Anika Noni Rose
Anika Noni Rose | |
---|---|
Born | Bloomfield, Connecticut, U.S. | September 6, 1972
Education | Florida A&M University (BA) American Conservatory Theater (MFA) |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1998–present |
Spouse |
Jason Dirden (m. 2022) |
Anika Noni Rose (born September 6, 1972) is an American actress. She is best known for voicing Tiana, Disney's first African-American princess, in The Princess and the Frog (2009). She was named a Disney Legend in 2011.
Rose starred as Lorrell Robinson in the Academy Award-winning film Dreamgirls (2006). Her contribution to the film's soundtrack earned her a nomination for a Grammy Award.[1] She is also known for her performances in theatre, particularly for starring as Emmie Thibodeaux in the Broadway production of Caroline, or Change (2004), for which she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, and Beneatha Younger in the Broadway revival of A Raisin in the Sun (2014), for which she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.
Early life and education
[edit]Rose was born in Bloomfield, Connecticut, to Claudia and John Rose, a corporate counsel.[2] She attended Bloomfield High School, appearing in a school production during her freshman year. She earned a bachelor's degree in theatre from Florida A&M University,[3] then studied drama at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, California.
Career
[edit]Early career
[edit]Rose moved to New York without a job. After three months, she played the role of Rusty in Broadway's Footloose. She followed Footloose with numerous workshops and two musicals using pre-existing song catalogs, Eli's Comin' Off-Broadway[4] and Me and Mrs. Jones with Lou Rawls in Philadelphia. Both of the full-scale tuners[N 1] were rumored for transfers, but neither made it anywhere after their limited engagements ended. Rose's big Broadway break was getting cast as Emmie Thibodeaux in Caroline, or Change. In 2004, she was awarded the Theatre World Award, the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Featured Actress, and the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Caroline, or Change.
After her film debut, King of the Bingo Game, she played the role of Kaya in From Justin to Kelly in 2003 and performed in Temptation in 2004, followed by Surviving Christmas as a singer in the choir. In 2006, Rose starred in Dreamgirls as Lorrell Robinson with Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, and Eddie Murphy. Rose appeared in the films Just Add Water and Razor.
Rose also starred alongside Jill Scott in The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency directed by Anthony Minghella.[6]
The Princess and the Frog
[edit]Rose is best known for her role in Disney's 2009 animated feature The Princess and the Frog as the voice of the lead character Tiana, Disney's first African-American princess. Rose said at the time, "Not only is [Tiana] the first black princess, but she's also the first American princess. So, the scope and the significance is larger than people even realize."[7] Rose added that she hoped her role in the film would help affirm young brown-skinned children by seeing someone who looks like them in a Disney film. The film being released in 2009, the same year that Barack Obama and Michelle Obama entered the White House was completely coincidental, according to the creators. However, several commentators noted how the coincidence reinforced the positive portrayal of African-Americans.[8][9]
Rose hosted a hometown screening of The Princess and the Frog for children from the Charter Oak Cultural Center, a non-profit multi-cultural arts center that provides free after-school programs in Hartford, Connecticut.[10] Rose's performance in the film garnered one nomination for an NAACP Image Award and three nominations for the Black Reel Awards. She won the Black Reel Award for Best Outstanding Voice Performance.[11]
Rose was named a Disney Legend on August 19, 2011.[12] Rose said, "I always dreamed of being a voice in a Disney movie, but even in those dreams, I never once dreamed of being a princess... I feel like what an honor that this is and how the dream comes true, bigger and stronger than I had even imagined it."[13]
Tiana's Bayou Adventure
