Since Tiana debuted in the 2009 The Princess and the Frog animated movie, starring Anika Noni Rose, little Black girls, and women have been on a lily pad, celebrating our hardworking melanin queen.
Many of us grew up with Disney. Before Tiana, the closest Black girls had gotten to a minority princess was Princess Jasmine (whom we still love!). But Tiana was the plate of beignets we never knew we needed.
“When I first heard that a ride inspired by Princess Tiana was coming out, I was absolutely thrilled,” says content creator and travel influencer Andrea Pugh-Kelley. “The announcement marked a historic moment, not just for Disney, but for major theme parks as a whole.”
She added, “The fact that this ride would be the first roller coaster showcasing a Black character, it felt like a long-overdue recognition and celebration of Black stories in entertainment.”
Pugh-Kelly was among six Black Disney lovers and influencers RoyalTee Magazine caught up with to get their reaction on the upcoming attraction, what Tiana means to them and their love for the most magical place on earth.
Jahylin McKee
“Princess Tiana is a powerful inspiration to me as a young black woman. She represents strength, perseverance, hard work, independence, and chasing your dreams no matter the obstacles. Growing up, I didn’t see many Disney characters that looked like me, so Princess Tiana was a revelation. Finally, here was a princess I could truly see myself in – a hard-working, ambitious young black woman going after her dreams. Tiana filled me with pride and showed me and so many other Black girls that we, too, could be princesses; we could dream big and make those dreams come true. Her groundbreaking representation as Disney’s first African American princess was pivotal and helped pave the way for more diversity and inclusion in Disney films. Seeing such a positive, ambitious, kind Black female character on screen inspired me as a child and continues to inspire me today to work hard and believe in myself.”
Jahylin mckee
Jahylin McKee, 29, of Newark, NJ says she has been a Disney lover for as long as she could remember. “My dad always reminded me growing up that I was a princess,” McKee says, “and I had to visit my castle every year.”
The characters and movies have been a part of her life since childhood and continue to be, so when news of the Tiana attraction was announced, the Founder and Publicist at J. McKee & Co. was overjoyed to hear it. “I’m always excited when they introduce new attractions, but this one is especially meaningful. Princess Tiana is such an inspiring character, and it’s wonderful to see her get the recognition she deserves with her very own ride. I can’t wait to experience it for myself.”
Caprice Cole
“People always get prickly when I say Tiana isn’t my favorite Princess. Tiana is more than that, she’s the essence of our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, friends, great grandmothers… she literally is family. She’s the embodiment of the Black woman’s experience. No matter the obstacles, long hours, sleepless nights, sacrifices, etc. We create our own magic and make sure our Dreams Come True.”
Caprice Cole
If there was a #blackgirlmagic image for Disney one of the images would have to be Caprice Cole. The Chicago native and influencer has been going to Walt Disney World since she was six or seven years old. Tiana going down the bayou is the next best thing to the teacups.
“Pure Black girl joy,” Cole describes the news.
Andrea Pugh-Kelley
Tiana’s character reminds me of the importance of hard work, ambition, and staying true to one’s roots, qualities that have been further emphasized through my family’s proud legacy of three generations of FAMU graduates, including Anika Noni Rose, who voiced Tiana. The opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, therefore, symbolizes more than just a new ride; it represents progress, recognition, and the celebration of Black excellence within a major cultural institution like Disney.”
Andrea Pugh-Kelley
Andrea Pugh-Kelley says her love for Disney is generational, three to be exact.
“I come from three generations of Black Disney lovers,” she says. “My grandparents started by taking their children, along with as many other kids as could fit in their car, on road trips to Disney. Originally from Michigan, we made it a tradition to visit Disney at least once a year.”
Today the 29-year-old is an annual pass holder and refers to herself as the #BlackDisneyMom on her Instagram and Tiktok, often sharing moments at the park she has with her daughter is no doubt following in her mother’s footsteps. “As a Black female Disney enthusiast, this news resonated deeply with me,” Pugh-Kelly shares about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. “It signified a profound shift towards more inclusive representation within the Disney universe. Knowing that Tiana, a character who has already brought so much inspiration to the community, would be the centerpiece of this new attraction filled me with immense pride and excitement.”
Pugh-Kelley’s love for Tiana started in 2009 when she saw an early screening of the movie at the National NAACP ACT-SO Competition.
“Her determination, resilience, and pursuit of her dreams resonated deeply with me,’ she says.
Pugh-Kelley added, “Princess Tiana inspires me in countless ways. Her character, loosely based on the legendary Leah Chase, represents a groundbreaking step in diversifying Disney’s repertoire and bringing much-needed representation to the forefront.”
Ayanna Robinson
“Tiana is so much more than just a princess. She is an ideal of what young Black girls see themselves.”
Ayanna Robinson
Ayanna Robinson may have grown-up responsibilities as a social media specialist on the 9 to 5, but she is a ‘Disney adult with pride’ as she coins it.
Before Tiana, the 26-year-old was captivated by Princess Ariel, drawn to the character’s fun Caribbean influence, which was elevated with Halle Bailey’s 2023 live action adaptation. “Having Tiana front and center gives little Black girls a chance to see themselves in the view they deserve,” says Robinson.
Ariel Walker
Princess Tiana has inspired me to believe that if I have a dream I can achieve it. I love that she worked hard for her dreams and that she had a supportive family. One of the things that I love the most about The Princess and The Frog is that Tiana is shown as worthy of love, so often we see Black characters in movies and shows who are there as set dressing. To have Tiana as the main character chasing her dream and being loved for who she is is wonderful. For little Black girls everywhere to see themselves in a Disney movie as the Princess and main character is a dream come true. Representation truly matters.
Ariel Walker
Ariel Walker went on her first Disney trip when she was in middle school and has been hooked on the magic ever since.
“Representation is wonderful and to take an attraction that pointed to some of the more negative aspects of our country’s history and have it now represent a Black Princess who achieved her dreams through hard work despite what the world around her was telling her is amazing,” says Walker, 35, referring to the attraction’s revamp of Splash Mountain. “
She added, “Even though I don’t love water rides I am ready to stand in line as long as I need to in order to support my girl Tiana.”
Meag Williams
“I love her story but never thought it would be told off screen. But it’s just a testament to the power of Black storytelling in another medium. “
Meag Williams
Trips with her dad and siblings to Walt Disney World as a kid has transpired into Meag Williams’ adulthood.
“I grew up with it and still profess my love for all things Disney at my big age,” says Williams, 32. Growing up, her favorite princesses were Ariel and Mulan, but Tiana represents someone she sees in herself.
“It’s so special to see someone who looks like me, especially in animation. I love how she follows her heart,” says Williams. ” I also love that a FAMU alum (Anika Noni Rose) voiced this character. Ultimately, I feel like nothing is impossible for me.”
No need to dig too much deeper! Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will finally be open at Walt Disney World on June 28.
