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Princess and the Frog: Controversy Surrounding Disney’s First Black Princess
By Allie | March 17, 2009
Move over Snow White. Make room for Disney’s first black princess.
With America’s first African-American president in the White House, Disney is counting on an African-American princess to be a big hit in Hollywood.
But even though The Princess and the Frog isn’t released until later this year, it is already stirring up controversy.
For while Princess Tiana and many in the cartoon cast are black – the prince is not.
Which has led some critics to complain that Disney has ducked the opportunity for a fairytale ending for a black prince and princess.
While some have hailed Disney’s decision as a reflection of melting pot America, others say the company is sending out a mixed message.
Although the black princess’s love interest in the new animated musical is called Prince Naveen of Maldonia and is voiced by a Brazilian actor, he looks more white than black in photographs from the film that Disney have released.
Since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, all of Disney’s princesses have predominantly been white.
A native Indian princess was featured in Pocahontas and Jasmine in Aladdin had a Middle Eastern appearance.
source: [daily mail]
Topics: Wired Gossip, Wired Movies, Wired Videos |
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11 Responses to “Princess and the Frog: Controversy Surrounding Disney’s First Black Princess”
Comments
April 6th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
There shouldn’t be controversy over an interracial couple http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2reAJPKiiXw
April 14th, 2009 at 11:12 am
I don’t the controversy is because it’s an interracial couple, but the reason behind it. They should have a black princess and black prince. What a black prince isn’t as desirable as another ethnicity? I beg to differ.
May 11th, 2009 at 2:22 am
I dont think Disney wants to give out the message that young black girls should only be paired with black princes
June 1st, 2009 at 12:47 pm
There’s really no controversy; a black princess and a white prince. It’s an interracial couple; there is nothing wrong with that. Who really cares? I doubt it that little kids will care, and really, that’s all that matters. It’s a kid’s movie, it’s appropriate, and it’s Disney. There should be no controversy. Racism is overrated. Get over this.
June 29th, 2009 at 9:48 am
[...] * – seriously? Do we not have more important things to get in a tizzy about than an upcoming Disney flick? [...]
June 30th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I honestly think the prince looks Creole. Which was definitly normal for the times!
August 12th, 2009 at 9:30 am
I agree, i think kids will love this disney movie regardless. The princess in my New book “Imagia and the Magic Pearls” also being released in November, is a black prncess. I grew up on Disney Classics. I think it’s more important that little black girls see that they too can grow up to be a princess when they dream. And I don’t think little white girls or black girls will focus on the color of the princess or who she is married to. I’m glad Disney decided to release their movie at this time. I think we both felt it was time to have a black princess in a Classical Childrens Story.
August 13th, 2009 at 12:00 am
The Prince IS black. He is Creole. They are in New Orleans. Come on people, put two and two together.
September 9th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Well it’s a good thing the princess is not white and the prince black. Then there would really be an uproar. When this is an issue it just shows what a sad world we live in.
September 15th, 2009 at 2:52 am
I think either way this is devastating to the 2D Animation Industry. This ship has sank before it could even sail.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS A INTERRACIAL RELATIONSHIP BUT WHY NOW, WHY WHEN THERE IS A AFRICAN AMERICAN PRINCESS, YOUNG BLACK BOYS NEED TO KNOW THEY CAN BE PRINCES TOO. ITS NOT ONLY FOR ARABIAN, WHITE, INDIAN OR CHINESE AS THERE HAS BEEN BEFORE.AFTER ALL THAT WAS THE WHOLE POINT I HEAR BEHIND THE PRINCESS BEING AFRICAN AMERICAN TRYING TO BOOST THE CONFIDENCE OF YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICAN GIRLS.