Cosplayers Lera Himera and Helly Valentine have taken on Disney’s original villainous pair: the Evil Queen and Snow White from the 1937 classic. One channels icy elegance cloaked in a dark corset, while the other embodies innocence with a bright red bow. Together, their contrasting looks capture the timeless clash between good and evil instantly.
Snow White: Disney’s very first princess
Snow White debuted in Walt Disney Productions’ first full-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, released in 1937. The story follows the daughter of a king, turned servant in her own castle by an envious stepmother – the Evil Queen. When her Magic Mirror reveals Snow White as the fairest of all, the Queen orders a huntsman to kill her and bring back her heart as proof.
Snow White’s character is defined by her kindness, trustfulness, and genuine belief in the good within others – traits that ultimately lead to her downfall, as she opens the door to the disguised old hag bearing the poisoned apple, despite warnings from woodland creatures.
Grimhilde: Disney’s first iconic villain
The Evil Queen, known as Grimhilde in early comics and promos though never officially named by Disney in the film, is the studio’s first fully realized antagonist and remains one of its most instantly recognizable villains. Walt Disney himself described her as ”a mix between Lady Macbeth and the Big Bad Wolf-her beauty is sinister, mature, and sultry… she becomes hideous and menacing when scheming and mixing poisons.”
Grimhilde’s name traces back to Norse mythology, specifically a crafty queen from the Völsunga Saga. In Disney lore, she becomes queen by marrying a widowed king, who soon dies, leaving her in full control. She rules through fear, hinted at by the ominous skeletons lurking beneath her castle. Her magical powers come from a dark bargain, selling her soul to the evil spirits of the Harz Mountains in exchange for sorcery.
Her look became the template for Disney villains for decades: the towering collar, black cloak with hood, regal purple robes, and golden crown. Grimhilde directly influenced the design of Disney’s next major witch, Maleficent.
Disney’s live-action Snow White and its reception
In March 2025, Disney released a live-action Snow White starring Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. Despite the star power, the film flopped spectacularly, raking in $216 million against a $270 million budget. It faced harsh criticism for its script and Gadot’s portrayal.
The backlash revived interest in the original 1937 animated film, reminding audiences that some classics don’t need a modern overhaul. This resurgence underscores the lasting impact of Disney’s inaugural princess and villain. While live-action remakes continue to flood screens, the authentic charm and narrative power of the 1937 original remain unmatched. This poses challenges for reinterpretations trying to recapture its magic.
The bold cosplay by Lera Himera and Helly Valentine taps into this dynamic perfectly, blending nostalgia with fresh visual storytelling. Their portrayal invites fans to reconsider these iconic roles – not just as fairy tale figures, but as enduring symbols of good and evil in pop culture.