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Tiana Trends as Social Media Debates the Best Disney Princesses

princess and the frog, princess tiana and prince naveen
Credit: Disney

There’s a Disney storm brewing—and no, it’s not one Disney World’s classic thunderstorms. This one involves a debate for the best Disney Princess, and Tiana is at the forefront of the discussion.

princess aurora meeting little girl walt disney world

Credit: Disney

Over the weekend, a heated debate on X (formerly Twitter) questioned Disney’s most graceful characters. With Disney’s finger forever on the pulse of nostalgia, the stories surrounding Disney’s princesses have had a hold on fans for nearly a century. Whether it’s their dreamy vocals, cute companions, triumphs, or relatability, everyone seems to have a royal favorite in Disney fandom.

With shifting cultural norms and sensitivities since Snow White’s debut in 1937, there’s tension around representation in Disney’s circle of princesses. With certified Disney classics and empowered Disney trailblazers, @DPrincess_Facts posed a simple yet polarizing question in a viral post on X:

Who are your ‘Big 3’ Disney Princesses?

Related: Disney FINALLY Gives Us Opening Details for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!

Cinderella, Aurora, and Belle would seem like obvious choices since they share prime real estate in Disney’s Parks around the globe. Still, they’re only three of the 13 Disney princesses officially marketed by Disney.

While predictable responses, including Ariel and Mulan, rose to the top of the comments, one more modern princess’s name started trending on Twitter: Princess Tiana.

princess and the frog princess tiana

Credit: Disney

Moving into her own prominent Disney Park space with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure replacing the coveted Splash Mountain, Tiana has sparked buzz around Disney for months. As Disney’s First African American princess who overcame the odds with hard work and perseverance, it’s no surprise that Tiana has garnered a growing fan base.

But if Halle Bailey’s tumultuous run as the first black Ariel in The Little Mermaid (2023) has taught us anything, it’s that progressive Disney princesses tend to get backlash.

Halle Bailey Ariel

Halle Bailey as Ariel in ‘The Little Mermaid’. Credit: Choovie Group, Flickr

Anika Noni Rose’s Tiana from The Princess and the Frog (2009) inspired a generation of Disney princess fans, but she didn’t quite win over every princess enthusiast on the thread.

Although Tiana’s name kept springing up as a “Big 3” contender, fans like @ArielandToad54 disagreed with the distinction, with a top three excluding Tiana:

Ariel

Cinderella 

Rapunzel in that order specifically (also speaking specifically of animated, live action as of right now the only princess I liked has been Aurora but in general I just prefer animated media)

In Tiana’s defense, ​​@blkwatcher said:

the person who got jumped for saying rapunzel along with tiana and mulan was speaking factually idc

More Tiana fans like @kenejathegr8 emphasized the power of representation for black girls, cementing Tiana in an unwavering spot on the short list of Disney’s best princesses:

every little Black girl was Princess Tiana down.. i mean night gowns, princess dresses, tea cup sets, the [heeled] sandals, allat. don’t down talk her ever

Tiana aside, the Disney discourse could last longer than Sleeping Beauty’s nap. Disney princesses are the idols that shaped countless childhoods, and they will always hold a special place in the hearts of Disney enthusiasts ready to spring at the chance to defend their favorites.

As Disney strides toward inclusivity and representation, the conversation will expand for years to come.

Who are your top 3 Disney Princesses? Let us know in the comments below!

About Kaitlin Morelli

A Disney World Guest since before she could walk, Kaitlin is a Jersey girl and former Virginia Tech Hokie. When she's not listening to the 'Moana' soundtrack on repeat with her baby daughter, she's writing, singing, and strumming the ukulele. Kaitlin is passionate about finding the best Disney Park tips n' tricks and moments when pop culture and Disney collide. She's looking forward to eventually taking her first Disney trip with her favorite fan in the making: her daughter.

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