Known for constantly rotating the same half dozen stars on their covers – typically Gabrielle Union, Mary J. Blige, Nia Long, Tyler Perry, Beyonce and Mo'Nique – Essence magazine has shaken things up by showcasing the Tony Award-winning actress behind Disney's first Black princess, Anika Noni Rose.

In the cover feature, the star of the 'Princess and the Frog' dialogued with Hollywood moms like actress Nikki Micheaux ('Lincoln Heights') and her daughter, in addition to a rising Tinseltown star Amber Riley ('Glee') about the enduring need for positive images of Black female in the media.

"What I really hope is we get to a point where Black characters in mainstream roles is not something we think about; where we're just watching the movie and there we are, next to Jasmine, next to Rosita, next to so many other people, being together, being American. This is an American story and America has never been one thing," Rose said during the dialogue, which was moderated by writer Regina R. Robertson.

Rose, who also starred in the feature film 'Dreamgirls' and on the HBO series 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency,' confessed during the conversation that when she first landed the role as Princess Tiana she didn't understand the significance of it.

"I feel fantastic. I've always wanted to do a Disney voice, so when I auditioned, I just wanted to get the job. I didn't realize what a big deal it was going to be," she explained. "I'm thrilled that for my 4-year-old nephew, this is his first princess. This is his first President. My grandmother is here to see this. I've had children of all different colors walk up to me, just so excited. I actually saw a picture of a little White girl. She had to be about 2 or 3, and she had strawberry blond hair, but I couldn't even see her face because she was hugging this cutout of Princess Tiana so hard. It was fantastic to see. I am so honored and so proud and so excited about what this means beyond me, down the line. This character is being offered up as something to love, not something 'different.'"

The January 2010 issue of Essence is on newsstands now.

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