The Wonderful World of Disney Villains

Kaytie Ohashi

What started as a graduate school capstone project has now expanded into a blog and a professional development workshop series for Washington State community colleges. Join me, Kaytie (Disney scholar, mom, and college academic adviser), as I talk about Disney princesses, representation in media, my relatability to and love for Disney villains, and more.

  1. 11/14/2022

    Aladdin on Broadway w/Special Guest Jonathan Freeman

    Hello everyone! Today’s episode is with special guest Jonathan Freeman aka the voice of Jafar from the 1992 animated Aladdin movie (as well as the Return of Jafar movie, Aladdin video games, etc.).  This is part 2 of 2 with Jonathan talking about the animated Aladdin movie (part 1) and the Aladdin Broadway musical (this episode!).  Follow Jonathan Freeman on Instagram @thejonathanfreeman Get your own personalized video from Jonathan on Cameo: https://www.cameo.com/jonathanfreeman    Time Stamps: 00:00 - 00:55 Intro 00:55 - 04:58 Most challenging part about playing Jafar on Broadway 04:58 - 13:47 The magic tricks in Aladdin Broadway musical History of creating the Aladdin Broadway musical 13:47 - 17:06 Advice on what to do when you lose your voice 17:06 - 27:47 Memorable broadway performance nights First night previews / opening night in New York Stage accidents Moments with Don Darryl Rivera (DDR) 27:47 - 34:49 Broadway princess party tour, Broadway party concerts and off Broadway productions 34:49 - 43:36 Jafar is a demanding character that requires Jonathan’s full attention 43:36 - 47:19 Plans for the future, reminiscing about broadway experience 47:19 - 51:54 Other fond memories with Don Darryl Rivera (DDR) while performing Aladdin on Broadway  51:54 - 01:03:50 Working collaboratively with Broadway creators, craftspeople, and professionals 01:03:50 - 01:09:52 Advice on pursuing acting Jonathan shares moments from his personal life 01:09:52 Ending End music: The Future Bass by Music_Unlimited from Pixabay   You can find the podcast online: Website: www.wonderfulworldofdisneyvillains.com  Instagram: @wwofdisvillains Kaytie’s Instagram: @disvillainsscholar

  2. 10/31/2022

    Halloween with Jonathan Freeman

    Happy Halloween! Today’s episode is with special guest Jonathan Freeman aka the voice of Jafar from the 1992 animated Aladdin movie (as well as the Return of Jafar movie, Aladdin video games, etc.). You are in for the ultimate fan service as Jonathan shares his experience being part of the creation of Aladdin. We also talk about Disney villains and how awesome they are, you may even hear Jafar say a few Disney villain quotes too.   Follow Jonathan Freeman on Instagram @thejonathanfreeman Get your own personalized video from Jonathan on Cameo: https://www.cameo.com/jonathanfreeman    Timestamps:  00:00 - 01:46 Intro 01:46 - 13:58 Disney villains being queer-coded & Jonathan’s attraction to Disney villains 13:58 - 28:17 Favorite or most unique Disney villain in Jonathan’s eyes / talking about Disney villain songs and appearances Behind-the-scenes animation and recording Aladdin 28:17 - 37:31 Jonathan’s Jafar mindset “Who’s Aladdin?” / Jafar’s happy ending 37:31 - 49:27 Most challenging part about playing Jafar Audition and callback for the Aladdin movie Experience recording lines for Aladdin Technical pieces (i.e. laughs, screams, etc.) 49:27 - 53:04 Reunions with cast members 53:04 - 56:42 Jafar’s first scene in Aladdin / cave of wonders scene 56:42 - 01:00:46 Vanity and queer coding / saying Disney villain quotes as Jafar 01:00:46 Ending Outro music credit: Let the Mystery Unfold by geoffharvey from Pixabay   You can find the podcast online: Website: www.wonderfulworldofdisneyvillains.com  Instagram: @wwofdisvillains Kaytie's Instagram: @disvillainsscholar

  3. 07/08/2022

    The Future of this Podcast

    As things are getting better in the world and everyone is going back to work it's time to face facts. I do not have the time to produce, edit, and publish episodes twice a month. Looking into the future, episodes will not be posted on a schedule but I hope you continue to stop and listen whenever an episode does make an appearance.   Take care and thank you for listening.

