Melissa McCarthy Reflects on Her First Job and the Lessons Learned as a Little Mermaid.

Actress Melissa McCarthy Recalls Working on a Hostile Set

Melissa McCarthy has opened up about her experience on a movie set that was so hostile that it made her “physically ill.” Although it seems that everyone had fun filming Disney’s reimagining of the classic animated movie The Little Mermaid, not all productions are the same. In recent years, several stories have emerged about various directors and stars making working on some movies almost impossible. McCarthy shared a memory of being part of one such production when she worked for someone who ran a volatile, hostile set, and she kept quiet because the person would fire people she loved. She stated, “It was very effective.”

Speaking Up and Learning a Valuable Lesson

Eventually, McCarthy decided enough was enough and made her voice heard on set, which taught her a valuable lesson about working in such an environment. She said, “Then one day, I was like, ‘It stops today!’ I just kept saying to them, ‘It stops, it stops.’ And I know now I’ll never keep quiet again.”

Playing the Villain in The Little Mermaid

Although McCarthy is best known for her roles in comedy situations, playing the villain in The Little Mermaid is something she has relished. She previously spoke about taking inspiration from her time working as a drag queen while discussing how she approached playing the character. McCarthy said that Ursula, the villain she will portray, has such an edge to her and has been put in this lair. She continued, “It’s like she’s had too many martinis alone. Her friends are eels. That is a woman who has seen it, been in it, dug her way back out. All my references are terrible, but I kept thinking, ‘Many a Pall Mall has this woman had.’ There’s a drag queen that lives in me. I’m always right on the verge of going full-time with her… To keep the humor and the sadness and the edginess to Ursula is everything I want in a character — and frankly, everything I want in a drag queen.”

The Little Mermaid Continues the Profitable Trend

Many people doubted The Little Mermaid’s ability to continue the hugely profitable trend of movies such as Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King; however, it seems that those worries were unfounded, just like the question mark that hung over casting choices like McCarthy as Ursula. With trailers and clips giving a brief look, and listen, to how this iteration of the classic story will be told, there will be plenty of people finding fun under the sea this weekend.

Editorial

The entertainment industry is known to be an intense and hostile work environment, and McCarthy’s experience is not an isolated incident. However, her ability to speak up and make a change is commendable and is a positive step towards ending the toxic work culture that has been allowed to fester in the industry. Employers should provide a safe working environment for their employees, and bullying, harassment, and any form of disrespect should not be tolerated. Although it can be challenging to speak up, as McCarthy learned, it is important to do so, and collectively, Hollywood can create a work culture that is supportive, respectful, and empowering.

Advice

Individuals in any work industry experiencing harassment and bullying are advised to speak up and report the behavior to appropriate authorities. Remaining silent can lead to more harm to one’s mental and physical health. Employers are encouraged to provide a safe and respectful workplace for their workers, setting clear expectations of behavior and taking remedial action when necessary. Toxic work culture breeds resentment, and while it may seem like an individual’s responsibility to make a change, addressing the underlying problems is the only way to ensure that progress is made effectively.