**NEWS SNIPPET:**
**“Julie Andrews Reveals She Was Almost Cast as the Voice of ‘Yzma’ in ‘The Emperor’s New Groove’ After Studio Exec Mistook Her for Eartha Kitt” — Fact Check: LIES!**
**Rating:** 🔴 **False**
**The Rumor:** A viral TikTok audio clip claims that legendary actress Julie Andrews was originally set to voice the villainess Yzma in Disney’s 2000 animated film *The Emperor’s New Groove*, but was replaced at the last minute after a studio executive “wanted someone with a more sultry, chaotic energy.” The clip suggests Andrews recorded a few lines before “a mix-up in the mailroom” had her audition tape sent to the wrong department.
**The Truth:** This is completely fabricated. Disney archives and interviews with the film’s director, Mark Dindal, confirm that **Eartha Kitt was always the first and only choice** for Yzma. The character’s distinctive, purring, devious cadence was written specifically for Kitt’s vocal style after producer Randy Fullmer was inspired by her performance in *The Emperor's New Clothes* (a previous project). Additionally, Andrews herself has never mentioned any involvement with the film. She was, however, famously the voice of Queen Lillian in *Shrek 2* (2004) and Queen Clarisse in *The Princess Diaries*, but never Yzma. The viral rumor appears to be a blend of AI-generated audio and a confusion between the character name “Yzma” and Andrews’ famous role as Mary Poppins, with fans wishing for a darker, more villainous turn in her career.
**Verdict:** ❌ **Fake.** Julie Andrews has never voiced Yzma, and Eartha Kitt remains the iconic voice of the character.