Thursday May 24, 05:54 PM

Actress Rose kisses "Frog" for Disney

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Anika Noni Rose, who sang with Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Hudson in "Dreamgirls." will provide the voice for Princess Tiana in the Walt Disney Co.'s musical animated feature "The Princess and the Frog," slated for a holiday 2009 release.

Walt Disney Animation Studios will produce the New Orleans-set fairy tale, which will introduce the newest Disney princess, Tiana, a girl living in the fabled French Quarter.

The film, previously titled "The Frog Princess," is based on an original story written by Disney filmmaking duo John Musker and Ron Clements, who also will direct. Randy Newman will write songs and the score for "Frog."

Rose next will been seen in USA Network's miniseries "The Starter Wife."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter