Susan Egan’s Perfect Match with 'Jaded' Meg in Hercules

Drawing from Real Life

For Susan Egan, life seemingly set her up for her animated destiny. Her role as Megara in Disney’s Hercules came at a time when she had her share of rocky romances. As she joked to PEOPLE at the World Princess Week, her “series of bad boyfriends” was the ideal primer for capturing Meg’s sarcastic and jaded persona.

A Tale of Two Characters

Egan’s Disney résumé doesn’t stop at Meg—she’s also known for portraying the gentle Belle in Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. Reflecting on these contrasting characters, Egan shared how different they were: “Belle is so kindhearted and heroic, while Meg is jaded and sarcastic.”

Life Mirroring Art

When Hercules premiered, Egan’s circle remarked on how naturally the character mirrored Egan herself. “Belle was acting, Meg was where I lived,” she recounts. Reliving her past through Meg’s smart comebacks offered a cathartic outlet. As stated in People.com, Egan’s experiences provided an authentic richness to her portrayal.

A Surprising Musical Journey

Initially, Egan’s character was to sing a soaring ballad. However, as animators noted, Meg would never indulge in such a romantic gesture. Thus, “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)“—a song about denial—was born. Egan loved how the song’s narrative resonated with Meg’s cynical outlook, aligning perfectly with her anecdotal life lessons.

Celebrating Disney Princesses

During the World Princess Week, Egan cohosted events alongside other Disney royalty. The gathering brought together various Disney princesses, each performing a signature song—an homage to the timeless appeal of these beloved characters.

The Legacy Continues

Though she personified Meg, Egan was among many talents like Danny DeVito and James Woods, whose voices helped bring Hercules to life. Available on Disney+, the film remains a cherished classic, standing testament to Egan’s resonant performance—a role seamlessly bridging animation with reality.