Anika Noni Rose Wants To Be A Flying 'Twilight' Vampire

By Jenna Busch Posted Nov 20th 2009 01:00AM

Popeater just got back from the US Weekly Hot Hollywood red carpet, where we got to chat with the lovely Anika Noni Rose. Rose was being honored as the "Pioneer of the Year" for voicing the role of Tiana in Disney's 'The Princess and the Frog'. We know she can act. We certainly know she can sing. But did you know that Ms. Rose is a vampire fan? Along with her feelings about being part of the elite group of women who have voiced Disney princesses and how this movie can help New Orleans, the chanteuse told us she wants to be part of the next 'Twilight' film. Who knew?

So you have just joined a very elite group of women, the Disney princesses.

"Yes, I have!"

How does it feel to be part of that?

"I'm ecstatic. I'm ecstatic! You know, I don't think that...I just didn't realize how huge this whole machine was going to be. And when I was in the parks and I could see all those little girls running around in their Tiana dresses, from all different ethnic backgrounds, who were just in love with this princess, I was so moved by that. You know? Because they love her. And I loved making her. And it feels really good to be able to hand them this amazing young woman."

One of the things Disney has done is allow their female characters to evolve with the times and give them a strong voice. What is Tiana's voice? Her strength?

"Well, Tiana is the voice of reason. [laughs] She is a young woman who came from a very loving family. She has no sense of 'can't do'. So, although she is fighting the time she lives in and the nay sayers around, she is determined to follow her dream. She has wished on a star, but she also knows that all things worth having are acquired with hard work. I think that that is a wonderful message to send to children, because things don't come easily without a price. So she is pretty wonderful."

So this is a 2D film and a return to Disney's classic animation. Did you know this when you signed on? Did you know this wasn't going to be a huge 3D event?

"Yes, I did. I did, and I am so pleased about it. I think that when you talk about a fairy tale, you're talking about a lushness and a softness that you just don't get in 3D. And I think that digital work is fantastic for some stories. I mean, I loved 'The Incredibles'. I loved 'Monsters, Inc.' But when you talk about a fairy tale, you want that lush quality and those really beautiful saturated colors, and I think Disney does that like no one else."

So it's set in New Orleans, which really deserves more attention. Do you think this will bring people's focus back there and maybe encourage tourism?

"I think it will bring New Orleans some attention. Some positive attention, which they really need. But also, I'm hoping that it will infuse the people of New Orleans with a real sense of pride about the city that is theirs and all the things that have come from that city which are so amazing. It's such a city of innovation when you talk about music and architecture, and visual arts, even. It's a hot bed of innovation, so I hope that it's something that infuses them with pride, and helps them in the journey of rebuilding. Because their city was so beautiful. It looks like a fairy tale anyway. It lends itself to fairy tales, so that's what I hope."

What are you doing for the holidays this year?

"I'm working! [laughs] I'm working! 'Princess and the Frog.' I have Thanksgiving off and then I fly off the next day to do press. And I'm very happy about it. It's a very good thing. But it's going to be a very busy holiday season for me, in a very very good way."

So would you like to do more movie musicals?

"I would love to do more movie musicals. I would love to be, you know, a wild flying vampire in 'Twilight'. "

You want to be in the next Twilight?

"Are you kidding? I would love to be a flying vampire in 'Twilight!' In a minute! Are you joking? Hook me up to the wire! [laughs] I am ready! [shows her teeth in a vampire snarl] I love vampire stories, and I've read all those books and all the LA Banks books and all the Anne Rice books. I love it. "

What about True Blood?

"I didn't read 'True Blood'. And I think that I was tainted because the TV show came out first. I sort of wanted some air before I jumped into that one. But I'd love to do an action movie. I'd love to do a sweeping romance. I'd love to do some foreign films. I don't know what's going to happen next. "

'The Princess and the Frog' will be released on November 25th, 2009.

Tags: Anika Noni Rose, AnikaNoniRose, disney, The Princess and the Frog, ThePrincessAndTheFrog, twilight, US Weekly Hot Hollywood, UsWeeklyHotHollywood, vampire, vampires