Until recently, Jasmine was my favorite Princess. She has a tiger, marries an amazing guy, and is the only princess that gets to wear pants. But one of the latest Disney films, Princess and the Frog, made me realize that Tiana is awesome.
She is a black woman in the 1920’s who owns a restaurant
The odds of this are extremely unlikely. Being an entrepreneur is hard enough today, let alone if you were alive in the 1920’s. Sure it was the roaring twenties, but times were hard; a war just happened, racism was severe, and in the South, many blacks were servants or farmers. For Tiana to be a restaurant owner and a woman is one thing — but to be black is another. I imagine, that if this story was not animated and focused more on her getting her restaurant, it would be very similar to the book/movie The Help, set in the South in the 1960’s about the trials and tribulations of black servants. Segregation was strong, and few African-Americans could sit in some areas of restaurants, let alone own one. She is an inspiration for every little girl out there, history buff or not.
She knows that dreams require effort
In the movie, she is told that wishing on stars isn’t enough; you have to work for your dreams. She wishes, and tries, working double shifts and not hanging out with her friends in order to reach her goals. She tries her best, and though hard-work, achieves her goals.
She represents diversity for Disney
Tiana is the first and only black Princess. Out of the 13 Princesses pictured above, there is 1 Black, 1 Asian, 1 Native-American, 1 Indian and 9 White European princesses. That means that about 70% of Princesses are white. Little girls growing up need a role model, someone they can model their actions, will, and beauty after. But if there is no black princess, little girls who are African-America grow up believing they’re “beautiful” or “normal”. She is a perfect role model, and someone little girls need in their lives.
Her character is based off of a real person
Tiana is actually based off of a real-person! Her name is Leah Chase, and she helped open a restaurant in 1944 in New Orleans that is still there today, Dooky Chase. She started off working in the 1930’s in the French Quarter. Before that, she had never been in a restaurant, and blacks were not allowed in the French Quarter to eat. But she broke the mold, and was even interviewed by Disney when they decided they wanted an African-American Princess. She told them about her life, and was thrilled by how Tiana came out.
She isn’t chasing her Prince Charming
When people think of a princess, they think about a girl who is rescued by a prince. When asked to go out dancing and meet boys with friends, Tiana tells them “that’s just gonna have to wait a while. Ain’t no time for messing around”, as she has her dreams and aspirations that she wants to achieve. She wants to impress her mother, and make her father proud. She loves her job, and is a career oriented person. While in the end she does end up with a prince, she finds him by chance, and they help each other to achieve their goals.
Her songs are fun and inspirational
The songs are really fun in the show, and multiple are sung by people other than Tiana and Naveen including Never Knew I Needed, Friends on the Other Side, and Gonna Take You There. The songs are fun, catchy, and follow along with the morals of the story.
She is a loyal friend
Her friends are important to her, and Lottie and Tiana have been friends since they were little. The movie shows them in multiple locations, having fun and working hard. They both do not concentrate on what is different about them, but rather what makes them similar. They help each other though-out the movie, and are inspirational young ladies.
But she does end up with a handsome prince
Prince Naveen is a great guy, and she is not looking to settle. She helps him to be a better person, and he helps her achieve her dreams. She is a hardworking princess, and gets the best of both worlds.
Princess Tiana is my favorite princess. Now go have a Disney Day and watch The Princess and the Frog!