Anika Noni Rose

An accomplished performer, Anika Noni Rose is known for her role as "Princess Tiana" in Disney's animated film The Princess and the Frog. This role led to three Oscar nominations, including Best Animated Feature and Best Song ("Almost There"). Most recently, Rose reprised this iconic role for the upcoming Disney+ animated series "Tiana," set to premiere in 2024. In addition, she has taken on prominent roles in Netflix's "Maid" and Showtime's series remake "Let The Right One In."

A Tony Award winner, Rose trained at San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater. After relocating to New York, she quickly transitioned to the Broadway stage with a supporting role in "Footloose." In the spring of 2004, Rose's portrayal of "Emmie Thibodeaux" in Tony Kushner's "Caroline or Change" brought her a Tony Award for Featured Actress in a Musical, a Theater World Award, a Clarence Derwent Award, and a Drama Desk nomination. She also received a Lucille Lortel Award for the same role. Rose will be returning to the Broadway stage on April 24 in "Uncle Vanya," alongside Steve Carell and Alfred Molina.

On the cinematic front, Rose played "Lorrell Robinson" in Bill Condon's Dreamgirls, resulting in the film receiving an AFI Ensemble Award and a SAG award nomination. The film also garnered Rose a nomination for an NAACP Award. Her filmography includes memorable performances in Amazon's "Them" and Hulu's "Little Fires Everywhere."

On television, Rose has had recurring roles on "The Good Wife" and "Private Practice." Her powerful voice has brought her performances to global stages, including the 79th Annual Academy Awards and the Vatican, where she performed in Leonard Bernstein's mass. In her keynotes, Rose shares her journey to stardom and encourages her audiences to aspire to greatness.