Kathy Najimy Was Worried She'd Offend Real Witches In Unearthed 'Hocus Pocus' Interview

The anticipated release of Hocus Pocus 2, Disney's sequel to the iconic 90s family classic Hocus Pocus has been delighting fans just in time for the 2022 witching hour.

The 1993 film centered on an accidentally-resurrected trio of witches called the Sanderson Sisters played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy.

Its cult success left fans clamoring for a sequel. 

The follow-up film is now streaming in households on Disney+ nearly 30 years after the original film. Those feeling nostalgic uncovered forgotten media clips from when the first Hocus Pocus film dazzled audiences.

One clip from a 1993 Today Show interview left fans spellbound and audiences were reminded of why they love actress Kathy Najimy–who played middle sister Mary Sanderson, the sister who had the ability to sniff out children.

In the interview, Katie Couric asked Najimy to clarify her initial concerns about taking on the role because she didn't want to "offend or stereotype real witches."

Najimy's response then was a powerful statement that still holds relevance today.

She confirmed:

"At the risk of having America roll their eyes, I just feel supportive of all groups."

"You know, whether they're women's groups or gay groups or racial groups. And I know there are groups of witches out there."

You can watch the interview in the TikTok clip below.

Najimy went on to elaborate the script was "really perpetuating a stereotype about an evil, ugly witch."

"And I know there are groups of really strong women who sort of bond together and are very spiritual and powerful."

"And I didn't want to be part of perpetuating that myth."

@theriveroaksredneck/TikTok

@theriveroaksredneck/TikTok

The actress said she opened up about her concerns and reached out to director Kenny Ortega, the film's producers and even feminist icon "Gloria Steinem about it ... because she's the goddess of the world and knows everything."

What the American feminist journalist and social political activist told Najimy was a revelation.

Najimy continued:

"The interesting thing was that originally, some of the women who were said to be witches were healthcare workers and midwives."

"So that's where the notion of baby eating came [from], because they would perform abortions sometimes."

"And so the women would go in pregnant and come out not, so that's the gossip about baby-eating which is of course untrue because these were healthcare workers."

People were blown away by her speaking so openly about the taboo topic of abortion on national television in 1993.

@theriveroaksredneck/TikTok

@theriveroaksredneck/TikTok

@theriveroaksredneck/TikTok

@theriveroaksredneck/TikTok

@theriveroaksredneck/TikTok

@theriveroaksredneck/TikTok

@theriveroaksredneck/TikTok

Najimy's statement still resonates today as many American healthcare workers assisting and caring for those seeking their services are being vilified in a post Roe v. Wade world.