Talk ’90s to me Disney Villains! – How queer baddies helped save Disney in the ’90s
Feb 2, 2026
Dan Foxx, comedian and co-creator of an Ursula musical, chats about queer-coded Disney villains of the 1990s. He dives into Ursula’s camp charisma and Jafar’s glamorous menace. They unpack Scar’s Shakespearean slyness and Hades’ wisecracking swagger. Short, lively takes on why these flamboyant baddies outshone the beige heroes.
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Villains Redefined The Disney Renaissance
- Disney's 90s renaissance shifted tone by giving villains flamboyant, outsider traits that heroes lacked.
- That queer-coded camp made villains more memorable and culturally enduring.
Ursula As Queer Prototype
- Dan Foxx and Miranda credit Ursula as the prototype that set up 90s Disney style and queer coding.
- They note Ursula was inspired by Divine and imagined as a commanding, glamorous, queer-coded businesswoman.
Genie Contract Trouble With Robin Williams
- Robin Williams voiced the Genie for a modest flat fee and restricted use of his image, leading to studio disputes.
- Disney later tried to placate Williams with a Picasso after breaching agreed marketing limits.
