Tiana

Princess Tiana is the main protagonist of Disney's 2009 hit The Princess and the Frog. The storyline centers on young Tiana, a waitress and aspiring restaurant owner living in the French Quarter of New Orleans during the Jazz Age, and a prince named Naveen who has been transformed into a frog by the evil voodoo magician Dr. Facilier. She is voiced by Anika Noni Rose and is an official Disney Princess.

Development
Tiana is the first African-American princess in the Disney Princess franchise.

Early in development, Tiana was originally called Maddy and worked as a chambermaid. However, public criticism eventually caused her character's name to be changed to Tiana and her job, a waitress. Disney spokeswoman Heidi Trotta later stated "Princess Tiana will be a heroine in the great tradition of Disney’s rich animated fairy tale legacy, and all other characters and aspects of the story will be treated with the greatest respect and sensitivity."

On February 2007, it was reported that Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose were top contenders for the voice of Tiana, and that Alicia Keys directly contacted Disney's studio chief Dick Cook, telling him that she wanted the role very much. It was later revealed that Tyra Banks was considered for the role as well. On April 19, 2007, it was confirmed that Anika Noni Rose would be voicing Princess Tiana.

Personality
She is a motivated, determined, and independent young woman. She wants to do things her way, without help from anyone. Anika Noni Rose, the voice of Tiana says: "She’s a strong woman who doesn’t need anyone to do things for her...She wants to do things for herself." She must learn that balance is important in life; to be happy, she needs both love and a career. On The Princess and the Frog bonus features, Anika Noni Rose announced that she and Tiana are left-handed.

Role in the film
The film follows waitress and aspiring restaurant owner Tiana as she tries to fulfill her late father's dream. In the opening scene, we see our heroine working two jobs just to save up enough money to secure the ideal building for her restaurant. Despite her mother's worries, Tiana remains single minded in opening "Tiana's Place." Meanwhile, Prince Naveen of Maldonia has arrived in New Orleans determined to better his financial situation. After being cut off by his parents, Naveen is forced to marry a rich girl or get a job. It soon becomes obvious that Tiana's rich best friend, Charlotte La Bouff is the perfect choice instead of getting a job. Lurking in the shadows is voodoo master, Dr. Facilier. Angry at the neglect he receives from the rich and powerful, Facilier ropes the money hungry Naveen and his emotionally abused side-kick, Lawrence into a terrible scheme that involves turning Naveen into a frog. Lawrence adopts the prince's likeness and sets out to marry Charlotte with plans to split the money with Facilier who has some shady plans of his own. Thanks to an unfortunate circumstance and one magical kiss Tiana loses the bid to her dream restaurant and is transformed into a frog. In a moment of desperation, she strikes a deal with Naveen, which demands that after he marries Charlotte, he shall buy her restaurant. Things begin to change however, as the two mismatched frogs start to fall in love during their dangerous jaunt across Louisiana's swamp lands. Accompanied by the trumpet playing alligator Louis and the Cajun firefly Ray, Tiana and Naveen travel, risking life and limb to return to their beloved New Orleans. Along the way, Tiana discovers that what you want is not important as what you need. And vice versa; so does Naveen. She and Naveen return to human form, when they marry and Tiana gets her restaurant.

Disney Parks
Tiana is a meetable character at Disney Parks. She made her debut along with Prince Naveen, Louis and Dr. Facilier. Starting August 2010, Tiana and Naveen joined other famous Disney Princesses in the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando, Florida.

Trivia

 * She is the first African American Disney Princess


 * She is left handed