"Are we surprised": Internet erupts with memes as Disney cancels 'TIANA’ animated series right after Black History Month

Only a few days after the end of Black History Month, Disney formally cancelled the eagerly anticipated animated series, Tiana. It was thought that the series, which focused on Disney's first Black princess, would carry on Tiana's story following her adventure in The Princess and the Frog. Fans immediately logged in and took to flooding everyone's X timeline with commentary, memes, discourse, and, of course, a whole lot of hit tweets.

One Twitter user asked,

"Are we surprised?" under a post announcing the cancellation.

It’s safe to say that Disney’s decision didn’t sit well with many. Some fans pointed out the irony, while others lamented the loss of what could’ve been a game-changer for representation in animation.

---

Disney cancels 'Tiana' series, leaving fans disappointed and Twitter flooded with witty reactions

The internet, never one to hold back, erupted with a flurry of reactions after news of the cancellation hit. The timing? Questionable. The disappointment? Palpable. Here’s what fans had to say:

“They really chose to scrap the series right after Black History Month,” one tweet reads, accompanied by a meme of a man crying.

The sentiment was echoed across platforms, with many fans criticizing Disney for pulling the plug so soon after a month dedicated to celebrating Black culture and history.

"They’re still doing a Tiana-centered project, it’s just no longer going to be a series. You’re welcome."

While Disney has teased other Tiana-related content, this tweet underscored the lack of excitement. It's like offering a small consolation prize—fans were waiting for the full series, not just another “project.” Another user wasn't too thrilled with Disney's culinary choices, either:

"This is as much of an insult as the Disney Kale Gumbo recipe," referencing a notorious dish the company once tried to pass off as a New Orleans staple.

The sting of the cancellation seems to be hitting in all the wrong places. A major gripe for many was Tiana’s treatment in the original Princess and the Frog movie, where she spent most of her time as a frog rather than the strong, ambitious character audiences were hoping to see more of.

"First she was a frog half the movie and now no series," one fan quipped, bringing up the long-standing issue of underrepresentation.

As for those who felt personally victimized by Disney's timing, one person tweeted,

"oh i’m sure." with a gif of a woman glaring suspiciously.

The tone was clear—no one was buying Disney’s excuses. One of the more frustrated reactions came from a user who had clearly been weighing the decision to renew their Disney+ subscription:

"& to think I almost signed back up @DisneyPlus," they tweeted, suggesting the cancellation may have been a deal-breaker.

And finally, summing up the collective disillusionment was this tweet:

"Just like every software developer’s 1000th project," drawing a parallel between Disney's move and the countless abandoned projects in the tech world. Ouch.

---

The series that could have been

The 'Tiana' animated series was set to be a continuation of Tiana's life as she navigated her role as both a restaurant owner and a princess in New Orleans. With the charm and magic of the original film, plus the added layer of Tiana’s growth post-transformation, fans had high hopes for a deeper exploration of her character. However, according to the latest reports, the series will never see the light of day—leaving fans wondering what went wrong behind the scenes.

Disney has assured audiences that a Tiana-related project is still in the works, a special most likely, though it’s unclear if it will carry the same weight that a full series would have. While the company cited internal shifts in strategy as the reason for the show's cancellation, the lack of clarity has only really added to fans' frustration.

In recent years, Disney has faced increasing scrutiny over its handling of diversity and representation. From casting choices to storyline decisions, the entertainment giant’s efforts have been hit or miss. This latest move certainly isn't doing much to quiet those criticisms, especially with the timing being so close to Black History Month.

The cancellation of Tiana seems to fall into a broader pattern of Disney walking a fine line between wanting to highlight diverse stories and failing to commit fully to them. Whether this is another case of corporate reshuffling or something more concerning, fans are making their disappointment loud and clear.