Remember the 70's TV show The Bionic Woman? I use to love that show. Watching a smart, savvy and strong woman take on the bad guys and win was awesome. I had all the toys; the doll, her blow up house (that took all Christmas Morning to inflate), her bionic station, the outfits....EVERYTHING. I wanted to be the bionic woman. Yet, I was only a little girl that hadn't experienced tough life occurrences. I only saw the end product. The bionic woman kicking butt and taking names. But who was Jamie Summers before her bionic prowess? How did she get ...
Karen’s New Radio Job
Happy New Year! I have some exciting news to tell you. I am moving to Cleveland for a new radio job in February. Thank you to everyone in South Florida for supporting my radio career in Miami, my wonderful listeners in Charleston, SC and Florence, SC., and of course everyone on the Working Divas Network. I have been absent for a minute trying to get my professional and personal life in order for this cross country move. Once I am settled, (sometime in February) I will be more active on the blog and network. I can't wait to reconnect with ...
For decades, our images were rarely featured in mainstream fairytales, but a new day has come. This holiday season, Anika Noni Rose makes history when she’s crowned as Disney’s first, Black Princess–Tiana–in ‘The Princess and the Frog.’ With credits spanning stage (‘Caroline, or Change’), film (‘Dreamgirls’) and television (‘The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’), the 37-year-old Tony Award-winner is intent on keeping her good fortune rolling.
Essence.com caught up with Rose to chat about landing her dream job, seeing herself in animation and how she hopes to switch things up for her next, big role.
ESSENCE.com:What was your initial thought when you heard there was going to be a Black animated princess? ANIKA NONI ROSE: Oh my God, I was thrilled. [Working with] Disney has been my dream, so I just focused on getting the part and when I did, I called home screaming! [laughs] There’s no reason why a girl from Connecticut would end up being the first Black Disney princess.
ESSENCE.com: Well, there’s no reason why not, either! Weren’t Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and Tyra Banks being considered, too? ROSE: I read that they were, but I don’t know any details. Ultimately, that didn’t matter to me because I was competing against me. As an actor, if you spend so much time thinking about how many other people are coming into a room, you’ll psyche yourself out before you even get there.
ESSENCE.com:How did you feel when you saw Tiana on the big screen for the first time? ROSE: When I saw Tiana, with my expression on her face, in color, standing in the moonlight, surrounded by sparkles–I was truly undone! I’ve been crying for a year– seriously.
ESSENCE.com:What does it mean to you to be making history? ROSE: The largesse of it all didn’t hit me [in the beginning], but when they unveiled the doll to me, I remember thinking, “There’s a doll, based on me and the work I’ve done, that’s going to be here for these little girls–and she’s glamorous.” This movie is showing the world a different picture of Black America, which is phenomenal. It’s just phenomenal.
ESSENCE.com:What were your feelings about the initial criticism surrounding the film, specifically relating to the prince not being Black and the firefly being a bit…ethnic? ROSE: I was surprised by some of the things that the community took issue with, especially considering the amount of negativity that’s in the world about us, on TV and film. But I think it’s really about us not ever having this happen before and wanting to have some control over our image, because we so rarely do. There’s a lot of humor in the film. There are also a lot of touching moments that I think are very genuine and it’s all been done with such love, which you can see in the details. You can see it in Tiana’s little, round nose and in how she moves…and that firefly’s funny!
ESSENCE.com: So, what can we expect from you next? ROSE: Well, I’m co-composing a musical for Broadway. I’m reading a lot, too, and I’m always looking for books that are a possibility to make. I’d love to do some foreign films and also, an action movie where I could wear a boot–a heel–and beat somebody’s butt. I’d be 5′2″ and just punching and kicking…in leather! [laughs]
We are a few weeks away from the premiere of the highly anticipated Disney animation, “The Princess and the Frog.” Get a quick peak before you take your little princess. Not only will she love it. You will love it too.
