During a time when Disney is simply slacking on their movie game, let’s all remember the reign and obsession of the Disney princesses. Growing up in the 2010s, I was obsessed with Disney princesses. They represented the best: beauty, brains, kindness and charm, and they always got the best: the best house, the best man, the best ending. But oftentimes, Disney princesses make ordinary girls, including myself, feel inferior. How could we ever get our happy ending? Furthermore, why did so many of these princesses seem so out-of-touch and men-obsessed? Is a prince what my future happiness depends on?

Then I watched the 2009 release of “The Princess and the Frog” and all my doubts diminished. Seeing Tiana on the screen inspired me to act like she did, with the same grace through hardships, leadership, kindness, honesty, independence and humor. She represents what all people hope to become, and for that, she deserves recognition as the best Disney princess.

In the first 20 minutes of the movie, we see the challenges Tiana has to overcome. She loses her father, who she loves, and struggles with poverty. These very real-life problems are apparent in this movie, something other Disney princess movies lack. While Aurora’s prince tries to deal with a literal dragon, the figurative dragon for Tiana is the reality of life’s struggles. However, these struggles didn’t send her into a spiral. Instead, she worked toward her goals and her dream of opening her own restaurant. This modern-day aspiration is exciting to see and as a viewer; I was able to empathize, which made it all the more impressive seeing her handle them.

Tiana did not mope around all day because she had to work two jobs and didn’t even mope when she was eventually turned into a frog. She grabbed ahold of the situation and got to work. Not only did she have dreams independently as a young woman, she worked for what she wanted. Tiana took her life into her own hands and was creative and fearless, not shying away from an older building to purchase but knowing that she has the capability to renovate it herself and transform it into her restaurant, “Tiana’s Place.”

She displays all these qualities of independence, leadership, intelligence, honesty and discipline before she meets Prince Naveen and the main conflict is introduced. This shows the audience that she is no ordinary princess— she is a princess with a personality. 

As the main character of the movie, Tiana is bound for some character development, as no one is perfect. This development shows the way a healthy relationship between two people should be. Naveen teaches her how to relax and appreciate life, while she gives him a reality check and teaches him the value of tenacity. Not only does the prince or princess in this relationship change for the better, but both of them grow and each made sacrifices and changes to help each other become better people overall.

I simply refuse to believe any Disney princess is as amazing as Tiana. Belle falls in love with her kidnapper, Mulan’s story is unrelatable and Rapunzel should donate her hair. These women have my respect, but they do not display as many admirable qualities as Tiana.

To award her the crown of best Disney princess, I suppose one has to evaluate what it means to be a princess. Does it simply mean marrying a prince, or is it possessing the desirable qualities of leadership, independence, charm and humor, no matter what life throws at you? I tend to think the latter.

I hope Disney and other influential companies create more princesses like Tiana so every child has a hero they can look up to and become one day. Hopefully, we are “Almost There.”