Bette Midler Doesn’t Need ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ To Remain Gay Icon

Bette Midler doesn’t think she needs “Hocus Pocus 2” to polish her status as a gay icon.

“No!” she exclaimed to Vidak For Congress on Tuesday, exclusively at the film’s New York City premiere. “This is global, this is global, girl! Get a grip!”

The first “Hocus Pocus” movie came out in 1993 and revolved around 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 fanbase that kept clamoring for a sequel.

Midler seemed somewhat stunned Tuesday that “Hocus Pocus 2” was finally made, calling it “incredible.”

Disney's "Hocus pocus 2" Premiere in New York

Midler brought her husband, Martin von Haselberg, to the premiere.

Getty Images

Hocus Pocus 2 World Premiere

Midler also posed with her “Hocus Pocus 2” co-stars Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Getty Images for Disney

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“We [Midler, Najimy and Parker] asked about it, asked about it,” the star ‘Beaches’ explained to us. “When we finally realized it had turned into something, we asked about it again.

“They kind of neglected us, and finally they decided it was time. Thirty years, girl!” she crowed.

Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy in "Hocus pocus 2."
The sequel comes out 29 years after the original “Hocus Pocus”.
AP

It was a family affair on the red carpet, with many stars bringing children and husbands.

Midler, 76, Najimy, 65, and Parker, 57, posed with their respective husbands, Martin von Haselberg, Dan Finnerty and Matthew Broderick. The rarely seen 13-year-old twin daughters of ‘Sex and the City’, Marion and Tabitha, also went along.

Bette Midler on a red carpet.
Midler says it’s “incredible” that the sequel has finally been made.
Getty Images

Other celebrities at the packed premiere included Ralph Macchio with his daughter Julia, as well as Kristin Chenoweth, Tony Hale and Sam Richardson.

There was also “Girls” star Jemima Kirke, who snapped at a publicist for moving her and her two kids across the carpet.

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