Lizzo is one of today’s most popular performers, known for ability to rap, sing, act, as well as being a classically trained flautist, the vivacious singer has shown herself to be a versatile talent. Given the singer’s multi-talented skill set, many people saw her as a perfect addition to Disney’s roster, and many people were wondering if Lizzo is in Aladdin.
Lizzo is not in Aladdin. The singer did not appear as an actress in 2019’s live-action remake of the beloved Disney classic, nor did her vocal talents appear on the soundtrack. Though she may not have graced audiences with her presence, Lizzo has been lobbying for a part in another Disney remake.
Read more below about which Disney Classic Lizzo loves and the part she thinks she was born to play.
Disney Animation to Live-Action Films
Disney has slowly but surely been taking all of their classic animated films and shooting live action remakes of the beloved movies. Much like their predecessors, the remakes are huge box office draws for Disney, with its most recent incarnation, Aladdin, bringing in over $1 billion at the global box office.
The Legend of The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid is one of Disney’s best and most popular movies. Very loosely based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, Disney’s version follows Ariel, a teenage mermaid with a rebellious streak who wants nothing more than to visit the surface and walk amongst the humans on land.
As is wont to happen in fairy tales, there is an evil sea witch, Ursula, who makes a devious deal with Ariel, exchanging the mermaid’s shimmery tail for a set of human legs, in exchange for her voice. There are, of course, some other sketchy stipulations to the deal, but Ariel signs away on the dotted line.
Don’t worry, for anyone who has managed not to see the film, there won’t be any spoilers here. Suffice it to say though, Ursula is up to no good and in fact, she’s often considered Disney’s best villain of all time.
In the winter of 2019, word spread like wildfire that Disney’s next live-action remake would be The Little Mermaid. Fans rejoiced and eagerly looked for news of the production, wondering which actors and actresses would take on the parts of their treasured characters.
Lizzo Loves Ursula
Lizzo, herself a huge Disney fan, decided to throw her hat in the ring. Seeing herself as the perfect person to play Ursula, Lizzo went to great lengths to dress up like the evil sea witch (who has the body of an octopus, no less), and took to social media to let Disney know she meant business.
In the singer’s video, she is in full hair and makeup and performs Ursula’s dastardly villain theme song, “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” captioning the post, “I’m Ursula. Period.” Fans agreed the singer would be the perfect choice for the role, from her buxom figure to her powerhouse vocals, Lizzo could definitely pull off the part.
You can see Lizzo’s turn as Ursula on Twitter in the YouTube video below.
Melissa McCarthy Makes Magic
However, unfortunately for Lizzo, Disney seemed interested in a different star for the role of Ursula. Oscar-nominated actress Melissa McCarthy, best known for her outrageous character in Bridesmaids and for the female half of a couple struggling with their weight in Mike and Molly, was reported to be in early talks about joining the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.
The actress was confirmed to play the part in February of 2020. Speaking of the role, McCarthy said, “I play Ursula, the sea witch. It is so fun, we’re just in rehearsals. It’s been an absolute blast. Stepping into the world of Rob Marshall, it’s like a fever dream, I just went to London for a week, I was like, ‘I don’t get to go to dance camp for a week.’ All day he’s like, ‘Do you want to slide down this 40-foot clam shell?’ I’m like, ‘Yes! Of course I do. What are you, crazy?’ It’s been wildly creative.”
Due to the ongoing pandemic, production on the movie, which was supposed to be released in 2021, halted in March. Though Lizzo has not yet gotten to take part in a Disney movie, fans are keeping their fingers crossed that the company won’t let her talent go to waste and that she’ll be cast in a future role.