[edit]In June 2020, Disney announced that they would be reworking the ride Splash Mountain in their U.S. theme parks with characters from The Princess and the Frog due to controversy regarding its base film, Song of the South. Rose said: "It's thrilling. People are amped and ready. I think it's awesome, particularly now, to be reinvigorating her story." Disney stated that the ride would take place after the events of the film, during Carnival season.[14] Rose also added that she would love for Disney to create a Tiana's Palace Restaurant at the theme parks. "I've been looking forward to a Tiana's Palace for years... I have dreams of them partnering with [New Orleans'] Café du Monde on some real deal beignets, having some fantastic shrimp and grits and king cake during Mardi Gras season. And the occasional second line through the joint. Basically all the things I love!"[15][16][17] In June 2022, Rose mentioned that she was involved with discussions with Disney on what they wanted the ride to be like.[18] In July 2022, Disney announced that the ride would be called Tiana's Bayou Adventure, setting and opening date of "late 2024" at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom.[19] In September 2022, it was confirmed that Rose would reprise her role as Tiana for the ride.[20] In January 2023, it was announced that Disneyland would convert its French Market Restaurant in the New Orleans Square section of the park into a Tiana's Palace restaurant.[21] Tiana's Palace opened in September 2023.[22] Tianas Bayou Adventure opened at Magic Kingdom in June 2024, and at Disneyland in November 2024.[23][24]
2010s
[edit]In 2010, Rose played the role of Yasmine in the film For Colored Girls directed by Tyler Perry and co-starring Phylicia Rashad and Janet Jackson. One critic described Rose's performance as "especially fierce".[25] From 2010 to 2013, Rose had a guest-starring role in the legal TV drama The Good Wife. She played the role of Sara Tidwell in the A&E miniseries Bag of Bones in 2011, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name.[26]
In 2012, Rose guest-starred in The Simpsons episode "Gone Abie Gone", voicing Abe Simpson's second wife, Rita LaFleur.
In 2014, Rose returned to Broadway in a revival of A Raisin in the Sun, receiving a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.[27]
Rose played the adult Kizzy in two episodes of Roots, an adaptation of the novel by Alex Haley and a remake of the 1977 miniseries. Critic Alan Sepinwall, in suggesting Emmy nominees to the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, called her "one of the best parts of the outstanding Roots ensemble".[28] She had a role in the Starz series Power[29] and the leading role in the 2017 BET drama The Quad.[30] In 2019, a star was named after Rose through the International Star Registry.[3]
2020s
[edit]During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown of 2020, Rose created a weekly series, Bedtime Stories for the Littles, where she read bedtime stories to small children to help ease their fear during the lockdown. Rose said, "I love reading to kids, and I wanted to give our little people something soft and soothing in this very jarring moment in time. I thought a bedtime story would be the perfect way. I can give my voice to the ones who know it best, without anyone leaving home."[31] She also said that she wanted to help children act silly, use their imaginations, and find a love of books that Rose said she had as a child.[32][33] As one of the stories in the series, Rose chose the Princess and the Frog book "Tiana's Growing Experiment."[34]
In 2020, Rose starred in the Netflix musical Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey playing Jessica Jangle.[35] Rose applauded the film's portrayal of black and brown professionals in an English Victorian setting.[36]
In 2021, she played an affluent, unhappy lawyer who employs a young mother fleeing an abusive relationship in the Netflix limited series Maid. In 2024 she portrayed Elena in the Lincoln Center Theatre revival of the Anton Chekov play Uncle Vanya at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre.[37]
In 2024, Rose worked in season two of SuperKitties, where she voiced Cat Burglar's country cousin Sassy.[38]
Personal life
[edit]Rose married actor Jason Dirden in October 2022. The wedding, which was officiated by Colman Domingo, took place at the Paramour Estate in Los Angeles. The couple kept their nuptials a secret before announcing they were married in Brides magazine on January 16, 2023.[39][40]
Acting credits
[edit]Film
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1999 | King of the Bingo Game | Film Noir Female | Short film |
2003 | From Justin to Kelly | Kaya | |
2004 | Temptation | Fog | |
Surviving Christmas | Choir | ||
2006 | Dreamgirls | Lorrell Maya Robinson | |
2008 | Just Add Water | R'ch'lle | |
2009 | The Princess and the Frog | Tiana (voice) | [41] |
2010 | For Colored Girls | Yasmine | |
2011 | Company | Marta | |
2012 | Skyler | Therapist | |
2013 | As Cool as I Am | Frances | |
Khumba | Lungisa (voice) | ||
Half of a Yellow Sun | Kainene | ||
2014 | Imperial Dreams | Miss Price | |
