Princess Protection Program
Encyclopedia
Princess Protection Program (a.k.a. Princess Protection Programme in the UK
) is a 2009 Disney Channel Original Movie that premiered on June 26, 2009 in the United States and winner of the Teen Choice Awards
2009 for Choice Summer TV Show. The film is directed by Allison Liddi-Brown
, filmed in Puerto Rico, written by Annie DeYoung, and stars Demi Lovato
and Selena Gomez
.
) is about to be crowned queen of the small nation of Costa Luna. General Kane (Johnny Ray Rodriguez
), the dictator of neighbouring country Costa Estrella, infiltrates her palace with his agents during her coronation rehearsal, and attempts to capture the royal family and take over the country. Joe Mason (Tom Verica
), an agent of the Princess
Protection Program, a secret organization funded by royal families that looks after endangered princesses, whisks her away to safety via helicopter
. Kane’s agents however succeed in capturing her mother, Queen Sophia.
The Princess Protection Program hides Rosalinda in Mr. Mason’s home in Louisiana
, where she is to pretend to be a typical American
teenager named Rosie Gonzalez. She meets Mr. Mason's daughter, Carter Mason (Selena Gomez
), an insecure tomboy who works at the family bait
shop and dreams of going to the homecoming
dance
with her crush, Donny (Robert Adamson
). Though Carter initially treats Rosie with annoyance and barely-masked hostility, she warms up to her after Rosie explains her situation, and the two become close friends. Carter teaches Rosalinda to act like a normal girl and Rosie shows Carter how to disarm those that scorn them by behaving as a princess. Rosie soon becomes popular at their high school
.
In an attempt to trick Rosalinda into exposing her location, General Kane announces plans to forcibly marry Rosalinda’s mother. Rosalinda is distraught and tells Carter that she has decided to secretly return home. Knowing Costa Luna is still too dangerous, Carter secretly devises a plan to pose as Rosalinda and then use herself as bait to lure Kane into capture. Mr. Elegante, Rosalinda's royal dress
maker, tells Kane that Rosalinda will be attending the homecoming dance and will be wearing a blue dress that he actually sends to Carter. In the meantime, Rosalinda agrees to help Carter behave like a princess by helping a group of girls dress up for the dance; The girls all wear masks, which helps Carter disguise herself as Rosalinda.
According to plan, Kane and his agents mistake Carter for Rosie and lead her to Kane's helicopter the night of the dance. However, Rosalinda narrowly discovers and ruins the plan by exposing herself to Kane, insisting that this is not Carter's fight. Fortunately, agents of the Princess Protection Program, including Mr. Mason, have been waiting inside the helicopter and rescue both girls. The PPP agents quickly apprehend Kane and his henchmen and turn them over to the international authorities.
At the end, Carter realizes what "a jerk" Donny is and goes to the dance with Ed, her best friend who has had a crush on her for a long time. Rosie is crowned Queen of Costa Luna with Carter, Mr. Mason, Ed, Rosalinda's mother, and Mr. Elegante in attendance while the song "Two Worlds Collide" plays.
called "The Girl Can't Help It." Both songs are featured on the Disney compilation album, Disney Channel Playlist
, which was released on June 9, 2009.
The film also includes Lovato's song "Two Worlds Collide", which was first featured on her debut album Don't Forget
. Disney Channel
promoted the movie's premiere weekend by offering never-before-seen episodes of their original series' Wizards of Waverly Place
and Sonny With a Chance
as an online reward if viewers can correctly count the number of times the words "princess," "princesses," and "princesa" are spoken during the movie and enter the correct number, 86, into a section on their website.
The DVD was released on June 30, 2009 in the US. It also features the music video for Gomez & Lovato's duet "One and the Same" and a behind-the-scenes look at the movie. The DVD was released on June 18, 2009 in Germany and four days later in the UK.
she praises writer Annie DeYoung for providing young girls a nice message about self-esteem. She says the film should be a hit with the channel's target audience.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
) is a 2009 Disney Channel Original Movie that premiered on June 26, 2009 in the United States and winner of the Teen Choice Awards
Teen Choice Awards
The Teen Choice Awards, are an annual awards show that air on the Fox cable channel, that honor the year's biggest biggest achievements in music, movies, sports, television, fashion and more, voted by teen viewers aged 14 through 17. Winners receive an authentic full size surfboard designed with...
