There aren’t many places where asking a celebrity about their cartoon crush feels like a totally reasonable use of time, but at the Disney Upfronts in New York City on Tuesday, it somehow just worked. Maybe it’s the proximity to all things animated, or maybe it’s the fact that everyone immediately taps into their childhood without overthinking it.
The answers? Exactly as random and delightful as you’d hope. There were the expected picks — Jasmine, Ariel, Belle, Prince Eric — alongside a strong showing for Mulan (less “crush,” more “icon”). And then, of course, the wild cards: Goofy (twice!), Minnie Mouse and at least one hard opt-out from the entire concept.
If nothing else, it made for a fun red carpet question: quick, nostalgic and just weird enough to get people out of autopilot. (Even if it means admitting, on the record, that Tarzan “could really get it.”)
Bruno Tonioli (Dancing With the Stars)
“My crush actually is the evil witch, Maleficent. She’s misunderstood. And I love Angelina Jolie’s version as well.”