Brandy, Anika Noni Rose and Halle Bailey create unforgettable Black Girl Magic moment at Disney Princess concert
TheGrio...
The trio of groundbreaking Disney princesses shared the stage during D23’s “Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration,” sending Black fans into celebration across social media.
Disney fans were treated to a royal reunion Thursday night, but for many Black viewers, one moment towered above the rest.
Brandy, Anika Noni Rose and Halle Bailey, three women whose performances helped redefine what it means to be a Disney princess, shared the stage during “Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration” at D23 Day at Disneyland Resort. The trio’s appearance quickly sparked an outpouring of excitement across social media, where fans celebrated what many called an unforgettable Black Girl Magic moment.
The concert brought together an all-star lineup of women who have voiced or portrayed Disney princesses over the years, including Jodi Benson (Ariel), Paige O’Hara (Belle), Lea Salonga (Jasmine and Mulan), Susan Egan (Megara), Auliʻi Cravalho (Moana), Catherine Laga’aia (the live-action “Moana”) and more. But it was the sight of Brandy, Rose and Bailey together that resonated deeply with many Black Disney fans.
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Brandy made history in 1997 when she became the first Black actress to portray Cinderella in Disney’s groundbreaking television adaptation alongside the late Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother. More than a decade later, Rose became Disney Animation’s first Black princess as the voice of Tiana in 2009’s “The Princess and the Frog.” Bailey ushered in a new generation in 2023, starring as Ariel in Disney’s live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid.”
Together, the three women represent nearly three decades of expanded representation for Black girls who grew up dreaming of seeing themselves in fairy tales.
That significance wasn’t lost on fans.
Social media quickly filled with posts calling the moment “Black Girl Magic,” with many pointing to the symbolic passing of the torch from Brandy to Rose to Bailey. Others reflected on what it meant to see three generations of Black Disney royalty celebrated on the same stage, praising Disney for recognizing the impact each woman has had on audiences who rarely saw themselves reflected in princess stories growing up.
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The celebration comes at a time when conversations around representation in fantasy continue to evolve. Brandy’s “Cinderella” broke barriers for a generation of millennials. Rose’s Tiana became an instant cultural touchstone despite years of calls for the character to receive more on-screen attention. Bailey, meanwhile, weathered racist backlash before “The Little Mermaid” debuted to critical acclaim and emotional reactions from young Black girls seeing a princess who looked like them.
Thursday night’s concert served as a reminder that those milestones are connected.
While “Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration” featured beloved princess performers from across generations, for many Black fans, seeing Brandy, Anika Noni Rose and Halle Bailey together wasn’t just nostalgic. It was a celebration of how far Disney’s princess legacy has come and the doors each woman helped open for the next. The special airs Aug. 16 on ABC and will also stream on Disney+.