Fact Check: Is Zendaya In Talks To Play Tiana in Disney’s Live-Action Adaptation of 'The Princess and the Frog'?
29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. Fairmont Century Plaza, Los Angeles, California. Featuring: Zendaya Where: Los Angeles, California, United States When: 26 Feb 2023 Credit: BauerGriffin INSTARimages Copyright: xAXELLExWOUSSENx 52481262 EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR USE BY NEWSPAPERS BASED IN THE UK.
29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. Fairmont Century Plaza, Los Angeles, California. Featuring: Zendaya Where: Los Angeles, California, United States When: 26 Feb 2023 Credit: BauerGriffin INSTARimages Copyright: xAXELLExWOUSSENx 52481262 EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR USE BY NEWSPAPERS BASED IN THE UK.
Disney fans have been waiting for years to see Tiana return to the screen, and the beloved princess is finally heading toward a new chapter. First introduced in the 2009 animated classic The Princess and the Frog, Tiana became a landmark character for Disney and has remained a fan favorite long after the film's release.
Now that Disney is developing a live-action project centered on her, speculation over who could step into the role has naturally begun to spread online.
One recent claim, however, has sent fans looking toward Zendaya. But is she actually going to be Tiana?
Is Zendaya the new Tiana?
No. There is currently no credible evidence that Zendaya is in talks to play Tiana. The claim appears to have originated with Buzz Crave, a page known for parody and satirical posts rather than verified entertainment reporting. Similar celebrity rumors originating from the account have previously circulated online despite the page identifying itself as parody.
New York Premiere Of Universal Pictures The Odyssey MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, USA - JULY 14: Zendaya wearing Matieres Fecales Fall 2025 and Chopard jewelry, styled by Law Roach arrives at the New York Premiere Of Universal Pictures The Odyssey held at AMC Lincoln Square 13 on July 14, 2026 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. New York City AMC Lincoln Square 13 New York United States Copyright: xImagexPressxAgencyx
New York Premiere Of Universal Pictures The Odyssey MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, USA - JULY 14: Zendaya wearing Matieres Fecales Fall 2025 and Chopard jewelry, styled by Law Roach arrives at the New York Premiere Of Universal Pictures The Odyssey held at AMC Lincoln Square 13 on July 14, 2026 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. New York City AMC Lincoln Square 13 New York United States Copyright: xImagexPressxAgencyx
The casting stage has not even been reached publicly, so Buzz Crave's claim stands as false. The latest legitimate reporting says Disney's project is still in its early development phase, with Colman Domingo and Robert O'Hara in talks to co-write the film. No actor has been announced for Tiana.
So, while Zendaya may be an interesting fan-casting choice, the claim that she is currently in talks for the role should be treated as false.
What we know about Disney's The Princess and the Frog live-action
According to reports from TheWrap and Deadline, Disney is developing an original live-action film inspired by The Princess and the Frog, rather than a straightforward live-action remake of the 2009 animated movie. Colman Domingo is in early talks to write the screenplay alongside playwright and director Robert O'Hara.
THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, Princess Tiana (right, voice: Anika Noni Rose), 2009. Walt Disney Co. courtesy Everett Collection Walt Disney Co. Courtesy Everett Collection !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT! PUBLICATIONXNOTxINxCANxCHNxFRAxITAxJPNxNORxPOLxRUSxESPxUKxUSA Copyright: xWaltxDisneyxCo. CourtesyxEverettxCollectionx MCDPRAN EC145
THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, Princess Tiana (right, voice: Anika Noni Rose), 2009. Walt Disney Co. courtesy Everett Collection Walt Disney Co. Courtesy Everett Collection !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT! PUBLICATIONXNOTxINxCANxCHNxFRAxITAxJPNxNORxPOLxRUSxESPxUKxUSA Copyright: xWaltxDisneyxCo. CourtesyxEverettxCollectionx MCDPRAN EC145
The project is being described as a spin-off centered on Tiana, meaning it is expected to expand her story rather than simply recreate the animated film scene by scene. At this point, details about the plot remain under wraps, and it is unclear whether the film will retain the musical elements that made the original so memorable.
For now, then, the real news is that Tiana is getting another chance to shine in live action—but Zendaya is not attached to the project, at least based on any verified reporting available so far.
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Are you looking forward to the The Princess and the Frog inspired live-action? Let us know in the comments.
Edited By: Itti Mahajan