2009 for Choice Summer TV Show. The film is directed by Allison Liddi-Brown
Allison Liddi-Brown
Allison Liddi-Brown is an American television director.Brown made her directorial debut on first season of the Nickelodeon series, The Secret World of Alex Mack...
, filmed in Puerto Rico, written by Annie DeYoung, and stars Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato
"She’s got the range, the full emotional spectrum, incredible control… Vocally, she’s the best thing Disney’s had since Christina Aguilera."—Producer Toby Gad on Demi Lovato's vocals...
and Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez
Selena Marie Gomez is an American actress and singer best known for portraying Alex Russo in the Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel television series Wizards of Waverly Place...
.
Plot
Princess Rosalinda Maria Montoya Fiore (Demi LovatoDemi Lovato
"She’s got the range, the full emotional spectrum, incredible control… Vocally, she’s the best thing Disney’s had since Christina Aguilera."—Producer Toby Gad on Demi Lovato's vocals...
) is about to be crowned queen of the small nation of Costa Luna. General Kane (Johnny Ray Rodriguez
Johnny Ray Rodriguez
Johnny Ray Rodríguez is a Puerto Rican American actor.-Filmography:-External links:* on the Internet Movie Database* on Facebook* on MySpace...
), the dictator of neighbouring country Costa Estrella, infiltrates her palace with his agents during her coronation rehearsal, and attempts to capture the royal family and take over the country. Joe Mason (Tom Verica
Tom Verica
Tom Verica is an American actor and director, known for his role of Jack Pryor on the NBC drama American Dreams. He played Astronaut Dick Gordon in the HBO miniseries From The Earth To The Moon...
), an agent of the Princess
Princess
Princess is the feminine form of prince . Most often, the term has been used for the consort of a prince, or his daughters....
Protection Program, a secret organization funded by royal families that looks after endangered princesses, whisks her away to safety via helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
. Kane’s agents however succeed in capturing her mother, Queen Sophia.
The Princess Protection Program hides Rosalinda in Mr. Mason’s home in Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, where she is to pretend to be a typical American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
teenager named Rosie Gonzalez. She meets Mr. Mason's daughter, Carter Mason (Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez
Selena Marie Gomez is an American actress and singer best known for portraying Alex Russo in the Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel television series Wizards of Waverly Place...
), an insecure tomboy who works at the family bait
Bait
Bait may refer to:* Bait , bait as a luring substance* Bait and switch, a form of fraud* Bait car, vehicle rigged by the police to catch auto thieves* Dog-baiting, using dogs to worry or torment a chained or confined animal...
shop and dreams of going to the homecoming
Homecoming
Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school. It most commonly refers to a tradition in many universities, colleges and high schools in North America...
dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
with her crush, Donny (Robert Adamson
Robert Adamson (actor)
Robert Gillespie Adamson IV is an American actor. He's best known for his role as Charles Antoni on the television series Lincoln Heights.-Personal life:...
). Though Carter initially treats Rosie with annoyance and barely-masked hostility, she warms up to her after Rosie explains her situation, and the two become close friends. Carter teaches Rosalinda to act like a normal girl and Rosie shows Carter how to disarm those that scorn them by behaving as a princess. Rosie soon becomes popular at their high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
.
In an attempt to trick Rosalinda into exposing her location, General Kane announces plans to forcibly marry Rosalinda’s mother. Rosalinda is distraught and tells Carter that she has decided to secretly return home. Knowing Costa Luna is still too dangerous, Carter secretly devises a plan to pose as Rosalinda and then use herself as bait to lure Kane into capture. Mr. Elegante, Rosalinda's royal dress
Dress
A dress is a garment consisting of a skirt with an attached bodice or with a matching bodice giving the effect of a one-piece garment.Dress may also refer to:*Clothing in general*Costume, fancy dress...
maker, tells Kane that Rosalinda will be attending the homecoming dance and will be wearing a blue dress that he actually sends to Carter. In the meantime, Rosalinda agrees to help Carter behave like a princess by helping a group of girls dress up for the dance; The girls all wear masks, which helps Carter disguise herself as Rosalinda.
