Disney dream comes true for young actress
VIDEO - The new film "The Princess and the Frog" is the first Disney animated film featuring an African-American princess...
The new film “The Princess and the Frog” is the first Disney animated film featuring an African-American princess. Ten-year-old Elizabeth Dampier, a straight A student at St. Richard Catholic School, won the role of the voice of young Tiana, the princess in the movie.
“Well I had many open call auditions and they called me and I came out to L.A,” Elizabeth said. “And I did the voice over and was so excited when I heard that they picked me.”
Her parents, Jeanna Dampier who is a molecular biologist and Reggie Dampier, a local optometrist, say Elizabeth has always had talent. But to get this role has been an almost three year process.
“From day one we knew she had the ability to entertain and then with her academic skills, she is able to memorize things well so they came hand in hand and make her a good actress,” said Reggie.
“Oprah Winfrey is the voice of her mother and Terrence Howard is the voice of her father. John Goodman is also in the movie and Anika Noni Rose is the voice of Tiana as the adult character so she is right up there among those heavy hitters,” said Jeanna.
To win the role of young Tiana she had to develop a New Orleans accent.
“I was excited and I am blessed and privileged that God would give me such an opportunity and that this movie will go down in history,” said Elizabeth.
Her agent Sharon Ward says it has been her job to help train and guide Elizabeth and at the same time be protective of her, and her career.
“The sky’s the limit,” Sharon said. “I mean she’s very articulate, she auditions very, very well, she takes direction very well, very polite as you can tell, ‘Yes ma’am. No ma’am.’”
The big premiere is set for L.A. this weekend.
