Twitter Can't Agree If 'The Little Mermaid's' Ursula Is A Black Woman Or A Drag Queen

Source: Disney

If you're wondering why the Disney character is one of the top trending subjects on Twitter, now you know.

This week came the rumor that Lady Gaga was up for the role of Ursula, the fictional antagonist of Disney's The Little Mermaid. The news created a divide on Twitter, where some supported the rumored casting while others opposed it, rightfully arguing that a thin woman shouldn't portray the heavyset octopus.

Although Disney has since confirmed that Gaga hasn't been chosen for the role (casting hasn't even started for the film which still doesn't have a director or principal star), the debate has now turned into if Ursula is a black woman or a drag queen and who of the two should portray the live-action version of her.

As numerous Twitter users have pointed out, Ursula was inspired by the white drag queen Divine (Harris Glenn Milstead). Milstead was featured in a few of filmmaker John Waters' movies including Mondo Trash, Multiple Maniacs, and Pink Flamingos. In his passing, Milstead has become a cult figure in the LGBTQ community.

But there is the fact that drag culture — at least in context to its creation in America — was a byproduct of the blackface minstrel show. Originally, performers would only mock black men but then they began to mock black women as well.

Overall, at least most people a part of this discussion agree that Ursula should be large and can sing.

Only time will tell who Disney ends up picking for the role.