Disney Jr.’s Superkitties’ Justin Guarini discusses why this series resonates with children and voicing Cat Burgler. PLUS an exclusive clip from Superkitties season 2.
Justin Guarini voices Cat Burglar (as well as additional voices) in Disney Jr.’s Superkitties. This cat is often up to no good, however he steals things for the right reason, and always learns his lesson. SuperKitties follows four fierce and furry superhero kittens — Ginny, Sparks, Buddy and Bitsy — who are on a mission to make their town of Kittydale a more caring.
With plenty of super skills and gadgets at their disposal, the SuperKitties set off to thwart the villains’ plans and impart important messages of kindness, empathy, friendship, resilience and problem-solving along the way.
We spoke with Justin Guarini about how this Disney Jr. series draws in fans of all ages and how exciting it is to be the number one new Preschool series. He talks about how much fun it is to be living his dream by working with Disney, and even teases what Cat Burglar is getting up to in Superkitties season 2.
What Justin Guarini Loves About Cat Burglar & Superkitties
It is clear just in talking with Justin that his heart holds a special place for Superkitties. He goes back to his American Idol days, which was twenty-three years ago, and wants to make sure that his fans know he is able to do the things he does because of them.
Justin has three kids who great up watching Disney, just as he did, so all his agent had to do was mention Disney and he was in. However, he then read the description of Cat Burglar, which is a “little sneaky, slinky ninja-like character who is always getting into trouble and doing the wrong things for the right reasons.”
He admits he loves to play in auditions, and when coming up for the voice of Cat Burglar he decided to combine Eartha Kitt as Catwoman and a little kid, and the voice just came to him. Justin says that when you play, wonderful things happen.
I think it’s important, the earlier that we learn it’s okay to make mistakes, some of our greatest ideas, successes, lessons come from making mistakes. Cat Burglar makes them all the time but he always takes responsibility for it. He always is realizing he could have gotten what he wanted without stealing from somebody or doing the wrong thing.
Justin Guarini
One of the first episodes that Justin recorded showcases this exact lesson. Cat Burglar is going around town, stealing everyone’s yarn. In the end, we discover that the reason he was doing this is because he lost his childhood blanket that makes him feel safe and secure, and his plan was to knit a new one.
Why Superkitties Resonates With Fans Of All Ages
Children of all ages enjoy watching Superkitties, so there has to be something about it that resonates with them. Justin thinks part of it is that every single one of the characters embodies a trait that kids have – playful, adventurous, a little bit shy. Plus, everything in Kittydale is so fun, and funny.
Even when we’re in situations with dire circumstances, like with Puppy Paws, or the city’s being taken over, it doesn’t matter. Even throughout the struggle, there’s adventure, there’s fun, there’s always we can do it together.
Justin Guarini
Justin goes on to talk about how one of the biggest themes of Superkitties is that when we join forces, we can do anything. “If you fall down, I’m gonna pick you up.” It is nice for kids to see a place like Kittydale, where we can learn lessons like positive self image and connecting with one another, and picking up your friends when they fall down, and making mistakes but taking responsibility for it and learning. “It’s something that everybody can get a little bit of something out.”
This Is A Dream Job For Justin Guarini
Being on American Idol, then Broadway, then getting to play television characters like Lil Sweet, and now the dream of working with Disney. And then doing it on one of the number one shows. It’s just awesome. I still find surprises and new ways to do what it is that I love, which is entertaining people.
Justin Guarini
This is literally a dream job for Justin Guarini, working with Disney, because he grew up as a Disney kid. In the Superkitties Christmas special he even gets the chance to sing, which is something he loves to do (and is quite good at!). He says that Sword in the Stone is his favorite Disney films, but it has flown under the radar for most. What he loves so much about it is the music and how Arthur goes on a journey from a scrawny kid to the King Arthur we all know.
It was such a thrill for me to be able to not only get a voiceover animated gig working with Disney, but then to be able to sing on top of it. All the things that I grew up loving, and being glued to the TV watching on Disney, I get to do now, which is a dream come true. Literally.
Justin Guarini
Teasing Upcoming Superkitties Episodes
When asked what Justin can tease about upcoming Disney Jr.’s Superkitties season 2 episodes, he cannot say much, but he confesses how excited he is to continue to do voices and be a part of the series.
Justin admits that he will be singing again, which is very exciting for fans. He also says that Cat Burglar will definately steal some things. And he’s definately going to get caught. He’s also going to learn his lesson, but continue to steal things.
He’s not gonna disappoint. There is one super huge heist that he is going to pull off. I’ll tell you what I’m looking forward to, I’m putting this out into the universe. I am looking forward to more collaborations for Cat Burglar, because he did have one with his cousin, who is played by Anika Noni Rose. She’s a princess in real life and Disney.
Justin Guarini
Justin says that he really hopes for a good Cat Burglar and Puppy Paws collaboration to occur within the hilarious highjinks of Kittydale.
Superkitties Exclusive Clip
This exclusive clip of Disney Jr.’s Superkitties features a really catchy new “Su-purr Charged” song that will first appear in the upcoming episode “Bone Bandit/Cheesy Chase” (premiering June 14 on Disney Jr. and later this summer on Disney+).
Written by series’ songwriter Keith Harrison Dworkin, the song ties into the new “Su-Purr Charged” theme for season two and will become a new recurring song throughout additional episodes this season.
NEXT: Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation Red Carpet Interviews
About Superkitties
“SuperKitties” is an adorable and action-packed series about four fierce and furry superhero kittens — Ginny, Sparks, Buddy and Bitsy — who are on a mission to make their town of Kittydale a more caring and “pawesome” place.
With plenty of super skills and gadgets at their disposal, the SuperKitties set off to thwart the villains’ plans and impart important messages of kindness, empathy, friendship, resilience and problem-solving along the way.
Superkitties Season 2 is streaming on Disney+!
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.