Melissa McCarthy’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ Makeup Artist Loses it after Nonsensical Backlash: “Why can’t I do as good a job as a queer makeup artist?”
The Little Mermaid was a highly anticipated Disney movie. The live-action film is a remake of the 1989 animated film of the same name. The film has already created enough buzz for its casting. The Disney film recently made its way into theaters. The lead cast of the film includes Halle Bailey as Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as the evil witch Ursula.
Every Disney enthusiast feels a connection with the Disney characters since they have been so ingrained in everyone’s minds and hearts. Bailey created history by being the first black Disney princess, although she received a lot of criticism, she was in the end praised for her role. Disney unveiled McCarthy’s look for the movie, and the actress’s makeup was not appreciated by fans. They even criticized the makeup artist Peter Smith King for his work.
Melissa McCarthy’s makeup artist responded to the criticism
The Little Mermaid premiered on Friday, and fans went frenzy. The live-action movie has been a highly anticipated film among Disney fans. While many criticized Halle Bailey for her role, many were not satisfied with Melissa McCarthy‘s transformation as Ursula. They went on to criticize her makeup artist. Peter Smith King, the British hair and makeup designer, who worked on McCarthy’s character, has replied to the critics.
King has 42 years of experience working on stage, screen, and opera productions. His previous works included The Lord of the Rings and Mary Poppins. King revealed working on Disney’s live remake was among his favorite work.
McCarthy’s look for the film was originally inspired by American actor and drag queen Divine. Fans criticized the King and said the makeup artist for the remake should have been from that world.
In response, the British hair and makeup designer said, “I find that very offensive. Why can’t I do as good a job as a queer makeup artist?”
He added, “That’s ridiculous. That’s trying to claim it and that’s fine if that’s what they wanna do. But don’t put people down because they’re not what they want it to be.”
King also revealed how he and Melissa McCarthy worked together on the look. “We discussed everything. I mean, we both laughed about how much we love drag queens and drag makeup and stuff,” King said.
The hairdresser also cleared that he didn’t take inspiration from Ursula in the 1989 animated version.
Also Read: How Much Was Halle Bailey Paid For $250 Million Worth ‘The Little Mermaid’?
Rob Minkoff’s Ursula was inspired by drag performer Divine
After the release of The Little Mermaid, Rob Minkoff the animator of the 1989 version of the film revealed his Ursula was inspired by Divine. Harris Glenn Milstead, who performed as Divine, a drag queen, was active in the 1970s and 1980s but passed away in 1988.
Divine resembled Ursula in several ways, such as having a high hairline, thick eyebrows, and excessive eyeshadow.
Minkoff said, “Divine seemed like such a great, larger than life character, and it just seemed like a funny and quirky idea to take [Ursula] and treat her more like a drag queen,”
While the 1989 Ursula was based on Divine, the new version was not inspired by that.
The Little Mermaid is available in theaters worldwide.
Also Read: Who Is Halle Bailey’s Boyfriend: ‘The Little Mermaid’ Star’s Dating Life
Source: Insider
