Disney to Show Princess & Frog at Black Journalists Convention - (7/13/2009)
  Disney will present a sneak preview of special footage from Walt Disney Pictures' animated comedy adventure, "The Princess and the Frog," as well as a live performance by Tony Award(R) winning-actress Anika Noni Rose and unveil Princess Tiana as she will appear in the theme parks at the upcoming National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Annual Convention and Career Fair.
• Princess & Frog Featurette - (6/23/2009)
  John Lasseter, Andreas Deja, Ron Clements and John Musker discuss Disney's return to hand drawn animation in AWNtv's exclusive "The Princess and the Frog" featurette.
• Does Tiana, Disney's First Black Princess Conquer Stereotypes? - (6/1/2009)
  Disney is coming out with its first major black heroine later this year in "The Frog and the Princess," but to the dismay of Disney executives, the film is attracting chatter of an uglier nature.
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• New trailer for Princess and the Frog - (5/11/2009)
  A new trailer is currently featured on the official site for Disney's "The Princess and the Frog"
• Early Review of The Princess and the Frog - Cartoon Brew (5/7/2009)
  Cartoon Brew posts a reader's lengthy, multi-paragraphed review of a rough cut of "The Princess and the Frog" He summed it up saying, "My one sentence review would be: it�s a worthy entry in the Disney canon, but they�ve got a LOT more work to do, and not just finishing up the animation."
• New Footage from Disney�s The Princess and the Frog - (5/5/2009)
  New footage is featured in a video from "Backlot Buzz" including first look at the film's villain.
• Uproar at Disney's choice of suitor for Princess Tiana - (4/27/2009)
  The controversy continues over the ethnicity of Princess Tiana's love interest.
• Princess and the Frog Thoughts from Clean-Up Artist Marshall Toomey - D23 (4/27/2009)
  D23's "Princess and the Frog" features Marshall Toomey, a Key Clean-Up Artist on the film. Toomey has been at Walt Disney Animation Studios for about 16 years.
• Is Princess Tiana's Love Interest White? - (3/18/2009)
  Images have surfaced of Disney's first black princess and her prince leading some to complain that her love is white.
• Disney's 'Princess and the Frog' gets new release date - (3/12/2009)
  Updated information on Disney's "Princess and the Frog"
• Disney moves up Princess and the Frog release - (3/10/2009)
  Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" release date has been moved up from Christmas Day to December 11th with limited engagements announced for LA and NY on Nov 25
• actress Anika Noni Rose Emotional over Tiana Doll - (2/26/2009)
  Actress Anika Noni Rose talks about the Princess Tiana doll
• Disney exec discusses 'Princess' toy line - (2/23/2009)
  Five questions with Kathy Franklin, vp global studio franchise development at Disney Consumer Products. The Hollywood Reporter's New York bureau chief Georg Szalai talked to her at Toy Fair.
• Disney unveils 'Princess and Frog' toy line - The Hollwood Reporter (2/23/2009)
  The Hollwood Reporter offers highlights from Disney's presentation at Toy Fair of its "Princess and the Frog" merchandise.
• Princess Tiana Doll Premieres at NYC Toy Fair - USA Today (2/16/2009)
  Disney's first black princess Princess Tiana debuted at the American International Toy Fair. The USA Today article offers an image of the Mattel doll.
• New Christmas Carol, Princess and the Frog Images - (1/20/2009)
  Images from the Walt Disney Pictures' upcoming Holiday 2009 films "A Christmas Carol" and "The Princess and the Frog"
• Still image from The Princess and the Frog - (1/9/2009)
  Image from Disney's "The Princess and the Frog"
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• Randy Newman Continues Work on Songs for The Princess and the Frog - (8/7/2008)
  In an article about Dr.John's new album, his work with Randy Newman on "The Princess and the Frog" is briefly discussed as his connection to the film's setting, the citiy of New Orleans.
• The Princess and the Frog The Official Website - The Princess and the Frog (7/31/2008)
  You can learn more about Disney's The Princess and the Frog which marks "return to the warmth and grandeur of hand drawn animation." The official site features a teaser, the story, and the cast.
