Alicia Keys Is The African Princess

By Rafe Telsch: 2007-07-17 11:08:09

Apparently Disney isn’t the only animation studio pushing for an African-princess character. They announced last year that the lead of their movie The Princess and the Frog would be their first African character, with Anika Noni Rose voicing the character. Now Imagine Pictures in on their tail with The African Princess and a princess of their own: Alicia Keys.

A press release from Imagine Pictures has announced that Alicia Keys will voice the lead character of The African Princess, Princess Zya. The young African princess loses her family and is displaced without her memory, but her childhood companion Neebo, helps her remember her heritage and rise up to lead her kingdom.

The press release goes a little overboard about the picture, talking about how supporters are already proclaiming it a beautiful and enriching tale, destined to go on to be one of the greatest animated films of the century, and that the picture is already receiving tons of support and invitations to film festivals across the country. Odd, then, that the movie has no listing at IMDb and not an actual frame of animation has been seen. The only released images are that of Zya (on the right) and Neebo. What are these “supporters” basing an opinion on? Then again, press releases are supposed to build excitement, so I guess its just doing its job.

Alicia Keys is a good casting choice to anchor this kind of story, though, if for no other reason than the fact that her musical crowd will follow her career into the theater. Here’s hoping the story is good too and this isn’t just generated to compete with Disney’s next animated feature. The African Princess is slated for a 2008 release.

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Kleopatra
October 3, 2008 at 03:11

I love Alicia Keys and her singing-turnt-acting and am all set to see The Secret Life of Bees with her alongside Jennifer Hudson and Queen Latifah when it comes out later this month. I have never been to Africa but when I think of an African princess, I think of someone who is dark-skinned and beautiful. I think they should cast that way. I am dark-skinned myself and I think it would be great if little girls around the country would come to see a Disney movie that is cast with a beautiful dark-skinned African star. Unfortunately, knowing Disney, I think they would like to make someone with long flowing hair (like Jasmin from Aladdin, Pocohantas, and Mulan) than a more typical looking African girl.

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Melody
September 17, 2008 at 23:44

Wow this is great I'm a African American too
I am 12 years old And I can't wait for this movie I love all the Disney princesses but it would be nice to Have A African Princess every once in a while.I know shes not Disney but That doesn't mean its still not going to be a good movie I can't wait for this to come out!

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Charity
April 2, 2008 at 15:31

I am impressed. I am an African American artists and I hav written a story about an African princess. I even sketched some ideas. For years I have been wondering if we would ever get an African or African American story. I am still disappointed that it took so long. I thought we had come so far from the old days. I guess some things never change.

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Hoshino Ai
November 8, 2007 at 16:45

I think this is a wonderful idea, and that Alicia would be the perfect choice for this role. ^_^ Thank you for finally recognizing that strong, beautiful and brave princesses come in all colors, as well as heroes. I do hope this idea picks up, and that it will be an inspiration to all Black American little girls. Thank you for this news! ^_~v

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Sarah Steinberg
July 23, 2007 at 16:23

I really! love this films storyline and Princess Zya is amazingly beautiful. I wish Disney could have gotten it right the first time. The African American culture is not just a market, its SO much more than that. The African Princess will do very well and I will spread the word to the 300K mothers within our national organization. We got more information on this film at www.theafricanprincess.com.

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