To a few fans, the ability of Melissa McCarthy to take up the demanding role of the evil sea witch Ursula was debated; however, McCarthy’s interview with EW is very reassuring (Deadline). When looking at the original character design of Ursula in the 1989 The Little Mermaid, it is easy to see that she resembles the iconic drag queen Divine. Like so many choices in animation, this design was not by coincidence but an option, as Divine directly inspired the character.

With that in mind, McCarthy stated in the interview that she took heavy inspiration from the drag community and even referenced when she performed under the drag name Miss Y in Manhattan clubs.

McCarthy continued, “She’s the villain, but there’s such an edge to her. She’s been put in this lair. It’s like she’s had too many martinis alone. Her friends are eels. That is a woman who has seen it, been in it, dug her way back out. All my references are terrible, but I kept thinking, ‘Many a Pall Mall has this woman had.’”

Directed by Rob Marshall, the remake will be released in theaters on May 26^th, starring Halle Bailey as the titular mermaid Ariel.