According to plan, Kane and his agents mistake Carter for Rosie and lead her to Kane's helicopter the night of the dance. However, Rosalinda narrowly discovers and ruins the plan by exposing herself to Kane, insisting that this is not Carter's fight. Fortunately, agents of the Princess Protection Program, including Mr. Mason, have been waiting inside the helicopter and rescue both girls. The PPP agents quickly apprehend Kane and his henchmen and turn them over to the international authorities.
At the end, Carter realizes what "a jerk" Donny is and goes to the dance with Ed, her best friend who has had a crush on her for a long time. Rosie is crowned Queen of Costa Luna with Carter, Mr. Mason, Ed, Rosalinda's mother, and Mr. Elegante in attendance while the song "Two Worlds Collide" plays.
Cast
- Demi LovatoDemi Lovato"She’s got the range, the full emotional spectrum, incredible control… Vocally, she’s the best thing Disney’s had since Christina Aguilera."—Producer Toby Gad on Demi Lovato's vocals...
as Princess Rosalinda Maria Montoya Fioré/Rosie Gonzalez, a young princess who is heir to Costa Luna's throne. When she arrives to LouisianaLouisianaLouisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, she has trouble fitting in. At the end of the film, she is crowned queen. - Selena GomezSelena GomezSelena Marie Gomez is an American actress and singer best known for portraying Alex Russo in the Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel television series Wizards of Waverly Place...
as Carter Mason,a tomboyTomboyA tomboy is a girl who exhibits characteristics or behaviors considered typical of the gender role of a boy, including the wearing of typically masculine-oriented clothes and engaging in games and activities that are often physical in nature, and which are considered in many cultures to be the...
and daughter of Major Joe Mason who has a crush on Donny. She teaches Rosie how to be a normal girl from IowaIowaIowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. - Carrie A. McSoda as Milly
- Tom VericaTom VericaTom Verica is an American actor and director, known for his role of Jack Pryor on the NBC drama American Dreams. He played Astronaut Dick Gordon in the HBO miniseries From The Earth To The Moon...
as Major Joe Mason , works for the Princess Protection Program. - Sully DiazSully DiazSully Diaz is an American actress and singer born to Christian, Puerto Rican parents. Sully's career started in Puerto Rican television with her first starring role as Coralito in the "novela" called "Coralito"...
as Queen Sophia Fioré, the mother of Rosalinda and Queen of Costa Luna. - Johnny Ray RodriguezJohnny Ray RodriguezJohnny Ray Rodríguez is a Puerto Rican American actor.-Filmography:-External links:* on the Internet Movie Database* on Facebook* on MySpace...
as General Magnus Kane. The General and king from Costa Estella who is obsessed with gain control of Costa Luna. He even goes as far as trying to kidnap Rosalinda. - Jamie ChungJamie ChungJamie Jilynn Chung is an American actress known to reality television audiences as a cast member on the MTV reality television series, The Real World: San Diego and its spin-off show, Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Inferno II, and for her appearances in TV and films, such as I Now...
as Chelsea Barnes who is obsessed with being homecoming queen, even going as far as threatening to expose Rosie, jumping into a pool, texting people to not vote for Rosie, humiliate her, and more horrible things. - Nicholas BraunNicholas BraunNicholas Joseph "Nick" Braun is an American actor.-Life and career:Braun was born in Bethpage, New York, the son of Elizabeth Lyle and actor Craig Braun...
as Edwin aka Ed, who is Carter's dorky friend. He has a crush on Carter. - Robert AdamsonRobert Adamson (actor)Robert Gillespie Adamson IV is an American actor. He's best known for his role as Charles Antoni on the television series Lincoln Heights.-Personal life:...
as Donny, Carter's temporary crush since the third grade. Carter stops liking him after she realizes what a huge jerk he is. Before prom, he couldn't even remember her name and she repeatedly reminded him. He has a small crush on Rosie, but only for her beauty. - Samantha DrokeSamantha DrokeSamantha Raye Droke is an American actress. She is famous for her role in the show Poor Paul as Bonnie. Droke also had a supporting role in Princess Protection Program. She films a webshow with her friend and fellow actress, Bailee Madison.-Life and career:Droke was born in De Leon, Texas...
as Brooke Angels is Chelsea's dim-witted sidekick. - Kevin G. Schmidt as Bull is the friend of Donny, Chelsea, and Brooke.
