Melissa McCarthy is 2023 People's Beautiful Issue Cover Star

Melissa McCarthy is the cover star for People‘s 2023 “Beautiful Issue.”

The 52-year-old actress stars as the sea witch Ursula in Disney’s upcoming live action The Little Mermaid, which will be released May 26.

She says being chosen for this honor says something to her younger self and hopes it does the same for others too.

“I thought the younger version of myself or everybody out there who maybe isn’t like the youngest, the whatever, I kind of felt like it was saying something really lovely to my younger self, to my 20-year-old self,” Melissa told People. “Maybe to other people too.”

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Melissa got married to actor Ben Falcone in 2005 and together they have two kids: Vivian, 15, and Georgette, 13.

Melissa says she learned many interesting lessons as a child herself.

“I was fascinated because when I walked down the street and I looked like that, it was the first time that I’d ever had people kind of make fun of me or say really mean things to me, even adults,” Melissa said of her going through a punk phase. “I just kept thinking, you don’t know me, I didn’t do anything to you. It was a real big eye-opener that people are just judging left and right.”

Melissa says her husband has played a large role in helping her feel different about herself. “Because he’s so constantly loving and kind. And funny and the weirdest human I know, to be honest,” she said. “And somewhere in my 30s, I was like ‘I’m okay with who I am.’ And if someone wasn’t thrilled with that, that’s okay too. At some point I was like, ‘They’re not all going to like you.’ You have to learn that the hard way, but it’s a good [lesson].”

“When someone’s being their authentic self and it hurts no one else in the world… The simplest rule is just be kind,” Melissa said.

Melissa shared that she pulled influence from drag culture while portraying Ursula in the upcoming live action movie The Little Mermaid.