The Source of Maleficent’s Inspiration
Maleficent is arguably one of Disney’s most famous villains. Despite the fact that she was based on a variety of old fairytale characters, the “Mistress of All Wicked’s” onscreen image was distinct from prior portrayals of evil female characters.
Many people believe that the malevolent fairy in Disney’s 1959 film Sleeping Beauty was greatly influenced by actress Maila Nurmi, who played the role. Nurmi was a gorgeous gothic actress who was famed for her form-fitting dresses. She was better known as Vampira. Nurmi’s journal entries were discovered in 2014, and they revealed that she was, in fact, the villain’s model.