Disney was met with backlash from fans regarding the tone of Princess Tiana's skin in the trailers for their upcoming animated film Ralph Breaks The Internet.
Fans supposed, with comparisons to her original-self in The Princess and the Frog, that Tiana's skin had been lightened and her facial features, particularly her nose, had been altered. Following this, it was revealed that Disney Animation Studios will be reanimating Tiana's appearance based on the complaints.
Anika Noni Rose, who voices Tiana in both her own film and the upcoming Wreck-It Ralph sequel, recently took to social media to comment on the controversy. Rose recalled first seeing this incarnation of Tiana and voicing her concerns to Disney - who respectfully complied, vowing to improve the CGI version of Tiana before the film's release.
You can view her Instagram post and read her full statement below:
This summer new images were released where she looked very different, with lighter skin and much sharper features. I was as surprises as most of her & my fans were. Aside from my personal feelings, I noted how people felt online (and in my dms) and I was glad to see that people are still very much in love with and supportive of our Princess.
They explained how CGI animation did different things to the characters' color tones in different light compared to hand drawn original characters, and I was able to express how important it is to the little girls (and let's face it, grown women) who felt represented by her that her skin tone stay as rich as it had been, and that her nose continue to be the little round nose that Mark so beautifully rendered in the movie; the same nose on my very own face and so many other little brown faces around the world, that we so rarely get to see represented in fantasy.
When we were making Princess and the Frog I'll never forget Mark asking me if there were any things I wished to see on her, and among the first things I said were a round nose, full lips, and that she be left-handed. He made certain to incorporate these things as he created my likeness as a Princess then, and he sat with me in this meeting showing me the steps they were taking to bring those things back that got lost in the move from hand drawn to CGI. It was important to me to hear what Disney had to say, and to have an open dialogue about legacy and representation on the process, but I'm very glad that they did.
I also appreciate that this far into the process Disney had enough care and respect for all who love Princess Tiana and her legacy to spend the time and money to make the adjustments necessary. In doing so, they recognize that her legacy is also their legacy; two things I'm very proud to be a part of.
What are your thoughts on the controversy? What do you think of Rose's statement? Are you looking forward to seeing Tiana and the rest of Disney's princess on-screen together in Ralph Breaks The Internet?
Ralph Breaks The Internet smashes into theatres on December 21st.