A new Disney princess

It is a first for Jackson -- she's never been a princess before -- and a first for Disney: There's never been an African-American Disney princess before.

Jackson has skated in previous Disney productions (she was Taylor McKessie in the skating version of "High School Musical") and was overall bronze medalist at the 2006 National Showcase, a United Skates Figure Skating Association theatrical skating competition.

She says the first time she was ever on the ice, at age 5, she talked her parents into letting her try out skates at the rink at Universal CityWalk. She took to it like a swan to water, and news cameras, filming winter-themed features, put her on television that night.

Apparently the camera-ready skater is also made for this new role.

"She was just a natural with it," performance director Patty Vincent said. "It's not just about wearing the dress and the crown: She knew how to capture Tiana."

Not only does Jackson exude a royal (but friendly) demeanor, this Los Angeles native also handles ably the technical demands of the role, including the double axels she has to nail day after day.  "It's grueling," Vincent said.

Jackson, 20, took a moment to answer a few questions before her Atlanta performances:

Q. How did you feel about being Disney's first African-American princess?

A. I’m honored. I was so nervous at first, I just wanted to do a good job. . . . I’m so happy that there’s an African-American  princess coming out,  and I think it’s great and I think it's time. And it's needed. I'm having so much fun playing the character, playing the role. Her personality is so much fun, I get to incorporate my personality in it.

Q. What is Tiana like?

A. She’s a very strong woman who works for what she wants, and she works hard for it, too. She doesn’t need anyone to help her.