Anika Noni Rose | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Rose atGalaxyCon Raleigh in 2024 | |
| Born | (1972-09-06)September 6, 1972 (age 52) Bloomfield, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Education | Florida A&M University(BA) American Conservatory Theater(MFA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Spouse | |
Anika Noni Rose (born September 6, 1972) is an American actress. She is best known for voicingTiana inThe Princess and the Frog (2009). She was named aDisney Legend in 2011.
Rose starred as Lorrell Robinson in the Academy Award-winning filmDreamgirls (2006). Her contribution to the film's soundtrack earned her a nomination for aGrammy Award.[1] She is also known for her performances in theatre, particularly for starring as Emmie Thibodeaux in the Broadway production ofCaroline, or Change (2004), for which she won theTony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, and Beneatha Younger in the Broadway revival ofA Raisin in the Sun (2014), for which she was nominated for theTony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.
Rose was born inBloomfield, Connecticut, to Claudia and John Rose, a corporate counsel.[2] She attended Bloomfield High School, appearing in a school production during her freshman year. She earned abachelor's degree in theatre fromFlorida A&M University,[3] then studied drama at theAmerican Conservatory Theater inSan Francisco, California.
Rose moved to New York without a job. After three months, she played the role of Rusty in Broadway'sFootloose. She followedFootloose with numerous workshops and twomusicals using pre-existing song catalogs,Eli's Comin'Off-Broadway[4] andMe and Mrs. Jones withLou Rawls in Philadelphia. Both of the full-scaletuners[N 1] were rumored for transfers, but neither made it anywhere after their limited engagements ended. Rose's big Broadway break was getting cast as Emmie Thibodeaux inCaroline, or Change. In 2004, she was awarded the Theatre World Award, the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Featured Actress, and theTony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical forCaroline, or Change.
After her film debut,King of the Bingo Game, she played the role of Kaya inFrom Justin to Kelly in 2003 and performed inTemptation in 2004, followed bySurviving Christmas as a singer in the choir. In 2006, Rose starred inDreamgirls as Lorrell Robinson withBeyoncé Knowles,Jennifer Hudson,Jamie Foxx, andEddie Murphy. Rose appeared in the filmsJust Add Water andRazor.
Rose also starred alongsideJill Scott inThe No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency directed byAnthony Minghella.[6]
_(cropped).jpg)
Rose is best known for her role in Disney's 2009 animated featureThe Princess and the Frog as the voice of the lead characterTiana. Rose was named aDisney Legend on August 19, 2011.[7] Rose said, "I always dreamed of being a voice in a Disney movie, but even in those dreams, I never once dreamed of being a princess... I feel like what an honor that this is and how the dream comes true, bigger and stronger than I had even imagined it."[8]
In 2010, Rose played the role of Yasmine in the filmFor Colored Girls directed byTyler Perry and co-starringPhylicia Rashad andJanet Jackson. One critic described Rose's performance as "especially fierce".[9] From 2010 to 2013, Rose had a guest-starring role in the legal TV dramaThe Good Wife. She played the role of Sara Tidwell in theA&E miniseriesBag of Bones in 2011, based on theStephen King novel of thesame name.[10]
In 2012, Rose guest-starred inThe Simpsons episode "Gone Abie Gone", voicingAbe Simpson's second wife, Rita LaFleur.