- Talia Rothenberg as Margaret
- Molly HaganMolly Hagan-Youth:Hagan was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of Mary Elizabeth and John Robert Hagan. She was raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana.-Career:She featured in the series Herman's Head which ran on Fox from 1991 to 1994...
as The Director - Dale DickeyDale DickeyDale Dickey is an American actress best known for her recurring role as Patty on My Name is Earl and for her supporting roles in films such as Domino and Winter's Bone....
as Helen Digenerstet - Ricardo AlvarezRicardo AlvarezRicardo Alvarez is a Latino inmate on the HBO drama Oz, played by Tomas Milian.-Character overview:Prisoner 43A515. Convicted March 3, 1943 - Armed robbery. Sentence: 20 years. Convicted again June 6, 1961 - Murder in the first degree...
as Mr. Elegante, Costa Luna's royal designer who helps arrest General Kane. - Brian Tester as Principal Burkle. He is the principal of the school Carter goes to.
Promotion
The film introduced two new songs: a duet recorded by Gomez and Lovato called "One And The Same" and a song recorded by Mitchel MussoMitchel Musso
Mitchel Tate Musso is an American actor, singer-songwriter and musician. Musso is best known for his three Disney Channel roles as Oliver Oken in the Disney Channel sitcom, Hannah Montana, Jeremy Johnson in the Disney Channel animated series Phineas and Ferb and his role as King Brady in the...
called "The Girl Can't Help It." Both songs are featured on the Disney compilation album, Disney Channel Playlist
Disney Channel Playlist
Disney Channel Playlist is a compilation album of music used in Disney Channel Original Series as well as Disney Channel Original Movies. It was released on June 9, 2009.-Tracklisting:...
, which was released on June 9, 2009.
The film also includes Lovato's song "Two Worlds Collide", which was first featured on her debut album Don't Forget
Don't Forget
Don't Forget is the debut studio album by American singer–songwriter Demi Lovato. The album was released on September 23, 2008 by Hollywood Records. Lovato co-wrote most of the songs with American boy band Jonas Brothers, who also co-produced several songs with John Fields...
. Disney Channel
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
promoted the movie's premiere weekend by offering never-before-seen episodes of their original series' Wizards of Waverly Place
Wizards of Waverly Place
Wizards of Waverly Place is a Disney Channel Original Series that premiered on October 12, 2007. It won "Outstanding Children's Program" at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards in 2009...
and Sonny With a Chance
Sonny With a Chance
Sonny with a Chance is an American children's sitcom which aired on Disney Channel, created by Steve Marmel, that follows the experiences of teenager Sonny Munroe, portrayed by Demi Lovato, who becomes the newest accepted cast member of her favorite live comedy show, So Random!.The series debuted...
as an online reward if viewers can correctly count the number of times the words "princess," "princesses," and "princesa" are spoken during the movie and enter the correct number, 86, into a section on their website.
The DVD was released on June 30, 2009 in the US. It also features the music video for Gomez & Lovato's duet "One and the Same" and a behind-the-scenes look at the movie. The DVD was released on June 18, 2009 in Germany and four days later in the UK.
Reception
Laura Fries of Variety magazine describes the film as being "light as a summer breeze on the Louisiana bayou". Although the film does not stray far from the Disney formula,she praises writer Annie DeYoung for providing young girls a nice message about self-esteem. She says the film should be a hit with the channel's target audience.
Ratings
The premiere was watched by 8.5 million viewers, making Disney Channel TV the most-watched network in the time slot, with nearly double the viewers of CBS at that time.Awards
| Year | Ceremony | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Teen Choice Awards Teen Choice Awards The Teen Choice Awards, are an annual awards show that air on the Fox cable channel, that honor the year's biggest biggest achievements in music, movies, sports, television, fashion and more, voted by teen viewers aged 14 through 17. Winners receive an authentic full size surfboard designed with... |
Choice Summer TV Show | |
| Choice Summer TV Star - Female: Selena Gomez | |||
| Choice Summer TV Star - Female: Demi Lovato | |||
| 2010 | Directors Guild of America Directors Guild of America Directors Guild of America is an entertainment labor union which represents the interests of film and television directors in the United States motion picture industry... |
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Children's Program – Allison Liddi-Brown | |
| Young Artist Award Young Artist Award The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist... |
Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries, or Special – Leading Young Actress:Selena Gomez | ||
| Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries, or Special – Leading Young Actress:Demi Lovato |