Actresses Who Voiced Disney Princesses Reveal Their Unexpected Choice For Best Disney Villain

Disney Princesses are often celebrated for their enchanting voices, elegant gowns, and strong bonds with their friends. These beloved characters have captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with their charm and grace.

However, beneath the glitz and glamour, even the princesses have moments when they indulge in a bit of darker magic. The talented actresses who bring these princesses to life share this fascination with the other side of Disney.

In a recent revelation, the voices behind some of Disney’s most iconic princesses have shared their surprising preferences regarding the villains from Disney films. Actresses known for their roles as Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, and Tiana have disclosed their personal favorite Disney villains, shedding light on a different side of their Disney experience.

Ariel, the adventurous mermaid princess from "The Little Mermaid," is known for her curious and daring nature. Her voice actress, Jodi Benson, has often spoken about the joy of bringing Ariel’s world to life. Despite Ariel’s vibrant personality, Benson has deeply appreciated the complex and captivating villains in Disney’s lineup: "I adore Ursula; I want to play Ursula. I'm at that age now where I need to play Ursula."

Anika Noni Rose portrays Tiana, the hardworking and determined princess from "The Princess and the Frog." Rose’s portrayal of Tiana is both inspiring and relatable. Regarding villains, Rose has a particular appreciation for those whose evil schemes are as intricate as Tiana’s journey to achieve her dreams.

Like her colleague, she’s a big fan of Ursula’s character. “Well, first of all, I love Ursula. Her song ["Poor Unfortunate Souls"] is magnificent, as is the fact that she's singing about people and then she says, 'So what, who cares?' I love her,” shared Anika Noni Rose.

Choosing a favorite among the other princesses and main characters proved to be a bit tricky.

“I'm going to say Cinderella because that is Disney to me. I grew up with Cinderella. I was her. I was going to do what she did and just get out of the basement in Illinois cleaning because I was a janitor. That was my first job. So I really related to Cinderella scrubbing toilets,” said Jodi Benson.“For me, I went into the business because of Julie Andrews and Mary Poppins, the first movie I ever saw. I said, 'I am in love with that woman and I want to be her.'And then I got to spend a whole weekend hanging out with her at Disney World one weekend when she was on her own. That was a dream come true,” said Paige O'Hara, who voiced Belle from "Beauty and the Beast."And Linda Larkin, known for her role as Princess Jasmine in "Aladdin," chose a nostalgic option: “I might answer you differently on a different day, but Winnie-the-Pooh. That was my childhood favorite Disney character.”

The Allure of Villains

Dr. Jennifer Hart, a psychologist specializing in media influence, emphasizes that Disney villains often represent our shadow selves—the parts we suppress. According to her, understanding and embracing these darker traits can foster personal growth. This is echoed in her studies, which highlight how characters like Maleficent or Scar evoke fascination due to their complexity and depth.

These characters challenge the status quo, pushing protagonists to evolve. Hart suggests that audiences can reflect on their own lives by examining what traits resonate with them in these villains, leading to deeper self-understanding.

Paige O'Hara, Linda Larkin, Jodi Benson, and Anika Noni Rose in 2024.

Courtesy of Disney

Disney's "Create Your World" campaign encourages creativity and imagination in children. Through this campaign, Disney offers fun activities where children can draw, create characters, and even invent stories. The idea is to let kids use their imagination to build their worlds.

One cool part of this campaign is how it mixes Disney's classic storytelling with new technology. For example, kids can use unique apps to make their drawings come to life with augmented reality or join online challenges to share their creations with others.

The campaign also focuses on celebrating diversity, encouraging kids from all backgrounds to see themselves in the stories they create. This helps every child feel included and important, showing that their ideas and creativity matter.

Paige O'Hara, Linda Larkin, Jodi Benson, and Anika Noni Rose in 2024 with Moana, Sleeping Beauty, and Rapunzel.

Courtesy of Disney

The Disney Create Your World campaign showcases Disney's creative products and celebrates the lasting impact of its characters and stories. As World Princess Week nears, it encourages fans to explore their imaginations and experience Disney’s magic in new, exciting ways. This campaign is all about connecting with the enchanting world of Disney in fresh ways.

Actresses like Anika Noni Rose and Jodi Benson reveal that even Disney princesses are captivated by the charisma of villains. This intersection of light and dark in storytelling can teach valuable life lessons about resilience and transformation. For instance, Dr. Brené Brown, a leading researcher on vulnerability, notes that narratives involving struggle contribute to emotional growth.

By embracing both hero and villain traits in ourselves, we can cultivate authenticity and empathy. Brown encourages individuals to engage with these narratives to explore their own complexities, fostering a more holistic self-acceptance.

Therapeutic Insights & Recovery

In conclusion, the interplay between heroes and villains in Disney narratives offers profound insights into human psychology and personal development. Experts like Dr. Jennifer Hart and Dr. Brené Brown illustrate how these stories can help us explore our own shadows and vulnerabilities. By understanding these dynamics, audiences can engage more deeply with the narratives, transforming their experiences into opportunities for growth.

Ultimately, embracing both light and dark aspects of ourselves allows for greater emotional resilience and a richer understanding of our identities.