The 2009 animated fairy tale, loosely based on E. D. Baker's The Frog Princess, was a landmark in Walt Disney Studio history, as it was the first time a black character was cast as the lead protagonist. So it was unsurprising that so many famous black stars wanted to play the role of the poor young waitress Tiana who falls in love with a prince, but as to escape life as a frog before getting her happy ever after.
In Confessions Of A Casting Director, Rubin stated that, ' wanted it. They had to sing, so we made it clear they needed sheet music. came in with a CD, but it didn't matter because she was so pretty and nice. It however went to , who was the most qualified.'
Anika and Beyoncé go way back as they both starred in the 2006 cinematic adaption of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls