Anika Noni Rose, born on September 6, 1972, in Bloomfield, Connecticut, is an accomplished American actress and singer. She is best known for voicing Tiana, Disney's first African-American princess, in the animated film "The Princess and the Frog" (2009).

Her journey in the entertainment industry began with a bachelor's degree in theatre from Florida A&M University and further studies at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.

Her career took off when she moved to New York without a job and landed a role in Broadway's "Footloose" after just three months. Her breakout moment came in 2004 when she starred as Emmie Thibodeaux in the Broadway production of "Caroline, or Change," earning her a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

She continued to shine on stage with performances in "A Raisin in the Sun" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," among others.

In film, Anika Noni Rose is celebrated for her role as Lorrell Robinson in the Academy Award-winning movie "Dreamgirls" (2006), where her contribution to the soundtrack earned her a Grammy Award nomination. She has also appeared in films like "Assassination Nation," "Everything, Everything," and "Half of a Yellow Sun."

Her television credits include starring roles in "The Quad," "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency," and "Stephen King's Bag of Bones," showcasing her versatility as an actress. Her personal life is equally fulfilling, as she married actor Jason Dirden in 2022.