A Day Late and a Dollar Short | Paris | ||
2016 | Throne of Elves | Meyla (voice) | |
Grace for President | Narrator | Video short | |
2017 | Vixen | Kuasa (voice) | Video |
Everything, Everything | Dr. Pauline Whittier | ||
2018 | Assassination Nation | Nance | |
Ralph Breaks the Internet | Tiana (voice) | [41] | |
2020 | Body Cam | Taneesha Branz | [42] |
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey | Jessica Jangle | [43] | |
2021 | The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain | Candace Wade | [44] |
Injustice | Selina Kyle / Catwoman (voice) | [45][41] | |
2023 | Once Upon a Studio | Tiana (voice) | Short film[41] |
Outlaw Johnny Black | Jessie Lee | [46] | |
2024 | Mufasa: The Lion King | Afia (voice) | In production[47] |
Television
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | 100 Centre Street | Woman | Episode: "Domestic Abuses" |
2002 | Third Watch | Monay | Episode: "Thicker Than Water" |
2003 | Hack | Episode: "Hidden Agenda" | |
2007 | The Starter Wife | Lavender | Main cast |
2008–09 | The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency | Grace Makutsi | Main cast |
2010–13 | The Good Wife | Wendy Scott-Carr | Recurring role (season 2–3), guest (season 4) |
2011 | LA Phil Live | Juliet | Episode: "Dudamel Conducts Tchaikovsky" |
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Miriam Deng | Episode: "Scorched Earth" | |
Have a Little Faith | Annette | TV film | |
Bag of Bones | Sara Tidwell | Episode: "Part 1 & 2" | |
2012 | Private Practice | Corinne Bennett | Recurring role (season 5) |
Elementary | Dr. Carrie Dwyer | Episode: "Lesser Evils" | |
The Simpsons | Rita LaFleur (voice) | Episode: "Gone Abie Gone" | |
2013 | The Watsons Go to Birmingham | Wilona Sands Watson | TV film |
2014 | A Day Late and a Dollar Short | Paris Price | TV film |
Sofia the First | Princess Tiana (voice) | Episode: "Winter's Gift"[41] | |
2015 | For Justice | Natalia Chapin | TV film |
2015–16 | Bates Motel | Liz Babbitt | Recurring role (season 3–4) |
2015–16 | Vixen | Kuasa (voice) | Main role[41] |
2016 | Roots | Kizzy Waller | Episode: "Part 3 & 4" |
2016–17 | Power | LaVerne "Jukebox" Ganner | Recurring role (season 3–4) |
2017 | Voltron: Legendary Defender | Acxa (voice) | 2 episodes; role recast with Erica Luttrell |
2017–18 | The Quad | Dr. Eva Fletcher | Main cast |
2018 | American Masters | Lorraine Hansberry (voice) | Episode: "Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart" |
2018–19 | Disney Comics in Motion | Tiana (voice) | 2 episodes |
2019 | Avengers Assemble | Yemandi (voice) | Episode: "Yemandi"[41] |
Beast Mode | Marsha Blackstone | TV film | |
2020 | Magical Girl Friendship Squad: Origins | Nut (voice) | Main cast |
Little Fires Everywhere | Pauline Hawthorne | 2 episodes | |
2021 | Family Reunion | Miss Karen | Episode: "Remember Mazzi's First Love?" |
Them | Ella Mae Johnson | Recurring role | |
Maid | Regina | Main role | |
2021–22 | Amphibia | Dr. Jan (voice) | Recurring role (season 3) |
2022 | Let the Right One In | Naomi Cole | Main role |
Pantheon | Various roles | Voice; 4 episodes | |
2023 | Lego Disney Princess: The Castle Quest | Princess Tiana (voice) | TV special[41] |
Star Wars: Visions | Eureka, Livy's Mother (voice) | Episode: "The Pit"[41] | |
2024 | SuperKitties | Cousin Sassy (voice) | 2 episodes |
2025 | Eyes of Wakanda | TBA (voice) | In production |
Theatre
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Venue | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1998 | Insurrection: Holding History | Katie Lynn | American Conservatory Theater | San Francisco |
Valley Song | Veronica Jonkers | Berkeley Repertory Theater | Berkeley | |
Hydriotaphia, or the Death of Dr. Browne | His Soul | Berkeley Repertory Theater | Berkeley | |
1999 | Tartuffe | Marianne | American Conservatory Theater | San Francisco |
Threepenny Opera | Polly Peachum | American Conservatory Theater | San Francisco | |
2000 | Footloose | Rusty | Richard Rodgers Theatre | Broadway debut; replacement |
2001 | Carmen Jones | Cindy Lou | York Theatre | Off-Broadway |
Eli's Comin' | The Woman | Vineyard Theatre | Off-Broadway | |
Me and Mrs. Jones | Cookie | Prince Music Theater | Philadelphia | |
2003 | Caroline, or Change | Emmie Thibodeaux | The Public Theater | Off-Broadway |
2004 | Eugene O'Neill Theatre | Broadway | ||
Ahmanson Theatre | Los Angeles | |||
2008 | Cat on a Hot Tin Roof | Maggie "The Cat" | Broadhurst Theatre | Broadway |
2011 | Company | Marta | David Geffen Hall | New York Philharmonic concert |
2013 | Hamilton | Angelica Schuyler | Vassar College | Workshop |
2014 | A Raisin in the Sun | Beneatha Younger | Ethel Barrymore Theatre | Broadway |
