Hero & Heroine:

To say Tiana is not your typical Disney Princess heroine is not a critique but a mutual understanding that there has never been an African-American Disney princess. But the most unique aspect of Tiana is how easily relatable she is to audiences. Young Tiana is a curious and spunky little girl that is told by James, Terence Howard, her father and positive role model that “you can do anything you set your mind to. And the dream that Tiana most admires is her dad’s dream of owning his own restaurant to serve his crowd pleasing Gumbo. Tiana holds onto dearly of a scrap of paper that has a picture of her daddy’s future New Orleans restaurant. The film shifts to when Tiana is now a young woman who is working back to back jobs as a waitress to save up enough money to open her own restaurant. Her father has passed away in World War I and that did not deter her from fulfilling his dream. Tiana is on a mission and will not be deterred.

Tiana is a different type of Disney Princess because she is really not waiting around for a “Prince Charming” or “Mr. Right” to sweep her off her feet to make all her dreams come true. She is in fact more independent and is not really looking for love. Tiana even is willing to sacrifice hanging out with her peers, so she can work more overtime shifts. But I will say that I do see similarities with Cinderella and Tiana because they both have to do a lot of hard work to please others. Tiana is actually more happy making money selling her beignets at Charlotte’s party for Prince Naveen, than wishing she could meet Naveen for herself. And on a lighter note Anika Noni Rose made sure that “Tiana had some booty” as director/writer Ron Clements said at a NACCP preview screening. And Tiana looks like an animated version of the real life beautiful and naturally curvy Anika.

Prince Naveen from Maldonia is also a different type of typical heroic Disney Prince because he is such a carefree, flirtatious and energetic character. He is also unique in that he is essentially broke because of his bad relationship with his estranged parents. Prince Naveen is over in New Orleans for his intense love of jazz. But that decision may have also cost him his princely inheritance. So Naveen really is looking for a rich “Ms. Right” to take care of him. Naveen has a hustler and dashing streak that makes him more like Aladdin. Rarely, if ever, has Disney had a prince character that is more unsure and accepting of his non-royal status. New Orleans also represents the New World mentality of people coming to America and reinventing themselves. Prince Naveen has no problems marrying Charlotte and continuing his rich, impulsive lifestyle. And little is made of Prince being colored because his royalty outdoes his race. Brazilian born actor Bruno Campos, who is a co-star on USA’s hit Royal Pains, does a consistent job of giving Prince Naveen–an optimistic, upbeat and playful attitude throughout the film.