MAYOR RAY NAGIN SHARES THOUGHTS ON PRINCESS AND THE FROG MOVIE
By all accounts, Disney's animated fairy-tale "The Princess and the Frog," which opens next Friday (Dec. 11) in New Orleans, is a warm, family-friendly affair, telling the story of a New Orleans girl named Tiana who puckers up for an amphibian in a twist on the classic "Frog Prince" tale. For at least one high-profile local household, however, it's become a lightning rod for some good-natured teasing.
'"I'm having this great debate at home right now, and you guys are a big part of that," Mayor Ray Nagin told Disney dignitaries, including directors John Musker and Ron Clements, at the recent opening of the New Orleans Museum of Art's "Dreams Come True" exhibit of Disney artwork.
"My daughter's name is Tianna, for those of you who don't know -- with two n's -- so they were very excited," Nagin said. "(But) there's also a character in this movie named Ray the firefly, for those of you don't know that."
The problem, Nagin explained, is that although the movie version of Tiana gets to wear beautiful dresses, attend galas and engage in other princess-ly pursuits, the character of Ray -- a lovesick Cajun firefly -- is a bit less dignified.
"She says, 'Daddy, I'm a princess in the movie -- and you're a firefly who has eaten too many red beans and is always saying "Excuse me, excuse me" because he's got gas.' "
After the laughter subsided, Nagin, who was among those treated to a 30-minute sneak peek of the film, offered a sincere thank you to Disney for what he saw as a sensitive portrayal of the city.
"Disney always does things at a world-class level," he said.
'"I'm having this great debate at home right now, and you guys are a big part of that," Mayor Ray Nagin told Disney dignitaries, including directors John Musker and Ron Clements, at the recent opening of the New Orleans Museum of Art's "Dreams Come True" exhibit of Disney artwork.
"My daughter's name is Tianna, for those of you who don't know -- with two n's -- so they were very excited," Nagin said. "(But) there's also a character in this movie named Ray the firefly, for those of you don't know that."
The problem, Nagin explained, is that although the movie version of Tiana gets to wear beautiful dresses, attend galas and engage in other princess-ly pursuits, the character of Ray -- a lovesick Cajun firefly -- is a bit less dignified.
"She says, 'Daddy, I'm a princess in the movie -- and you're a firefly who has eaten too many red beans and is always saying "Excuse me, excuse me" because he's got gas.' "
After the laughter subsided, Nagin, who was among those treated to a 30-minute sneak peek of the film, offered a sincere thank you to Disney for what he saw as a sensitive portrayal of the city.
"Disney always does things at a world-class level," he said.
AND THEY HAD THIS BUTTERFLY'S ACCENT DOWN TO A TEE IN THAT MOVIE...I'm jealous (LOL)!!!
I still say the same as everyone else on my block, the prince should have been Black. We feel the fact the voodoo villian is Black gives folks the impression that Black men are no good and will never amount to nothing. Oh, well...Y’all heard what the woman playing Tiana, Anika Rose said... love is love.