Ari Lennox Expresses Interest In ‘Princess & The Frog’ Role As Twitter Debates Over Potential Tiana Casting

On Monday evening, the “Stop By” singer shared a video through Instagram that was essentially her informal audition for the role.

The post showed Ari’s rendition of “Almost There” by Anika Noni Rose, a track that’s featured early on in the 2009 animated film and represents Tiana celebrating her journey towards becoming a high-rollin’ restaurateur.

Within the caption of this upload, Ari tagged Disney and proceeded to make it clear that she was shooting her shot. She also noted that she would “love an opportunity to audition for Princess and the Frog in person.”

“Hi @Disney I’m Ari Lennox and I would love an opportunity to audition for Princess and The Frog in person. Here’s #AlmostThere by Anika Noni Rose.”

You can peep Ari’s video down below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom)

While on the subject, Ari Lennox’s lil’ Instagram audition came as the matter of who should be cast as Tiana began to pick up major steam on Twitter.

A post featuring arrays of stars circulated as users inquired about who should get the role, and some of the suggested celebs included Zendaya, Chloe Bailey, and even Jenna Ortega.

They create a life action Princess in the frog, who’s playing as Tiana? pic.twitter.com/ZqO1Ic6BqP

— ben. (@featurespice) March 19, 2023

However, others weren’t pleased with these options, as they proclaimed that Tiana “should be dark skin.”

Hot take: maybe tiana should be dark skin? https://t.co/GbRArgEQM6

— traininng arc (@vantacreates) March 20, 2023

The live action role of Princess Tiana is meant for a Darkskin Black Woman…if they pull up with someone who’s not that, there’s gonna be a sears problem so they better get it right. pic.twitter.com/TmpqJEplnp

— Cindy Noir✨ (@thecindynoir) March 20, 2023

no light skinned woman should play Tiana I’m sorry. https://t.co/gTsfEQpFtZ

— Big M💎 (@mihletshemese) March 19, 2023

Regarding this point, people shared that Tiana’s race “is an important part of her character and literally [a part] of the story development.” They also made it clear that this isn’t the time for a The Little Mermaid-type situation.

they keep comparing it to the little mermaid like NO. tianas race is an important part of her character and literally apart of the story development, the only thing that’s important to ariels story is her tail.

— frank ocean enthusiast (@greenbeees4) March 20, 2023

In turn, some users proceeded to declare that the role would be perfect for Keke Palmer, Normani, Ryan Destiny, or Coco Jones.

Ladies and gentleman, our live action Princess Tiana pic.twitter.com/7UUyGhheTQ

— attrapeur de rêves (@Lyn_thinks) March 21, 2023

Normani as Princess Tiana NEEDS to happen pic.twitter.com/eE3N0l5FvS

— 🌙hrïs (@chris_tmanor) March 18, 2023

coco jones, ryan destiny, & normani are the only valid options as tiana https://t.co/B1elKgjLkD

— BORIS (@xborisr) March 19, 2023

Baby Tate also threw herself into the mix.

I wanna be Princess Tiana

— tatey 💖🐥💅🏾 (@imbabytate) March 20, 2023

In spite of all the celebrity options, however, it was also proclaimed that the role should go to an “undiscovered darkskinned girl who is hungry for a lead role!”

I don’t wanna see no damn zendaya, chloe bailey, normani, or even coco jones as Princess Tiana . I want them to cast a talented undiscovered darkskinned girl who is hungry for a lead role!

— 𝐿𝑜 (@Lorayamilan) March 19, 2023

We should also point out that, given how Disney decided to have their first Black princess be a frog for the majority of her screen time, one Portuguese-speaking user said that the casting should be less of a hot topic.

Pensando muito sobre o fato de todo mundo estar debatendo quem faria uma tiana perfeita sendo que ela vai passar 90% do filme assim pic.twitter.com/ghg1p6gXO1

— Kenya (@Kenyawst) March 20, 2023

Finally, there were also those who were firm in their stance that a live-action remake of the film is NOT needed.

NOBODY CAN BE PRINCESS TIANA COS A LIVE ACTION SHOULDN’T HAPPEN. pic.twitter.com/B2JNImQPWD

— rmeg (@nmkvirgos) March 19, 2023

What are your thoughts on the Twitter discourse, and would you be down to see Ari Lennox play the role of Tiana in the live-action remake of The Princess and the Frog?