Photo Credit: BF
Anika Noni Rose is an African American singer and actress. She attended Florida A&M University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre and went to study drama at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, CA. Ms. Rose has won numerous awards including a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical Caroline, or Change. Ms. Rose made her debut in movies in 1999 by starting in King of the Bingo Game. She appeared in Dreamgirls with Beyonce’ Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, and Eddie Murphy. In 2008-2009, she appeared alongside Jill Scott in HBO series The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.
Ms. Rose was the voice of the lead character, Tiana, the first African American Disney princess, in the 2009 Disney features The Princess and the Frog. This is one of my favorite movies. I had the honor of attending the 2011 Disney Legend Award Ceremony at the D23 Expo. I witnessed Ms. Rose receiving the Disney Legend Award for the voice of Tiana. She performed “Almost There” one of the songs from the movie. Good friends of mine, Toni F (@dopey926) and Bob F. (@Jiminy1231), were able to ask Ms. Rose to autograph my blank Vinylmation. They were also able to see Ms. Rose and other Legends put their hand prints and signatures on plaques that would be bronzed and placed at The Legends Plaza in The Walt Disney Studios.
Photo Credit: EH
The Legends Ceremony at the D23 Expo was one of the highlights for me. It was very touching to see how humbled most were to have been bestowed that honor.
Being able to get right up front to get some candid pictures and, of course, getting Anika to sign the vinyl was a WIN WIN!!! She is a beautiful person inside and out.
I love seeing fellow FAMUans doing great things! Ms. Rose is a great actress. I loved seeing her on The Good Wife and lately Private Practice. I look forward to seeing her in other things.
I was very moved including wanting to dance when she sung “Almost There”.
This is so well written, and of course, I LOVE LOVE LOVE “Almost There”. I tend to be able to sing it well while in my car with the volume up really loud. I sound just like her. LOL
I am just so proud that she played the part of Tiana with grace and style.
Love, Love, Love her since Ladies #1 Detective Agency.
It was a pleasure to be there to see her honored with the Disney Legends Award. We were very fortunate to be able to watch as impressions of her hands were taken to be bronzed for ultimate display in Legends Plaza.
She was so gracious and took the time to sign a couple items we brought along with us.
Just a very classy Lady…….:)
RaquelC – I thought I sounded like her in the car 🙂
Bob F – Thank you so much for allowing me to use your picture. I hope to have the chance to visit the Walt Disney Studios to see her hand-prints at the Legends Plaza when in CA for the 2013 D23 Expo.