• Disney's 'subservient' black princess animates film critics - (7/16/2008)
  Reports that Disney has retooled "The Princess and the Frog" due to criticism that the film featured racial stereotypes.
• Randy Newman Loves New Orleans - (5/2/2008)
  Highlights from Randy Newman's recent Jazzfest performance offers tidbits of information about "The Princess and the Frog" including information about the film's opening song.
• Disney Announces Animation Slate Through 2010 - Press Release (4/27/2008)
  At a New York press conference the Walt Disney Studios unveiled a diverse slate of animated features including the Christmas 2009 release of The Princess and the Frog. A musical set in the greatest city of them all, New Orleans, The Princess and the Frog marks Disney's return to the timeless art form of traditional animation.
• Princess and the Frog Image - BlueSkyDisney (1/14/2008)
  BlueSkyDisney offers the image from Princess and the Frog available in Disney's Annual Report..
• Poppins Co and Voice of Princess Tiana Performs in Macy's Parade - Playbill (11/19/2007)
  In the Playbill round-up of Broadway musicals to be featured in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade they announce Tony winner Anika Noni Rose will perform the Michael Feinstein - Bill Schermerhorn song, "Give Me the Key to This Wonderful City," aboard the History Channel's New York Tin Toy float. Anika has been previously reported as the voice for Princess Tiana in Disney's animated musical The Princess and the Frog. They also report "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" is expected to part of the parade's lineup.
• David hops aboard 'Frog' - Hollywood Reporter (7/5/2007)
  According to the Hollywood Reporter, Keith David will voice The Princess and the Frog villain, Dr Facilier.
• Actress Rose kisses Frog for Disney - The Princess and the Frog (5/24/2007)
  Anika Noni Rose will provide the voice of Princess Tiana in Dinsey's The Princess and the Frog which is set for a holiday 2009 release.
• Disney Responds To Wikipedia Article Errors About Frog Princess - The Frog Princess (5/8/2007)
  In response to a Wikipedia entry about The Frog Princess, Disney has released a brief description of the film ‘The Princess and the Frog’ (whose previous working title was ‘The Frog Princess’).
• Anika Noni Rose Says 'Frog Princess' Isn't Done Deal Yet - (4/25/2007)
  Anika Noni Rose was not yet ready to confirm reports that she will voice the Frog Princess.
• Broadway and "Dreamgirls" Star Anika Noni Rose Cast as Disney's "Frog Princess" - The Frog Princess (4/20/2007)
  Disney's The Frog Princess will reportedly be voiced by Tony Award winner and "Dreamgirls" star Anika Noni Rose.
• Disney to Unveil First African-American Princess - Frog Princess (4/12/2007)
  Discussion of the importance of Disney's announcement that Frog Princess will feature an African-American princess.
• Disney finally does the right thing ... hopefully? - Wildcat (4/10/2007)
  The Arizona Wildcat talks about Disney's move to feature a black princess.
• Diversity Gets Animated - Associated Press (3/20/2007)
  The culturally diversity in current television animation is explored in this Associated Press article.
• Princess Maddy Repairs Disney's Racist Reputation - The Independent (3/14/2007)
  The Independent talks about Disney's decision to feature an African American princesse in The Frog Princess.
• Hand-drawn films return for Disney - Orlando Sentinel (3/9/2007)
  The Orlando Sentinel talks about Disney's The Frog Princess which will feature their first black princess and will be a return to hand-drawn animation.
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• Image of The Frog Princess from Shareholders Meeting - (3/8/2007)
  Randy Newman on piano and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band play a song from the Walt Disney Company's animated musical fairy tale called "The Frog Princess," which will be set in New Orleans and feature the Walt Disney Studio's first black princess, pictured on the screen.
• Pixar Makes FROG a Princely Project - Frog Princess (7/31/2006)
  Reports on Disney's upcoming 2-D traditionally animated feature Frog Princess.