2018 | Carmen Jones | Carmen Jones | Classic Stage Company | Off-Broadway |
2024 | Uncle Vanya | Elena | Vivian Beaumont Theatre | Broadway |
Video games
[edit]Year | Title | Voice role |
---|---|---|
2011 | Kinect: Disneyland Adventures | Princess Tiana |
2012 | Disney Princess: My Fairytale Adventure | |
2024 | Disney Dreamlight Valley |
Awards and nominations
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Anika Noni Rose | Artist". grammy.com. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ "Rose, Anika Noni" Archived May 3, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Encyclopedia.com.
- ^ a b "Anika Noni Rose: A Shining Star in Hollywood has a Star Named after Her".
- ^ Gutman, Les."ACurtainUpReview:Eli's Comin'" Archived September 9, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Curtain Up.com, based on 5/2/01 performance, accessed September 1, 2011
- ^ "Variety slanguage dictionary, glossary "t"". February 20, 2013. Archived from the original on December 18, 2015. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ Kimberly Nordyke (June 25, 2007). "Rose lands 'Agency' role". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 30, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2007.
- ^ "Meet Anika Noni Rose: Disney's First Animated Black Princess". Archived from the original on June 26, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ "Disney Debuts African-American Princess Heroine". Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ "NPR: Talking Race in Disney's Princess & The Frog". Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ Rodman, Sarah (December 6, 2009). "Wearing the crown". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- ^ "Black Reel Awards - Past Winners & Nominees".
- ^ "Photo Flash: Lea Salonga, Anika Noni Rose, Paige O'Hara et al. Honored at D23 Expo" Archived September 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine BroadwayWorld.com, August 20, 2011
- ^ "D23: Anika Noni Rose". Archived from the original on January 25, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ "Storyline Revealed for Tiana's Bayou Adventure Coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World". Laughingplace. September 11, 2022. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
- ^ Tracy, Brianne (July 22, 2020). "What to Expect From Disney's New Princess and the Frog Ride, According to Star Anika Noni Rose". Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ "'The Princess And The Frog' Is Coming To Disney's Splash Mountain". Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ "What The Princess And The Frog Voice Actress Wants To See In Splash Mountain Redesign At Disneyland". Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ Barnes, Brooks (June 2, 2022). "Anika Noni Rose says Splash Mountain's Princess and the Frog revamp will open in 2024". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ Becker, Emma (July 1, 2022). "Disney Reveals Splash Mountain Will Be Transformed Into Tiana's Bayou Adventure by 2024". People magazine. Archived from the original on July 1, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ Leishman, Rachel (September 11, 2022). "Tiana's Bayou Adventure Concept Art Shows Stunning Splash Mountain Redesign at D23 Expo". Collider. Archived from the original on September 11, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
- ^ "Tiana's Palace to Replace The French Market at Disneyland Later This Year". Laughing Place. January 12, 2023. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ Gailey, Jackie (September 6, 2023). "Take a Virtual Tour Inside Tiana's Palace and See the New Food". wdwinfo.com. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
- ^ Chen, Eve (May 12, 2024). "Tiana's Bayou Adventure, Splash Mountain's replacement, will open at Disney World in June". usatoday.com. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
- ^ Palm, Iman (August 14, 2024). "Disneyland's Critter Country to be renamed Bayou Country". ktla.com. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
- ^ Schwarzbaum, Lisa (November 3, 2010). "For Colored Girls". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 5, 2010. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
- ^ Levine, Stuart (August 3, 2011). "Rose lands role in 'Bag of Bones'". Variety. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
- ^ 2014 Tony Award Nominations - The Complete List; A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE Leads With 10! Archived November 12, 2020, at the Wayback Machine broadwayworld.com, Retrieved May 5, 2014
- ^ Alan Sepinwall, "These shows would make great Emmy nominees" Archived June 27, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, June 14, 2016.
