Disney has been on a roll with their back to back releases of live action classics that are now starring black women. In July of 2019, Disney made the official announcement that Halle Bailey, singer and actress most formally known from her role as Sky Forester from “Grownish”, would be playing the role of Ariel in the live action version of “The Little Mermaid”. This would make her the second black woman to play the role of a disney princess after Anika Noni Rose, who starred in Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog”. As of late, an ongoing discussion about who should be given the opportunity to succeed Anika as Princess Tiana in the live action version of the film has taken the internet by a storm. 

“The Princess and the Frog” takes place in the 1920s and follows the journey of Tiana, eager and determined to one day own her very own restaurant. Early on in the story, Tiana meets Prince-turned-frog Prince Naveen of Maldonia. In an attempt to release Prince Naveen from his curse, Tiana kisses the frog only to be turned into one herself. This leads her and Prince Naveen on a desperate path to try and turn back into human before it is much too late. 

When it was announced that there was a live-action adaptation of the film in the works, the names of actresses and female artists who could possibly play the role of Tiana created a buzz. The names of actresses Coco Jones, Keke Palmer, Skai Jackson, Yara Shahidi, and Ryan Destiny were most often mentioned. Coco Jones, most well known for her role as Roxie in Disney’s “Let It Shine”, seems to be the most popular pick among fans. Ms.Precious Hicks-Mitchell, South Gwinnett’s theater instructor, says “She’s up and coming and she’s making a name for herself again, she’s just that girl”. Similarly to Coco, actresses Skai Jackson, Keke Palmer, and Yara Shahidi are also associated with Disney already. Many of us can remember Skai Jackson in her iconic role as Zuri Ross in Disney’s “Jessie” and Keke Palmer as Mary Thomas in the movie “Jump In!”. More recently, Yara Shahidi has gotten the opportunity to play Tinkerbell in the new live action “Peter Pan and Wendy” film that will be released April 28th, 2023.  Popular artists Normani and Ari Lennox (who uploaded her take of “Almost There” from The Princess and the Frog) have also been mentioned as possible candidates for the role of Tiana. 

Everyday, we get closer and closer to an eventual answer to the big question: Princess Tiana WHO? Until then, fans can only continue to speculate and hope. Comets, voice your opinion and scan the QR code below. Let VOS know who YOU think should portray the live-action version of Princess Tiana!