Lizzo Reacts to Not Getting the Part of Ursula in Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’

Fans of Lizzo’s may recall the singer’s campaign on social media following the announcement of a new live-action Little Mermaid movie from Walt Disney Studios years ago, as she took to Instagram singing “Poor Unfortunate Souls” complete with Ursula’s signature makeup look, white wig, and purple makeup. When roles were announced for the new film, however, the role of Ursula was given to Melissa McCarthy rather than Lizzo, prompting some fans to spark conversations on who should have gotten the role. Recently, Lizzo herself spoke out on the subject and shared some thoughts.

I’M URSULA. PERIOD. @Disney pic.twitter.com/9YPVPPvVpz

— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) November 1, 2018

Lizzo spoke with Variety sharing her reaction to not getting the role of Ursula and sharing some of her thoughts on her audition for the role as well as on actress Melissa McCarthy who will be playing the role of this classic sea witch:  “Everyone knows I auditioned for Ursula in ‘The Little Mermaid,’ and I didn’t get it. But you know, I’m fine as hell,” Lizzo told Variety, “That has nothing to do with Ursula, but I was down to make Ursula a THOT, shaking ass.”

With viral videos of Lizzo singing “Poor Unfortunate Souls” reaching nearly four million views on Twitter alone, some fans were also surprised to learn she did not get the part. As for Lizzo’s thoughts on McCarthy being selected for the role? It turns out she ran into her at the recording of “One Night Only,” the Adele concert special that aired on CBS.

Lizzo said that McCarthy introduced herself as Melissa to which she replied, “Hi, I’m Melissa. And I also auditioned for Ursula.” To that, McCarthy replied, “Well, why the hell did I get the part?” Lizzo went on reminiscing sharing, “Girl, because my audition was terrible. And I say that as Tyler Perry walks by. And I was like — ruined my chances there. And then she goes, ‘This is my daughter Vivian.’ And I’m like, ‘Get out of here because my name is Melissa Viviane.’ We were looking at each other like, ‘What the hell is going on?'”

Lizzo later pointed out that she was only joking saying that her audition was terrible and that the singing would have been great for the film, though there are no hard feelings and only positivity toward McCarthy for getting the role.

Filming wrapped last year on the new retelling of The Little Mermaid, and the film is set for a release date of May 26, 2023. In addition to Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, the film features a talented cast including Halle Baily as Ariel, Awkwafina as Scuttle, Jonah Hauer-King as Eric, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, and Daveed Diggs as Sebastian. As for Lizzo, the singer’s latest projects include a new album and a new reality series coming soon to Amazon Prime called, Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.