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.
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How come The Prince had a perm?
I’d rather see The Prince with an Afro
or a baldy.
Yall complain too much just be glad that the princess is beautiful and that our little girls are gonna be sooo happy… im just happy that my daughter is saying that princess tiana is her favorite im Puerto Rican but my husband is black to me that makes my daughter race black as well and im just as happy as anybody else that there is a new Princess movie coming and soo extatic that shes black!!!! All i know is that she better be right on all them shirts and bags and shoes and toys next to all the other pricess!!!
No disrespect M-Elis, but it’s easy for you to say “stop-complaining” because your not a Black Man. I REFUSE to take my daughters to see this picture. My question to Disney is a simple WHY? Why can’t a Blackman be seen in an uplifting image for one of their cartoons. It’s 2009 & we’re JUST now getting our 1st Black Princess, but to insult us like this is distasteful. WHY? Why can’t we be a King & have our Princess and fairy tale ending too! Strong Black Fathers do exist & work everyday. We’re all not “Thugs”, even though your company must obviously think so. Why disrespect us with such a depiction. I’m pissed about this because I was sooo excited that we’d finally get an African Royalty animation in our image, but again, thanks! Thanks for killing that like this country have done to us for years. Anything that we are ya’ll made us! Now Deal With It!
Why black princess has to have black prince? Why can`t she have white or latinoamerican prince? Is it wrong for black girl to date white guy? Her mother and father in the film are black so young African American girls can relate to that! But in the same time they will know that it`s not wrong to have boyfriend with different skin color!!!!!
Well I’m sorry Monroe Hatcher, But I agree with Klio. Mostly because I’m an african american woman, but the majority of the guys I date are Latino or European/white. I think in this day in age, for me at least, I feel weird that it is always depicted as black woman always dating a black guy, but if it were a black guy they’d make the girl something else.
And anyways, there will always be things in life that anybody of any race will not like about the way things are depicted in the world. But in life,, it’s about how you deal with what is given to you. So try and stop complaining.
I actually think it’s a GOOD thing that the prince isn’t black, because there are too many people walking around saying that you should stick to your ‘own kind’. I am mixed myself (not African-American, but actually Nubian, and Dutch) and it is so good to see that there finally is a movie out that features a mixed couple where race is NOT the problem (such as in save the last dance, guess who’s coming to dinner etc.). But I guess some people would rather complain than see the good message this movie is depicting. Kids should learn that personality is more important than skin color. Teach your kids THAT
(Sorry for the English… I’m Frech) I was looking for a the picture and I read all your commentaries. I agree with “Klio” and I think that it doesn’t matter what color you are… the most important it’s the power of love, truth and respect… I think it’s time for us to forgot people skin colors…as Monroe Hatcher says, we are in 2009, but we have to let our mentalities evoluates (I don’t know if I can say it like that..but anyway). I’m happy to see the first black Disney princess… she’s come with the first black President… and the first other black things on this world… Yes it took time, but here we are…. The prince is white! I really like that! that’s great! Thanks Disney for the first black princess, she’s pretty, she’s smart, she’s got a great dream and I really like that.
I like what Disney has done with this film. Why are so many people obsessed with the prince being white? There is nothing wrong with the princess being black and the prince being white. There is nothing wrong with there being a mixed couple. It is NOT sexist and it is NOT racist. To complain about the prince’s race is to be a hypocrite. I just don’t understand why people arent over the whole race thing. It shouldn’t matter if the prince is black, white, or asian. Race should not matter. I think they did a beautiful job with this film. People are always going to find something to complain about. For those people out there who are opposed to this film: move past the whole racist thing. The princess is black, and she is beautiful, and i think that is wonderful, but now people are complaining because the prince isn’t black, so now they are turning it into a racist and sexist problem when there shouldnt be a problem to begin with.
Oh for christ sake. The prince is Creole, not white. This was the legacy of slavery in the south. Mixed race people exist. I am grateful that disney took the opportunity to not only showcase it’s first African-American princess, but also to put a biracial person in the spotlight as well.
So stop complaining. Just because white america doesnt want to deal with the legacy of rape and exploitation that went along with slavery in this country doesnt mean that disney should have to hold back from sending a clear message to our young people. And for all of you complaining about the depiction of cartoon characters in a movie… get a life. The Black commmunity has bigger issues to deal with. Like the severe lack of healthcare and our children at shoddy schools. Get your priorities in order.
Well if a black princess with a white prince is cool, how about the next disney film feature a white princess and a black prince? Yea right, never gonna happen.
This is SO STUPID. Controversy? WHERE? WHO? I love how the media makes up a ‘controversy’ all by themselves. well, i want to know who is complaining. Besides the Knights and Neo nazis, WHO? Lets see there names, so we can all understand this alleged controversy.
Well fact is, there is no controversy, its just disney dipping there foot in the race pool to see how far they can go before ‘white america’ cant relate to their films anymore, and their also trying to hype up their new film, and well, good job, its working. Did you all actually think Disney is doing this for the ‘black community’? hahaha, not so much. OH and if i saw our sweet prince here on the street, I would think Latino before white.