Powerhouse vocalist Lizzo recently opened up about her experience auditioning for Disney’s The Little Mermaid, where she went out for the role of the evil sea witch, Ursula. The live-action film will be directed by Rob Marshall and is finally set for a 2023 theatrical release after being in production for years now.
The film will re-imagine Disney’s 1989 animated classic, except this time ushering in an entire new generation. To coincide with this more modern twist, The Little Mermaid will also be adding four brand new songs to the original soundtrack, composed by Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Actress Halle Bailey has been cast to play the young mermaid, Ariel. Joining her is a star-studded cast, including Javier Bardem, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Jonah Hauer-King, and Daveed Diggs. Actress and comedian Melissa McCarthy was eventually cast as the ultimate antagonist, the wicked sea witch who traps Ariel in a plot to rob her forever of her voice.
However, she was far from the only actress or household name who expressed interest in the role. In other words, she definitely had some tough competition to beat out. Her most notable competitor was Grammy winner Lizzo, who also auditioned for Ursula and was extremely passionate about being a part of the film ahead of McCarthy being cast. In a new interview with Variety, Lizzo opened up about her audition process and experience, as well as emphasizing that her wish to play Ursula still remains strong.
Although Lizzo now reveals she’s fine regarding not getting the role, she still knows deep down that her version of Ursula would have been the most modern, trendy interpretation to date. Lizzo said, “Everyone knows I auditioned for Ursula in Disney’s upcoming live-action, The Little Mermaid, and I didn’t get it. But you know, I’m fine as hell. That has nothing to do with Ursula, but I was down to make Ursula a THOT, shaking ass.” Lizzo also shared that overall she thought her audition “was good” and that her singing was great.
Lizzo also went on to clarify that she has no hard feelings against McCarthy. The two were recently spotted together at the taping for Adele’s CBS concert-special, where they were bonding over having the same first name (Lizzo’s legal name is Melissa Jefferson). Hearing Lizzo briefly tease what she would have brought to the role of Ursula makes so many people wish they could have the opportunity to witness it on the big screen. Either way, McCarthy is absolutely hilarious and brilliant, so it’s really a win-win situation in this case for fans.
The Little Mermaid will be in theaters on May 26, 2023.
Source: Variety
