In the vibrant world of film, where every detail matters, makeup artists play a crucial role in bringing characters to life. Disney's live-action adaptation of "The Little Mermaid," featuring Melissa McCarthy as the infamous sea witch Ursula, has sparked conversations not only about the film's artistic choices but also about representation within the industry. As the film opened in theaters, it faced criticism regarding the depiction of Ursula and the makeup choices made for the character.
The makeup artist at the center of this discussion, Peter Smith King, has publicly defended his work against backlash claiming that the character should have been styled by a member of the LGBTQ+ community. While the original inspiration for Ursula came from the drag queen Divine, King argued that talent transcends identity and that his vision for the character was based on creativity and collaboration, rather than a specific cultural affiliation.
This debate reflects broader conversations about representation in Hollywood, particularly in roles inspired by LGBTQ+ figures. As audiences increasingly demand authentic portrayals and inclusivity, the makeup artist's response serves as a reminder that artistic expression can come from diverse backgrounds, regardless of personal identity.
The makeup artist for Disney’s live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid” has responded to criticism surrounding the movie’s depiction of Ursula.
The nefarious sea witch — played by Melissa McCarthy in the new film — was originally inspired by Baltimore drag queen Divine. And some have argued that the studio should have hired a member of the LGBTQ+ community to style the beloved character for the 2023 adaptation, which opened in theaters this weekend.
But Peter Smith King, the British hair and makeup artist who created Ursula’s look for the blockbuster, called that criticism “ridiculous” in a recent interview with Insider.
“I find that very offensive,” he said. “Why can’t I do as good a job as a queer makeup artist?”
“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,” he added.
King also denied taking inspiration from the 1989 animated version of “The Little Mermaid” while styling McCarthy — despite her gravity-defying white plume of hair, dramatic eye-shadow and scarlet lipstick strongly resembling the animation from the original film.
“No, no. It was me. I didn’t really draw on anything. I played around quite a lot with different colors, different shapes, and stuff,” King told Insider.
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