Unusual Inspiration Behind Úrsula
The iconic villain Ursula, from The Little Mermaid (1989), had her appearance and mannerisms strongly inspired by the drag queen Divine, a prominent figure in the underground scene of the 70s and 80s. Known for her exaggerated style, dramatic makeup and irreverent personality, Divine directly influenced Disney animators in the creation of the feared Sea Witch.
The idea came from character designer Howard Ashman, who was also one of the people responsible for the film's music. He wanted Ursula to have a striking presence, one that would combine humor and menace at the same time. Thus, Divine's striking features were incorporated, from her voluminous hairstyle to her heavy facial expression and mocking way of speaking.
Despite the strong influence of the drag queen, Divine died in 1988, before the film's release, and never got to see her animated version. However, her legacy lives on in the character, who became one of Disney's most iconic villains.
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