Look, we’ve all seen the usual villain rankings. Ursula, Maleficent, Scar. They always make the list. But the real queen of Disney villainy? The one who brought flair, fashion, unhinged genius, and meme-worthy delivery?
✨ It’s Yzma. Every time. And I will not be accepting further questions.
Here’s why she reigns supreme and why you should probably be taking notes.
1. She Was Voiced by the Eartha Kitt
Let’s not overlook the real secret weapon behind Yzma: Eartha Kitt. A legend. A style icon. A voice so rich and theatrical it practically curled itself into a villain monologue. Eartha didn’t just play Yzma, she owned her.
Her line delivery? Pure gold. That purr laced sarcasm, the low growl of exasperation, the gleeful scheming? Nobody else could have done it. Yzma is hilarious, terrifying, and endlessly quotable because Eartha Kitt gave her soul. And glitter.
💡 Legacy Check: When your villain is voiced by a jazz goddess, you don’t just get a character, you get a cultural icon.
2. She’s the Original Fashion Villain Icon
Before Cruella went full runway in the reboot, Yzma was serving couture in every scene of The Emperor’s New Groove. Feathered collars, plunging gowns, waist-cinching silhouettes, purple palette perfection... and that headpiece? 10/10.
💡 Style Tip: If you’ve ever worn a sharp liner and felt unstoppable, you owe that energy to Yzma.
3. She Was the Blueprint for Meme Culture
“Pull the lever, Kronk!”
“WRONG LEVERRRR!”
“Is that my voice?”
Yzma might be single handedly responsible for half of Gen Z and Millennial humor. Her comedic timing, dramatic expressions, and ability to go from annoyed to unhinged in 2.5 seconds? Unmatched.
4. Her Evil Plan Was... Honestly Not That Bad
Sure, she wanted to get rid of Kuzco, but let’s be real, he was kind of awful. Yzma just wanted a shot at leadership. (Also... she was the royal advisor. If this were a corporate drama, she’d be the competent woman passed over by nepotism.)
💡 Villain Era Energy: She wasn’t evil. She was exhausted.
5. She Had Loyalty (and Vibes)
Despite all the chaos, Kronk genuinely liked her. And you know what? That means something. Behind every “I’m fine” Yzma moment is a tired woman who just wants results.
💡 Relatable much?
6. She’s a Villain for the Girls Who’ve Had Enough
Yzma is for the women who carry the team, do all the emotional labor, and still get blamed when the lever gets pulled wrong. She’s tired. She’s glamorous. She’s you at 4:45 PM on a Tuesday trying to get one thing done before dinner.
At The Most Delightful Way, we love a villain who’s a little extra, a little bitter, and absolutely unforgettable. Yzma reminds us that being misunderstood doesn’t make you wrong, it just makes you iconic.
Ready to embrace your inner chaos glam?
Shop subtle villain-inspired looks in our upcoming Villain Era Collection because dramatic eye rolls and embroidered quotes deserve their own moment.
And remember: if you feel like you’re one wrong lever away from a breakdown, you’re not alone. 💜