Bette Midler: I don’t need ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ to burnish my gay icon status – Page Six
Bette Midler joked she doesn’t need “Hocus Pocus 2” to burnish her status as a gay icon.
“No!” she exclaimed to Page Six exclusively at the movie’s premiere in New York City on Tuesday. “This is worldwide, this is global, girl! Get a grip!”
The first “Hocus Pocus” movie came out in 1993 and centered on a trio of diabolical witches — played by Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy — who were awakened after being executed in the 17th century.
The film received mixed reviews and was not a box office success. But over the years, it developed a rabid fan base that kept calling for a sequel.
Midler seemed slightly gobsmacked on Tuesday that “Hocus Pocus 2” had finally been made, calling it “unbelievable.”
“We [Midler, Najimy and Parker] sort of asked about it, asked about it,” the “Beaches” star explained to us. “When we finally realized it had become something, we asked about it again.
“They sort of neglected us, and then finally they decided it was time. Thirty years, girl!” she crowed.
It was a family affair on the red carpet, with many stars bringing kids and spouses.
Midler, 76, Najimy, 65, and Parker, 57, posed with their respective husbands, Martin von Haselberg, Dan Finnerty and Matthew Broderick. The “Sex and the City” alum’s rarely seen 13-year-old twin daughters, Marion and Tabitha, also tagged along.
Other celebs at the packed premiere included Ralph Macchio with his daughter, Julia, as well as Kristin Chenoweth, Tony Hale and Sam Richardson.
Also there was “Girls” star Jemima Kirke, who snapped at a publicist for moving her and her two kids along the carpet.