Disney’s first Black princess, Tiana, is hitting theaters in December in The Princess and the Frog.  Disney provided BET.com with an exclusive image of the movie poster.

The voice of Tiana is Tony winner and Dreamgirls star Anika Noni Rose.  Other voices include Jenifer Lewis, Keith David and Oprah Winfrey as the princess’ mother.  As I’ve said before, I haven’t looked forward to a Disney film in years so be sure to check back here at BET.com for more info on the movie.

The Princess and the Frog begins exclusively at the Walt Disney Studios Theater in Burbank and Ziegfeld Theater in New York City on November 25th and arrives in theaters nationwide on December 11th.

Are you looking forward to The Princess and the Frog?

After all the controversy about the Princess’ significant other, Prince Naveen, being too light and wavy, the movie poster and trailer has finally been released for The Princess and the Frog.  This is the first Disney movie to feature an African-American princess, which stars Tony winner and Dreamgirls star Anika Noni Rose.  The animated film includes voices from Jenifer Lewis, Keith David and Oprah Winfrey as the princess’ mother.

On the movie poster, Disney has no depiction of race  and I don’t blame them.  Originally, Disney was slammed for Princess Tiana’s original name, which was Maddy — some claimed it sounded too much like “mammy,” a term widely used during slavery and Jim Crow.

Then, another controversy brewed when there were complaints that Prince Naveen resembled too much El Debarge and needed to be more chocolate.  Now, in the trailer, (I’m sure Disney is trying to avoid any more racial backlash), when Prince Naveen is shown, he looks like he got a lil’ more color. I don’t know — maybe that Louisiana sun made him a bit more butter pecan!

Either way, the storyline for this Disney flick seems interesting.  I am looking forward to seeing the movie and haven’t anticipated a Disney film in ions.  But, I’m sure after these “racial” controversies Disney is going to stick to plot lines with characters who look like Barbie!

Check out the trailer and let us know what you think!

Some folks are upset at Disney’s first Black princess not having an “obviously” African-American prince. He is racially ambiguous with El DeBarge-Cab Calloway-Rick Fox bone structure and complexion… people are demanding chocolate, not the swirl!

The Princess and the Frog will be released later this year but controversy is already stirring. Previously, some were frustrated that the name of the princess was “Maddy” and she was a chambermaid who worked for a young White woman in 1920’s New Orleans. Critics shouted racism and comparisons to slavery. The princess went from Maddy to Tiana…

Now, we have the complexion of her other half, Prince Naveen of Maldonia—he is just too damn light-skinned for people’s taste. Some are saying Naveen looks straight up White! **gasp** That doesn’t look like a White prince to me. The film is based in New Orleans so I instantly thought he was Creole. Naveen resembles the love child of Jasmine Guy and El DeBarge.  Is that a bad thing?  Don’t Black folks come in all shades?

Racism in animation…. okay. This is the complexion of a cartoon character, not even a real person. Maybe this is more commentary on our long history of light-skin versus dark-skin versus racism at Disney.

This is a cartoon character from a movie that will not grapple with racism or constructs of color – we’re dealing with the land of Disney not The Boondocks.  The Princess and the Frog will be a fluffy children’s movie where racism doesn’t exist and the prince and the princess will eventually live happily ever after… there are more gender constructs to be upset with in this movie.

I understand the strain of complexion in our community — but instead of thinking children will focus on the light-skinned prince, how about the image of a beautiful, brown Black princess? There definitely aren’t enough brown sisters in the media. For those asking why aren’t they showing “Black love”—are we really looking for Black love in a Disney movie?

I’m sure Disney is saying, “Why the hell did we do this movie? We need to stick to characters who are blonde and blue!”

Are you offended by Prince Naveen?