Ursula is the main antagonist of Disney's The Little Mermaid (1989). She is a sea witch who was banished from King Triton's kingdom and lives in a dark cave with her moray eel minions, Flotsam and Jetsam. She offers Ariel a deal: her voice in exchange for human legs and three days to receive a kiss of true love from Prince Eric. If Ariel fails, she belongs to Ursula. The character was voiced by Pat Carroll and animated with inspiration from the drag performer Divine.

What Is Ursula's Deal With Ariel?

Ursula offers Ariel a magical transformation: human legs in exchange for her voice (stored in a nautilus shell). Ariel has three days to receive the kiss of true love from Prince Eric. If she succeeds, the transformation becomes permanent. If she fails, she reverts to mermaid form and becomes Ursula's prisoner. Ursula then sabotages Ariel's efforts by disguising herself as a human woman named Vanessa and using Ariel's captured voice to enchant Eric.

Why Is Ursula Considered a Great Villain?

Ursula is consistently ranked among Disney's greatest villains for her charisma, her musical number Poor Unfortunate Souls, and the theatrical joy she brings to villainy. Her character design was inspired by the drag performer Divine (Harris Glenn Milstead), giving her a campy, exuberant quality unique among Disney antagonists. She is also notable for being transparent about her terms — she does not deceive Ariel about the deal's conditions, only about her own intentions to sabotage it.

Who Voiced Ursula?

Ursula was voiced by Pat Carroll in the original 1989 film. Melissa McCarthy portrayed her in the 2023 live-action remake. Carroll's performance, particularly the song Poor Unfortunate Souls, is considered one of the great vocal performances in Disney animation.

Can You Talk to Ursula?

Ursula is available as an AI companion on HoloDream. She has a deal for you. The terms are clear. Whether you should sign is another question.