“First of all, I think that I am very blessed because not every girl gets to have an opportunity in their lifetime like that,” said Elizabeth Dampier about landing the voiceover role of the young Tiana in the historic Disney animated movie, “The Princess and the Frog.”
The movie, which opened December 2009, was the first time that Disney has ever created an African American princess.
Many Mississippians were extremely proud to learn that 10-year-old Elizabeth of Madison had been chosen for the part. The St. Richard Catholic School fifth-grader described such an achievement as “a miraculous feeling.” “I felt like this could be the start of some of the greater things I want to do in life, and I was really, really excited,” she said.
She wants to do more commercials, television series and even bigger movies. She said Oprah Winfrey and Terrance Howard were in “The Princess and the Frog.” Although she did not work directly with them, “it was exciting to be in the same film with them,”
she said.
When asked what she wants readers to know about her experience in the movie, Elizabeth responded, “I want to say that I could not have done this without the Lord and my parents.” Her mother, Jeanna Dampier said she and her husband are encouraging
her to use this as a platform for the rest of her life to give back to her community and to serve as a role model for others. “Her father and I are very proud and truly blessed and honored that she earned the role,” said Jeanna Dampier.
Jeanna Dampier said they try to reiterate to their daughter the significance of this history-making achievement occurring in the same year the nation inaugurated its first African-American president.
No doubt, Elizabeth is already a role model; she has three younger siblings – a baby brother who is one; another brother, 6; and a sister, 7. Her sister and her oldest brother have done some acting. “I have to keep setting good examples for my brothers and sister,” she said.
She said the most exciting thing about the whole experience was going to the premier in Burbank, Calif. and hanging out with her mother and father, walking on the red carpet, doing interviews and going out to eat.
“My dad says, ‘don’t forget that you’re a human being and you’re no better than anyone else.’” she said. Acting is not the only talent Elizabeth has. “She can do just about anything
she puts her mind to,” St. Richard’s Public Relations for Development Di-
rector Tessy Sanli told The Mississippi Link.
Elizabeth is involved in basketball, and next year, she wants to participate in journalism. “I’m writing a book right now; it’s called “My Life as a Girly Girl,” she said. “I showed it to one of my friends and she won’t keep her hands off it.”
Her second career choice is to become a fashion designer. She said she is working on some designs now for a summer line. Her encouragement to other young children who aspire to make great achievements is “to never underestimate yourself and never give up on your dreams.”
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