Directors Ron Clements and John Musker opted against hiring "big stars '' to voice the film 's main characters, explaining, "It can help with the identification of that animated character with the voice if you do n't get an instant mental picture of the real actor. '' Several well - known African American female entertainers expressed interest in voicing Tiana, including recording artists Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson and Alicia Keys, and actress and fashion model Tyra Banks. The role of Tiana ultimately went to actress and singer Anika Noni Rose, who co-starred alongside Knowles and Hudson in Dreamgirls (2006). When Rose was personally contacted by Disney about voicing Tiana, her expectations were not particularly high. She explained, "I was n't planning on being a princess. I thought I 'd be like a weeping willow or something. '' To prepare herself for her audition, Rose made sure that she "had a voice ready. ''
who plays tina in the princess and the frog
Anika Noni Rose