Disney Casts Sherri Shepherd As The First Woman To Play Aladdin’s Genie

Disney has confirmed that a woman will play the Genie from Aladdin for the first time in the franchise’s history.

Since Disney’s animated classic Aladdin debuted in 1992, the Genie has remained one of the company’s most recognizable and beloved characters. Robin Williams’ unforgettable voice performance helped make the character iconic, and audiences continue to be interested in the Genie’s story and eventual fate. As a result, Disney’s decision to cast a woman in the role marks a notable moment for the beloved character.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Disney has announced that Sherri Shepherd will portray the Genie during an upcoming run of the Broadway musical Aladdin. Her casting makes her the first woman to take on the role, as no woman has previously played the Genie either onscreen or in the musical’s 11 stage adaptations.

Shepherd’s Broadway run is scheduled to begin in October. Following the announcement, the actor shared her excitement about taking on the legendary role, describing the opportunity as something she is immensely excited about.

Shepherd is perhaps best known for her time as a co-host on The View, which airs on Disney-owned network ABC. She held the position from 2007 to 2014. However, her career extends well beyond television talk shows, with the actor taking on numerous roles throughout her career. One of her best-known performances came as Angie Jordan on 30 Rock. She has also appeared in shows including Less Than Perfect, Trial & Error, Man with a Plan, Kym, and K.C. Undercover, among others.

Although Robin Williams’ original performance remains the version of the Genie most closely associated with the character, several other performers have also stepped into the role over the years. Will Smith portrayed the Genie in Disney’s 2019 live-action adaptation of Aladdin, which received generally positive reviews. On Broadway, James Monroe Iglehart became another notable Genie after winning the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical for his performance in the stage production.

Smith could potentially return as the Genie if reports surrounding a possible live-action Aladdin sequel eventually become a reality. For now, however, attention will be focused on Shepherd and how Broadway audiences respond to her interpretation of the iconic character.

Shepherd’s history of playing larger-than-life personalities, particularly her memorable role on 30 Rock, suggests that she could bring plenty of energy and personality to the Genie. Her comments about the role also indicate that she understands the scale and expectations attached to the character. Even so, anyone taking on Aladdin’s Genie faces an enormous challenge given the lasting impact of Williams’ original performance.