You still have time to get your limited edition, “Princess and the Frog” bath and body products from Carol’s Daughter. The Magical Collection is selling like hotcakes. Put in your order now for holiday gift giving.
This is a BIG DEAL! Princess Tiana made her royal debut last Monday at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. This is huge for me because as a woman of color it is so amazing to see Disney’ first African-American princess make her entrance into the world.
Yes, I’ve admired Snow White and Cinderella growing up, but now little girls of color have a princess in their own image and I think it is a beautiful thing. So beautiful that when my husband pointed her out to me across the walkway I hurried (in awe) to stand in line to take a picture with her like I was a little princess.
For the last two years, every time I visit Disney I’ve looked for Princess Tiana’s existence. From the princess shops to the gift shop at my hotel, I’ve watched her come about slowly, anticipating the items I would pick up for…well…myself. As women, we all have a little princess that lives within us and now I have a few Princess Tiana collectibles to remind me.
Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” hits theaters nationwide December 11th. Will you be there? I know I will!
Disney’s EPCOT Food and Wine Festival ROCKS! This is our fourth year going and it gets better every time. It’s our way to drain the stresses of everyday life and go on a trip around the world in two hours flat. My favorites this year were the Bacardi Berry Pina Colada in Puerto Rico and the beef rolls and sake’ in Japan. (I’m so happy they brought them back this year).
By the time we were finished wine tasting, pairing and just straight up drinking we stopped in England for our favorite….the authentic fish and chips. They are to die for…if you ever get a chance to go to EPCOT you have to stop in England for the fish and chips…no one does it better. They are melt in your mouth good!
We shared a table with a couple and their young child (our little one loved it) from Miami and we chatted for a couple of hours about life, family and our love for Disney. OK, we found out we weren’t the only ones that took that three hour drive every few months.
Overall, it was a wonderful weekend. Our little one got to go to his favorite place in the whole world, Animal Kingdom. From the safari ride to digging for dinosaur bones he had it all covered. And was tired enough afterwards to chill in the stroller and let mommy and daddy kick up their heels. Its been a tough year! We usually take in a few demonstrations but this year it was more about being carefree…plus…we will be back next year.
As we toasted to great times in the most magical place while watching the the sun dance over the lagoon setting over the World Showcase, you can feel the Disney Pixie dust in air before the Illumination Fire Works show. Ahhhh…..getaway! CHEERS!
Enjoy a few pictures of our favorites. Do you have a Disney story?
Problem: You’ve heard all about the health benefits of pomegranates—protect against free radicals, help regulate blood pressure, maintain digestive regularity—and ... […]
If you're looking to amp up the "wow" factor this season, no need to go out and buy a push-up bra or fishnets. A few smart buys and some little wardrobe tweaks will earn you tons of compliments and a perfect 10 in the spring style category. […]
When it comes to serious glamour, not all clothes were created equal, ladies. (Case in point: that beloved yet embarrassingly pilly cardigan you can't give up.) The good news is that if you know what to look for, wardrobe pieces with instant glam-up potential are easy to find. In fact, you've probably got at least one--if not all--of these pieces i […]
When it comes to clothes, we're eternal optimists: We can see the good in pretty much anything--even the scary stuff. Not so with the dudes, we learned. When we asked a few of our guy friends what they thought about the fall 2010 Fashion Week shows, they had a lot to say. Here, their no-holds-barred comments on some of the wilder outfits that debuted on […]
Sure, the clothes on the runway made us swoon. But some of the most memorable Fashion Week moments happened in the front row, backstage and at parties. Read on for some of Fashion Week's most shocking, entertaining, stylish and exciting highs and lows. […]
For decades, our images were rarely featured in mainstream fairytales, but a new day has come. This holiday season, Anika Noni Rose makes history when she’s crowned as Disney’s first, Black Princess–Tiana–in ‘The Princess and the Frog.’ With credits spanning stage (‘Caroline, or Change’), film (‘Dreamgirls’) and television (‘The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’), the 37-year-old Tony Award-winner is intent on keeping her good fortune rolling.
