Last week, Disney released a short video giving fans a sneak peek at the process of transforming actress Melissa McCarthy into the iconic sea witch we all know and love.
However, the clip left many drag fans unhappy as viewers quickly jumped to social media to share their disdain for the completed makeup look shown in the behind the scenes video from Entertainment Access.
Viewers were quite clear in their disappointment and many even pointed out that the makeup should have been done by a true drag queen to help honor the character’s original concept.
This is… awful… why didn’t they just hire a drag queen ? https://t.co/UGlRaDhBFi
— Pixie Polite (@PolitePixie) May 17, 2023
When you lie on your resume and end up with the job. https://t.co/wzbLiJxq7t
— Art Simone (@ArtSimone) May 18, 2023
Honestly? Jail. Give me that makeup artist name. I have things to throw. https://t.co/NTs1Inrpyz
— Gabriel The Queen (@sweatyandgay) May 17, 2023
The look feels cheap, especially considering producers were working with a budget of nearly $200 million. Additionally, it drastically contradicts the campy and flamboyant nature of the Ursula’s personality.
Many already know that the drag icon Divine inspired the animated appearance for Ursula in the 1989's The Little Mermaid movie.
While promoting the film, McCarthy has been vocal about being inspired by drag queens for her performance as Ursula and her hope to make the late Divine proud.
In an interview with EW, the actress said, "I just hope to do every incredible drag queen proud and Divine proud. Just to give that same [attitude] — to give it your all, to throw it out there, no apologies, do it your way. I wanted to give [Divine] everything she was due."
The live action re-make of Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ will release to theaters this week, on May 26. What are your thoughts on McCarthy’s transformation? Let us know in the comments down below!
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