In 2014, Rose returned to Broadway in a revival ofA Raisin in the Sun, receiving a nomination for theTony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.[11]
Rose played the adult Kizzy in two episodes ofRoots, an adaptation of the novel byAlex Haley and a remake of the1977 miniseries. Critic Alan Sepinwall, in suggesting Emmy nominees to the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, called her "one of the best parts of the outstandingRoots ensemble".[12] She had a role in theStarz seriesPower[13] and the leading role in the 2017 BET dramaThe Quad.[14] In 2019, a star was named after Rose through theInternational Star Registry.[3]
.jpg)
During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown of 2020, Rose created a weekly series,Bedtime Stories for the Littles, where she read bedtime stories to small children to help ease their fear during the lockdown. Rose said, "I love reading to kids, and I wanted to give our little people something soft and soothing in this very jarring moment in time. I thought a bedtime story would be the perfect way. I can give my voice to the ones who know it best, without anyone leaving home."[15] She also said that she wanted to help children act silly, use their imaginations, and find a love of books that Rose said she had as a child.[16][17] As one of the stories in the series, Rose chose thePrincess and the Frog book "Tiana's Growing Experiment."[18]
In 2020, Rose starred in the Netflix musicalJingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey playing Jessica Jangle.[19] Rose applauded the film's portrayal of black and brown professionals in an English Victorian setting.[20] In 2021, she played in the Netflix limited seriesMaid and in the Amazon horror-seriesThem.[21][22] Between 2022 and 2023, she acted as Naomi Cole onShowtime seriesLet the Right One In and returned to voice the character of Tiana in Disney special filmOnce Upon a Studio and seriesLego Disney Princess: The Castle Quest.[23]
In 2024, she returned to acting in the theater after four years, playing the role of Elena in theLincoln Center Theatre revival of theAnton Chekov playUncle Vanya at theVivian Beaumont Theatre.[24] The same year Rose worked as a voice actress in season two ofSuperKitties, where she voiced Cat Burglar's country cousin Sassy,[25] and inBarry Jenkins' filmMufasa: The Lion King as Afia, being nominated at the56th NAACP Image Awards for her performance.[26]
In June 2020, Disney announced that they would be reworking the rideSplash Mountain in their U.S. theme parks with characters fromThe Princess and the Frog due to controversy regarding its base film,Song of the South. Rose said: "It's thrilling. People are amped and ready. I think it's awesome, particularly now, to be reinvigorating her story." Disney stated that the ride would take place after the events of the film, duringCarnival season.[27] Rose also added that she would love for Disney to create a Tiana's Palace Restaurant at the theme parks. "I've been looking forward to a Tiana's Palace for years... I have dreams of them partnering with [New Orleans']Café du Monde on some real dealbeignets, having some fantasticshrimp and grits andking cake duringMardi Gras season. And the occasionalsecond line through the joint. Basically all the things I love!"[28][29][30] In June 2022, Rose mentioned that she was involved with discussions with Disney on what they wanted the ride to be like.[31] In July 2022, Disney announced that the ride would be calledTiana's Bayou Adventure, setting and opening date of "late 2024" atDisneyland andMagic Kingdom.[32] In September 2022, it was confirmed that Rose would reprise her role asTiana for the ride.[33] In January 2023, it was announced that Disneyland would convert its French Market Restaurant in theNew Orleans Square section of the park into a Tiana's Palace restaurant.[34] Tiana's Palace opened in September 2023.[35] Tianas Bayou Adventure opened at Magic Kingdom in June 2024, and at Disneyland in November 2024.[36][37]
Rose married actor Jason Dirden in October 2022. The wedding, which was officiated byColman Domingo, took place at theParamour Estate in Los Angeles. The couple kept their nuptials a secret before announcing they were married inBrides magazine on January 16, 2023.[38][39]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | King of the Bingo Game | Film Noir Female | Short film |
| 2003 | From Justin to Kelly | Kaya | |
| 2004 | Temptation | Fog | |
| Surviving Christmas | Choir | ||
| 2006 | Dreamgirls | Lorrell Maya Robinson | |
| 2008 | Just Add Water | R'ch'lle | |
| 2009 | The Princess and the Frog | Tiana (voice) | [40] |
| 2010 | For Colored Girls | Yasmine | |
| 2011 | Company | Marta | |
| 2012 | Skyler | Therapist | |
| 2013 | As Cool as I Am | Frances | |
| Khumba | Lungisa (voice) | ||
| Half of a Yellow Sun | Kainene | ||
| 2014 | Imperial Dreams | Miss Price | |
| A Day Late and a Dollar Short | Paris | ||
| 2016 | Throne of Elves | Meyla (voice) | |
| Grace for President | Narrator | Video short | |