- ^ "Anika Noni Rose: "Half of a Yellow Sun" actress joins TV series "Power"". Pulse Nigeria. Chidumga Izuzu. December 9, 2015. Archived from the original on December 12, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
- ^ "TV Review: 'The Quad' on BET".
- ^ "Once Upon a Time: Tony Winner Anika Noni Rose Launches Bedtime Stories for the Littles!". Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ "Anika Noni Rose Wants to Help Children Find Their Love of Books Like She Had as a Child". Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ "Anika Noni Rose On Why She Decided to Start Her Weekly Bedtime Stories For the Littles!". Archived from the original on August 18, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ "Tiana's Growing Experiment, Storytime with Anika Noni Rose". Archived from the original on December 19, 2021.
- ^ "How Jingle Jangle Forged a Showstopper with Musical Number 'Make It Work Again'". Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- ^ "Jingle Jangle's Anika Noni Rose and Madalen Mills Explain their Deep Connection to the New Inspirational Christmas Film". Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- ^ "Uncle Vanya (Broadway, 2024)". April 5, 2024.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (February 27, 2024). "'SuperKitties' Returns with a 'Su-Purr Charged' S2 Next Month". Animation Magazine. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ "Anika Noni Rose and Jason Dirden's Los Angeles Wedding". Brides. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ "Anika Noni Rose and Jason Dirden reveal they tied the knot last year in first public announcement". today.com. January 17, 2023. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Anika Noni Rose (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved September 6, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
- ^ Petski, Denise (September 17, 2018). "Anika Noni Rose Joins Mary J. Blige & Nat Wolff In Body Cam". Deadline. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ "Netflix 'Jingle Jangle' Musical Adds Keegan-Michael Key, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose & Madalen Mills". April 11, 2019. Archived from the original on April 14, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
- ^ Gardner, Chris (September 28, 2020). "Film About Kenneth Chamberlain, Black Man Killed by Police, Wins Top Prize at Urbanworld Fest". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ Couch, Aaron (July 21, 2021). "DC's Injustice Sets Cast for Animated Movie (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ Leydon, Joe (September 14, 2023). "Outlaw Johnny Black Review: An Amusing Homage to Spaghetti Western and Blaxploitation Elements". Variety. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ Frank (April 29, 2024). "Disney Debuts First Teaser Trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King". The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ Jones, Kenneth (June 7, 2004). "Just the Facts: A List of the 2004 Tony Award Winners". Playbill. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ "13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ "Anika Noni Rose". Grammy Awards. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ "Legends Award Category: Voice". Disney. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ "NAACP Image Awards Winner Include 'The Help,' Stars Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis". The Hollywood Reporter. February 17, 2012. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
- ^ "Tony Awards 2014 Winners: The Complete List". The Hollywood Reporter. June 8, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
External links
[edit]- 1972 births
- 20th-century African-American women singers
- 20th-century American actresses
- 20th-century American singers
- 20th-century American women singers
- 21st-century African-American women singers
- 21st-century American actresses
- 21st-century American women singers
- African-American actresses
- American Conservatory Theater alumni
- American musical theatre actresses
- American sopranos
- American voice actresses
- Audiobook narrators
- Florida A&M University alumni
- Living people
- Obie Award recipients
- People from Bloomfield, Connecticut
- Theatre World Award winners
- Tony Award winners