In 2009, Disney released its 49th animated film titled “The Princess and the Frog.” The movie is set in New Orleans, Louisiana, during the 1920s and follows the journey of Tiana, a young woman who becomes the first African American princess in Disney history. Tiana works at a restaurant famous for its “beignet,” a type of pastry, and dreams of opening her own eatery. Below are 10 fascinating facts about this iconic Disney film:
1. Tiana’s character is inspired by chef Leah Chase, who was a prominent figure in the culinary world and even met former President Barack Obama.
2. Tiana is the only Disney princess with 11 different outfits throughout the film, while other princesses typically have about 3 or 4.
3. She is the only Disney princess with a steady job and a salary that helps support her daily life.
4. Tiana is the second Disney princess to have a biological parent, the first being Pocahontas.
5. Oprah Winfrey, the famous television host and actress, unexpectedly participated in the film’s production as the voice of the character Eudora.
6. The actress Anika Noni Rose, who voiced Tiana, is left-handed and the only princess with a beauty mark on her face. Anika insisted that the animators create a character with unique features resembling herself.
7. The character Doctor Facilier is a nod to the character played by Dick Van Dyke in the classic Disney film “Mary Poppins.”
8. Actress Jenifer Lewis, who voiced Mama Odie, drew inspiration from Yoda in “Star Wars.”
9. The film features a subtle reference to “The Lion King” with a scene depicting birds flying over a house, which closely resembles a scene from the 1994 film.
10. The prince Naveen’s character is based on various individuals who worked at Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Source: Hollywood
