New 'Little Mermaid' Uses Iconic Drag Queen as Inspiration, Faces Backlash

Ursula's character design in Disney's live-action The Little Mermaid remake was heavily influenced by legendary drag queen Divine.
Divine's signature flamboyant and confident style directly inspired Ursula's look and attitude in the 1989 animated film.
Casting Melissa McCarthy as Ursula angered some in the drag community who felt the role should have gone to a queer artist.
McCarthy acknowledges Divine's role in shaping Ursula but the remake's makeup artist denies basing the new design on Divine.
The dispute highlights the need for more opportunities for LGBTQ+ artists, especially in roles inspired by or paying homage to queer cultural touchpoints, critics argue.