Melissa McCarthy’s makeup artist on The Little Mermaid slams ‘ridiculous’ backlash against his work

The makeup artist who transformed Melissa McCarthy into Ursula for The Little Mermaid is hitting back at the fallout from his work and job for the blockbuster live-action remake.

Many drag queens have criticized Disney for not hiring a queer makeup artist to bring Ursula’s iconic look to life, as her original aesthetic in the 1989 animated classic was based on legendary drag queen Divine.

Speak against InsiderPeter King called the criticism “ridiculous” and “deeply offensive,” asking the pointed question, “Why can’t I do my job as well as a queer makeup artist?”

The Oscar-winning King appeared to lash out at the transvestite community, claiming that Ursula’s looks were their own, saying, “That’s trying to claim it and that’s fine if that’s what they want to do, but don’t put people down because they are not what they want them to be.’

Ursula’s connection to the drag community caused many queens to comment on McCarthy’s makeup, which they considered amateurish.

Strike Back: Speaking to Insider, Peter King called the criticism “ridiculous” and “deeply offensive,” asking the pointed question, “Why can’t I do my job as well as a strange makeup artist?”

exclaiming McCarthy’s look Twitterwrote drag queen Sierra La Puerta: ‘We said Ursula was inspired by a drag queen, we didn’t mean someone who only did it 3 months BC-‘

The criticism did not go down well with King, who said he was “personal”. [doesn’t] get it and hit back at the idea that an artist should have an “attachment” to their work.

“Yeah, I’m very old now, so that’s fine,” he said, seemingly referring to critics who said Disney should have been championing emerging LGBTQ+ makeup artists.

King added, “I get that too, but you know, a makeup artist or makeup designer could design makeup. They don’t have to be attached to the nature of what they do.’

The veteran makeup artist even went so far as to state that he didn’t use Divine as the inspiration for McCarthy’s version of Ursula.

‘No no. It was me,’ he said. “I haven’t actually signed anything. I played quite a lot with different colors, different shapes and stuff. It was just kind of Melissa and I talking and creating. So I actually didn’t sign anything at all.’

Meanwhile, McCarthy praised drag queens as a major source of inspiration for her performance, saying they “100 percent” mined the community and the art form for research.

While raving about her drag queen fandom last month, the beloved actress proclaimed, “I’m a big, big fan of drag shows and the whole art of it and the entertainment of it.” I’ve been going to shows since I wasn’t supposed to go to shows.”

Don’t flinch: The Oscar-winning king appeared to be taking a swipe at the drag queen community, claiming Ursula’s look was theirs, saying, “That’s trying to claim it and that’s fine, if that’s what they want to do but don’t put people down for not being what they want it to be’

The inspiration: Many drag queens have criticized Disney for not hiring a queer makeup artist to bring Ursula’s iconic look to life, as her original aesthetic in the 1989 animated classic was based on legendary drag queen Divine (pictured right in 1975)

Loyal supporter: McCarthy has praised drag queens as a major inspiration for her performance, saying she has “100 percent” mined the community and the art form for research

McCarthy even joked that one day she could do drag full-time: “There’s a drag queen living inside of me. I’m always on the verge of joining her full time.”

The Bridesmaids star has been a passionate defender of Drag Queens in recent months as anti-drag legislation swept the country.

In March, Melissa posted a collage to Instagram featuring iconic drag characters centered around a central statement.

“You’ve been entertained by drag queens all your life,” McCarthy’s post read. “Now don’t act like it’s a problem.”