After cutting her thespian teeth on the New York Broadway circuit as a theatrically trained drama school actor, Anika Noni Rose’s transition to the bigscreen has been somewhat unsurprisingly seamless. Following her breakthrough performance as soul songstress Lorrell Robinson in 2006’s Dreamgirls, Noni Rose has drawn praise in a number of onscreen roles, including her poignant portrayal of Grace Mukutsi in Anthony Minghella’s production of No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. It is this radiance of pure star quality and burgeoning talent that saw Noni Rose land her latest role, as the voice of the headstrong young entrepenuer Pricess Tiana, in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. To coincide with the film’s UK release, LWLies sat down with Noni Rose to discuss dusting off the tiara and the process of becomming one of the most significant incarnations in Disney’s illustrious history.
LWLies: Being a Disney princess: is it a dream come true for you?
Noni Rose: Disney has been a part of my life for my whole life. For me it represents the wonder of Americana and as a little girl, as with any little girl, it became part of my dreams very early on. I’ve wanted to be a Disney voice my entire life, but I didn’t have my eye set on a princess. I always loved Evinrude in The Rescuers, so I would have been happy just doing something fun and wacky like that. I wasn’t even thinking along the lines of a princess, but then this came along and I couldn’t say no.
Voice acting is something you have never done before. How much did you have to prepare for this role?
Well I didn’t take any lessons, I’ve been acting for a very long time and really this was no different in that respect. But I approached this the same way I do with everything: I called people and listened to the voices and the sound of New Orleans, and of course I read about it and visited the city. Then I just jumped in.
Was it reassuring working with such an established Disney team?
It’s a really wonderful thing working with John and Ron because they are so open to whatever you can bring to the role and they always listen to what you have to say. At some point the character starts to become her own self beyond what was written in the plan. The story really grew a lot as we were working on it and things would change all the time and you had to keep up with that and be willing to try new things. You really feel like a part of the creative process from the very beginning.
And were you involved in the process after you had recorded all your parts?
Well John and Ron had been working on it for some years before, but as soon as I signed on in late 2007 I was involved all the way. It was about two-and-a-half-years of going back and doing a little bit here and another session there. The technology has moved on so much though you can really record anywhere. We are so interconnected it makes the process a lot easier.
It must be difficult having to capture a character’s voice in different locations and at different times…
That’s true because you have to recreate the mood of the character and that can be hard when you’re in a totally different location from a week or so before. The character might be serving tables and rushed off her feet, but you won’t be and you have to be able to recreate that energy.
How important does you see Tiana as a role model, being that she is Disney’s first African-American lead?
I don’t think it necessarily needs to be made a big deal of. I think it speaks for itself. It doesn’t change the movie; it doesn’t make it a movie solely for black people. It’s an American movie and Tiana is a great role model. She doesn’t look for completion in a prince; she is a pretty solid young woman who is driven by her dreams. She has such a set mind, and I think time has allowed us to see more of this from young woman because of the different expectations around now. I’m glad to be a part of something that really brings families together.
Have you had a chance to experience the film in a family environment yet?
Yes, actually I’ve been to the movie theatre a few times back home. I can go to the movies and just have my baseball cap on, it’s great. Having young boys and girls come up to me with their eyes just wide open, so enthusiastic and happy, wanting to talk about Tiana and the film; that is a truly amazing thing.
Is working with Disney something you would like to do again?
I would love to do more work with Disney and this crew, it’s so exciting and actually as an actor it’s like taking a masterclass. Anytime I work it has to be the right team to make me comfortable and to want to keep coming in in the morning, but this was very special.
Are there any specific characters you would like to play?
I don’t know… I’d be happy just being a doorknob.
