Anika Noni Rose has expressed her heartfelt reaction to the shocking cancellation of the animated series centered around Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, a project that Disney had meticulously developed over a span of five long years. Fans of the beloved character and the film franchise were understandably disheartened by this sudden decision. Rose, who lent her voice to Tiana, took to her Instagram platform to share her feelings regarding the abrupt halt to a series that many had eagerly anticipated.
In a heartfelt message on Instagram, Rose articulated her disappointment over the cancellation of what was meant to be a continuation of Tiana’s enchanting journey. She shared, “I too am deeply disappointed that the continuation of Tiana’s journey in series form has been cut short.” Rose emphasized the effort and creativity that had gone into the project, acknowledging the hard work of the talented individuals involved. She specifically mentioned Jenn Lee, the long-time champion of the series, along with writer/director Joyce Sherri, the incredible animators, and the amazing music team who all contributed to the show’s development.
Despite the cancellation, there is a glimmer of hope for fans, as a new “short-form special” inspired by the beloved movie is currently in the early stages of development. Rose encourages devoted fans to support this special and convey their wishes for more Tiana content to Disney. She stated, “As hurtful as it is for anything you’ve put your heart and soul in to be prematurely ended, my hope is that when what is now to be a ‘Tiana Special Event’ airs, that all of you beautiful, loving, loyal fans who’ve been championing not just the series, but a ‘Princess and the Frog’ sequel, tune in.” Rose urged fans to spread the word about the special, emphasizing the importance of showing support through viewership and engagement.
The Princess and the Frog marked a significant moment in Disney’s history as it represented the studio’s return to traditional animation techniques. Set against the vibrant backdrop of New Orleans, the story follows a determined young woman named Tiana and a frog prince yearning to regain his human form. Their fateful kiss leads them on a whimsical adventure through the enchanting bayous of Louisiana. Although the film initially faced challenges at the box office, ultimately grossing $271 million worldwide, it emerged as Disney’s most successful traditionally animated feature since Lilo & Stitch was released in 2002. Additionally, Disney has recently revamped the Splash Mountain attraction into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, further solidifying the character’s legacy in the Disney universe.
