Hollywood casting director, Jen Rubin has revealed that super star Beyonce once refused to audition for a role as Princess Tiana in the Disney animation, Princess And The Frog in 2009. In her recently released autobiography, ‘Confession of a Casting Director,’ Ruben said, Alicia Keys, Tyra Banks and Jennifer Hudson tired but failed.
According to Rubin, ‘Beyonce expected an offer’, but wouldn’t audition and so she didn’t get one, meanwhile Alicia Keys auditioned three times but failed to secure the part. However the role went toDreamGirls star, Anika Noni Rose who was ‘the most qualified’.
Jen Rubin with Mark Fincannon
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 waitressTiana 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, ‘Tyra Banks, Jennifer Hudson wanted it. They had to sing, so we made it clear they needed sheet music. Tyra came in with a CD, but it didn’t matter because she was so pretty and nice. It however went to Anika Noni Rose, 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
DreamGirls – Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce & Anika Noni Rose
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