  4. 07/01/2022

    Adoption Representation in Film

    Welcome back!   I’m joined by guest Lauren, a fellow adoptee, to discuss adoption narratives and parent separation narratives in mainstream film/TV.   *This episode was recorded in 2021. There is a moment when events are mentioned, we are talking about events from Feb-Mar 2021, not 2022*   Follow Lauren and get her book, Inconvenient Daughter: Website: https://theljsharks.com/  Instagram: @theljsharks    You can find the podcast online: Website: www.wonderfulworldofdisneyvillains.com  Instagram: @wwofdisvillains   Timestamps: 01:14 - Movie Onward (having the agency to choose to meet vs not meet your biological parent) 05:14 - Adoption narratives in mainstream movies (i.e. the movie Elf, MCU character Loki, etc.) 07:45 - TV show Once Upon a Time (open adoption and co-parenting) 10:30 - Harry Potter (guardianship, adoption paperwork, etc.) 14:22 - Movie Instant Family (foster family narratives and instant family/forever family mindset) 19:55 - Musicals (Annie, Les Miserables, etc.) 21:50 - Secrets in adoption (secret affair/adoption narrative for drama in media) 26:12 - The Hunchback of Notre Dame 30:46 - Transracial adoption vs domestic adoption in TV shows (i.e. Modern Family, This is Us, Glee, the Flash, etc.) 40:26 - Trans-species adoption in Disney 42:40 - Using adoption/parent separation to move the plot forward instead of as the plot itself 46:57 - Ending   If you want to learn more about Lauren’s adoption story and my own adoption story listen to the Janchi Show podcast!  Lauren’s guest appearance on Episode 23 My guest appearance on Episode 28

  5. 11/12/2021

    Tangled and Lilo & Stitch Adoption Narratives

    Welcome back!   November is National Adoption month so we are talking about adoption narratives in Disney movies and TV shows (there are a lot, btw).   I’m joined by guest Lauren, a fellow adoptee, to discuss two Disney movie adoption narratives in depth: Lilo and Stitch and Tangled.   Follow Lauren and get her book, Inconvenient Daughter. Website: https://theljsharks.com/  Instagram: @theljsharks    You can find the podcast online: Website: www.wonderfulworldofdisneyvillains.com  Instagram: @wwofdisvillains   Time Stamps: 00:00 - Intro 02:37 - Lauren’s intro 03:07 - How do we identify adoption in Disney movies and TV for this conversation? 07:49 - Let’s talk about the movies Lilo and Stitch and Tangled 08:52 - Lilo and Stitch summary and Lauren’s reaction 19:55 - Discussion on the adoption and child protective services representation in the film 28:40 - Tangled summary and Lauren’s reaction 45:56 - Discussion on adoption, gas lighting, abusive relationships, Rapunzel’s lack of agency, and more 55:44 - Are movies like Tangled triggering to adoptees and domestic abuse/family abuse survivors? Only showing certain adoption tropes, family reunion scenes, no mourning for the parent who raised them - only the parent who gave birth to them 59:42 - Lion King 2 and Simba’s trauma 01:07:06 - How media influences society’s perception of adoptees. What would an authentic adoption story be like? What are things writers need to factor in to portray an accurate and authentic adoption story? If you want to learn more about Lauren’s adoption story and my own adoption story listen to the Janchi Show podcast!  Lauren’s guest appearance on Episode 23 My guest appearance on Episode 28

  6. 10/20/2021

    What‘s with all the Cinderella Movies?

    Welcome back!   Which version of Cinderella is your favorite? Do you think there are too many? Take a listen as I talk about the feminist and anti-feminist Cinderella stories as well as the new Amazon Studios Cinderella (even though it’s not Disney).   Visit the podcast at www.wonderfulworldofidisneyvillains.com or DM the podcast on Instagram @wwofdisvillains.  You can find me, Kaytie, on Instagram @disvillainsscholar.   Time Stamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:00 - Feminism 02:08 - Disney 1950 Cinderella summary 05:19 - Cinderella is an anti-feminist story Lisa Nasir After Ever After 2  09:05 - Cinderella is a feminist story Feminist vs feminine  Daily Titan 11:43 - Domestic and family abuse as it pertains to Cinderella’s story Women’s Aid Safe Steps 15:24 - Happiness vs optimism “The H-Spot: The Feminist Pursuit of Happiness” by Jill Filipovic Daily Titan The Mary Sue 19:04 - The Mary Sue - the male gaze  20:42 - Cinderella and her agency: does she have a lot of agency? The Mary Sue  24:31 - History of the story Cinderella Vox.com NPR article 26:13 - Why do we have so many Cinderella movies and stories? List of popular Cinderella movies Why people may love Cinderella stories Mary Sue Pop Crush 32:18 - Disney’s 2015 Cinderella Higher Education Podcast Guest Episode Positive movie reviews - mention of an empowered Cinderella Vox.com: the 2015 Cinderella is even more anti-feminist than the 1950 Cinderella The Mary Sue 42:24 - The Wonderful World of Disney Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1997 Cinderella Most racially diverse Cinderella cast Multi-racial families HuffPost.com: Cinderella’s feminist mindset Relationships between characters are more developed Fairy Godmother empowering Cinderella / empowered Cinderella HuffPost.com: dreaming vs doing mindset The crew behind the Disney Cinderella movies vs Whitney Houston and Debra Martin Chase dynamic duo 57:21 - Amazon Studios 2021 Cinderella Initial audience reviews (all 1 out of 5-star ratings) My initial reaction to watching the movie The Mary Sue: first Latina Cinderella and a “diverse” cast Metro.co.uk: marketing Amazon Studios Cinderella and Broadway Cinderella as “better” aka “less romantic” 01:15:21 - Ending