| 2017 | Vixen | Kuasa (voice) | Video |
| Everything, Everything | Dr. Pauline Whittier | ||
| 2018 | Assassination Nation | Nance | |
| Ralph Breaks the Internet | Tiana (voice) | [40] | |
| 2020 | Body Cam | Taneesha Branz | [41] |
| Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey | Jessica Jangle | [42] | |
| 2021 | The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain | Candace Wade | [43] |
| Injustice | Selina Kyle / Catwoman (voice) | [44][40] | |
| 2023 | Once Upon a Studio | Tiana (voice) | Short film[40] |
| Outlaw Johnny Black | Jessie Lee | [45] | |
| 2024 | Mufasa: The Lion King | Afia (voice) | [46] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 100 Centre Street | Woman | Episode: "Domestic Abuses" |
| 2002 | Third Watch | Monay | Episode: "Thicker Than Water" |
| 2003 | Hack | Episode: "Hidden Agenda" | |
| 2007 | The Starter Wife | Lavender | Main cast |
| 2008–09 | The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency | Grace Makutsi | Main cast |
| 2010–13 | The Good Wife | Wendy Scott-Carr | Recurring role (season 2–3), guest (season 4) |
| 2011 | LA Phil Live | Juliet | Episode: "Dudamel Conducts Tchaikovsky" |
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Miriam Deng | Episode: "Scorched Earth" | |
| Have a Little Faith | Annette | TV film | |
| Bag of Bones | Sara Tidwell | Episode: "Part 1 & 2" | |
| 2012 | Private Practice | Corinne Bennett | Recurring role (season 5) |
| Elementary | Dr. Carrie Dwyer | Episode: "Lesser Evils" | |
| The Simpsons | Rita LaFleur (voice) | Episode: "Gone Abie Gone" | |
| 2013 | The Watsons Go to Birmingham | Wilona Sands Watson | TV film |
| 2014 | A Day Late and a Dollar Short | Paris Price | TV film |
| Sofia the First | Princess Tiana (voice) | Episode: "Winter's Gift"[40] | |
| 2015 | For Justice | Natalia Chapin | TV film |
| 2015–16 | Bates Motel | Liz Babbitt | Recurring role (season 3–4) |
| 2015–16 | Vixen | Kuasa (voice) | Main role[40] |
| 2016 | Roots | Kizzy Waller | Episode: "Part 3 & 4" |
| 2016–17 | Power | LaVerne "Jukebox" Ganner | Recurring role (season 3–4) |
| 2017 | Voltron: Legendary Defender | Acxa (voice) | 2 episodes; role recast withErica Luttrell |
| 2017–18 | The Quad | Dr. Eva Fletcher | Main cast |
| 2018 | American Masters | Lorraine Hansberry (voice) | Episode: "Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart" |
| 2018–19 | Disney Comics in Motion | Tiana (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2019 | Avengers Assemble | Yemandi (voice) | Episode: "Yemandi"[40] |
| Beast Mode | Marsha Blackstone | TV film | |
| 2020 | Magical Girl Friendship Squad: Origins | Nut (voice) | Main cast |
| Little Fires Everywhere | Pauline Hawthorne | 2 episodes | |
| 2021 | Family Reunion | Miss Karen | Episode: "Remember Mazzi's First Love?" |
| Them | Ella Mae Johnson | Recurring role | |
| Maid | Regina | Main role | |
| 2021–22 | Amphibia | Dr. Jan (voice) | Recurring role (season 3) |
| 2022 | Let the Right One In | Naomi Cole | Main role |
| Pantheon | Various roles | Voice; 4 episodes | |
| 2023 | Lego Disney Princess: The Castle Quest | Princess Tiana (voice) | TV special[40] |
| Star Wars: Visions | Eureka, Livy's Mother (voice) | Episode: "The Pit"[40] | |
| 2024 | SuperKitties | Cousin Sassy (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2025 | Eyes of Wakanda | TBA (voice) | In production |
| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Insurrection: Holding History | Katie Lynn | American Conservatory Theater | San Francisco |
| Valley Song | Veronica Jonkers | Berkeley Repertory Theater | Berkeley | |
| Hydriotaphia, or the Death of Dr. Browne | His Soul | Berkeley Repertory Theater | Berkeley | |
| 1999 | Tartuffe | Marianne | American Conservatory Theater | San Francisco |
| Threepenny Opera | Polly Peachum | American Conservatory Theater | San Francisco | |
| 2000 | Footloose | Rusty | Richard Rodgers Theatre | Broadway debut; replacement |
| 2001 | Carmen Jones | Cindy Lou | York Theatre | Off-Broadway |
| Eli's Comin' | The Woman | Vineyard Theatre | Off-Broadway | |
| Me and Mrs. Jones | Cookie | Prince Music Theater | Philadelphia | |
| 2003 | Caroline, or Change | Emmie Thibodeaux | The Public Theater | Off-Broadway |
| 2004 | Eugene O'Neill Theatre | Broadway | ||
| Ahmanson Theatre | Los Angeles | |||
| 2008 | Cat on a Hot Tin Roof | Maggie "The Cat" | Broadhurst Theatre | Broadway |
| 2011 | Company | Marta | David Geffen Hall | New York Philharmonic concert |
| 2013 | Hamilton | Angelica Schuyler | Vassar College | Workshop |
| 2014 | A Raisin in the Sun | Beneatha Younger | Ethel Barrymore Theatre | Broadway |
| 2018 | Carmen Jones | Carmen Jones | Classic Stage Company | Off-Broadway |
| 2024 | Uncle Vanya | Elena | Vivian Beaumont Theatre | Broadway |
| Year | Title | Voice role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Kinect: Disneyland Adventures | Princess Tiana |
| 2012 | Disney Princess: My Fairytale Adventure | |
| 2024 | Disney Dreamlight Valley |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |