Why Broadway’s Genie decided to stop going to Disneyland
In a new podcast, Disney on Broadway’s James Iglehart revealed why he and his wife stopped going to Disneyland. The Genie actor appeared on “Uncool with Alexa Bliss”, a show where celebrities discuss their childhoods.
We had gotten to the point where we were walking down Main Street, and we saw a family, just walking around lost, absolutely lost. And they said ‘we’re looking for Adventureland.’ And my wife and I said, ‘oh, you’re fine, you’re just going to go up Main Street, and take a left. And not the first left, but the second left.’ And we were like, ‘we’ve been here too long, as we’re now giving directions better than the people who work here.’
Iglehart and Bliss agreed that they both find themselves doing “the Disney point” when they’re at the parks.
Bliss revealed her childhood desire to perform as Tinkerbell at the parks. “I wanted to highwire from the castle so bad, that’s what I wanted to do after college. I’m going to be Tinkerbell. So when I tried out for WWE, I went into the audition and there is a panel of people, and the first question they’re asking me is ‘why do you want to be WWE?’ And they told us just before going in ‘say something memorable, make sure you’re noticed,’ whatever. I was actually ‘I just want to be Tinkerbell at Disney, and I’m hoping WWE gets my foot in the door.’ Everyone looked up, and I went ‘I’m totally kidding’ but it got their attention.
The episode debuted yesterday, as part of a weekly podcast produced by WWE. The official show description reads:
Awkward first dates. Fashion faux pas. Badly timed bodily functions. We all have those embarrassing stories – even celebrities and WWE Superstars. On Uncool, Alexa Bliss and her guests dish on their most cringeworthy moments from before the fame and success. So dust off your Furby, open up your Trapper Keeper and get ready for a nostalgic celebration of all things UNCOOL. Follow Alexa Bliss on Instagram @alexa_bliss_wwe_ and join the conversation using #UncoolWithAlexa.
The program is available on Apple Podcasts and on Spotify.
https://t.co/bWXjPktiuX check it out !!!! pic.twitter.com/P9AbufLYbT
— Lexi Kaufman (@AlexaBliss_WWE) September 29, 2020
The love-and-adventure story of a street urchin, the princess he falls in love with and the genie who grants wishes was as special for them as it was for fans, they said. All have since gone on to other things, but many remain friends and remember Aladdin as groundbreaking for Disneyland Resort, being the first Broadway-caliber show at the park.