  7. 09/17/2021

    Disney & Women in STEM w/Naomi

    Welcome back for another episode! Today we’re talking about women in STEM… in Disney. In the past 10 years it all-of-a-sudden seemed to become cool to show female protagonists who love science. Big Hero 6 (2014), Wrinkle in Time (2018), Black Panther (2018), and more have all shown women who love science. Before that there was representation here or there but most of the time they were villains known as witches (Evil Queen, Ursula, etc.). Women in STEM are amazing and they’ve made significant contributions to society that often goes without recognition. Today I have a special guest, Naomi, who worked with the Walt Disney Company and helped create Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. You can find Naomi on the web at https://outsidemycubicle.com/linkinbio/ and on Instagram @naohms   Time Stamps: 00:11 - I have big news! 00:46 - Disney’s women in STEM history (mostly witches, mostly promoting women in STEM in a negative way). 01:57 - Where are all the positive women in STEM role models in Disney?? I sure didn’t grow up with any. 04:15 - Blog phdprincess.com - list of well known and lesser well known female Disney characters with passions in STEM. 04:30 - Tomsguide.com - Scully Effect: girls are more likely to pursue STEM careers when they see portrayals of women in STEM careers. 05:11 - Census Bureau report - 27% women in STEM careers, only 5% women of color. 06:16 - Disney’s recent growth in women in STEM character representation. Polygon.com - downside of Disney’s recent portrayal of women in STEM characters. 07:36 - Women’s Agenda - Disney princess films hinder girls from not only pursuing STEM careers but also believing they are smart and capable 08:51 - Women of color in STEM - Maryville University 09:54 - Guest introduction: Naomi. How Naomi started in engineering and construction. Dreams of being a Disney Imagineer. 14:10 - How Naomi got to work with Disney to build and design Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. 21:50 - Barriers to succeed in STEM as a woman of color. 27:24 - Naomi’s major job shift from construction to social media and her success as a social media influencer. 36:51 - Naomi’s Disney favorites (i.e. foods, characters, soundtracks, and more). 43:10 - Naomi’s advice for those who want to work in STEM, want to work with Disney, or change careers.   If you’re looking for new Disney podcasts to check out, why don’t you listen to A (Not So Brief) History of Disney World podcast? A (Not So Brief) History of Disney World podcast divulges all the secrets, history, and information about building the Disney World theme park and attractions. Please leave a rating, comment, DM on Instagram (@wwofdisvillains), or on the website (https://wonderfulworldofdisneyvillains.com/) and let me know what you thought of this episode! I am asking for any feedback, suggestions, and more to keep sharing content you all will love in a format that you find enjoyable. Do you like solo episodes or episodes with guests? Is there anything you’d like to hear an episode on in the future? Let me know! You can also find me, Kaytie, on Instagram @disvillainsscholar.

  8. 08/15/2021

    Is Cruella de Vil a Redeemable Character?

    Welcome back for another episode! This episode is all about the female villain we all love to hate, Cruella de Vil. We will be going through every adaptation of the character Cruella de Vil leading up to the new movie Cruella.    Have you witnessed every version of Cruella in this list? Which version of Cruella is your favorite? Let me know on the podcast’s Instagram page @wwofdisvillains or on the podcast’s website www.wonderfulworldofdisneyvillains.com.    Cruella de Vil anthem song Selena Gomez’s version of Cruella de Vil’s song   0:46 - Cruella de Vil fun facts 4:11 - Who is Cruella de Vil? 4:41 - The first time we met Cruella de Vil (1956) Cruella de Vil was married? Many many hints comparing Cruella to the devil 9:23 - Inspiration for the character Cruella de Vil 11:04 - Disney’s adaptation of the 101 Dalmatians story The first actress to play and voice Cruella de Vil 13:03 - Live action 101 Dalmatians movie  When Cruella as a feminist icon became a popular opinion Cruella’s relationships with men vs women Animal cruelty Fashion  20:56 - Similarities and differences between the live action and animated 101 Dalmatians movie 24:23 - Additional appearances in media 24:49 - 102 Dalmatians movie was essentially made to give us more Cruella de Vil 29:15 - Additional Cruella de Vil appearances 29:40 - Once Upon a Time TV show Cruella as a child Obtaining a magical ability Cruella’s obsession with murder Queens of Darkness friend group (Maleficent and Ursula) Death and afterlife One of the few villains on the show who doesn’t want to and is not redeemable 38:27 - Disney’s Descendants 39:50 - More 101 Dalmatian remakes! 40:16 - Disney’s Cruella movie Prequel to the live action 101 Dalmatians movie Cruella (named Estella) was born with poliosis, that’s why her hair is half black and half white Estella’s childhood - being labelled a “rebellious child” Channeling Estella and not Cruella The trauma Estella faces that sets up the rest of the movie Working for the Baroness Becoming Cruella Mental health representation The issue with adoption representation and secret birth stories in media Movie ending 01:12:43 - Episode ending

See All (17)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

What started as a graduate school capstone project has now expanded into a blog and a professional development workshop series for Washington State community colleges. Join me, Kaytie (Disney scholar, mom, and college academic adviser), as I talk about Disney princesses, representation in media, my relatability to and love for Disney villains, and more.

Information