With the new, live-action version of The Little Mermaid being released this week, there’s been plenty of interest in the animated Disney original, which came out all the way back in 1989. This is especially true of the role of Ariel, which in the new film is being filled by Halle Bailey. There have been some people upset that a magical, invented creature is Black, but most are interested to see how Bailey fills the big shoes of the original part, which was played by singer and actress Jodi Benson. But just who was the original Ariel? And where else might you recognise her from? If you want to know all about Jodi Benson, the original voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid, then read ahead!
Who is Jodi Benson?
Jodi Marie Benson is an American singer and actress, known primarily for voicing Ariel in the 1989 Disney classic The Little Mermaid, as well as its sequel, prequel, and the television series based on the film. She has consistently voiced Ariel until the present day, and was named a Disney Legend in 2011 thanks to her commitment and importance to the brand.
Benson was born in 1961 and grew up in Illinois, and has been married to fellow actor and singer Ray Benson (although not the lead singer of Asleep at the Wheel) since 1984. Before moving into voiceover and on-screen acting work, she was in numerous theatrical productions, including Smile, where she met the man who would go on to write the lyrics for The Little Mermaid and several other Disney classics, Howard Ashman.
Her big break was with The Little Mermaid in 1989, but she continued to act on stage for a number of years, including in Crazy For You, for which she received a Tony nomination. Ironically, she wasn’t too keen on the part of Ariel at first, believing it to be a step down from her burgeoning Broadway career. In the years since The Little Mermaid, she also added television roles to her repertoire, mixing Disney content with other work. Outside of acting, she’s had the chance to sing with symphonies all over the globe, including the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the National Symphony, and the Symphonies of Dallas, Tokyo, San Francisco, and Chicago.
What Little Mermaid content has Jodi Benson voiced Ariel in?
Benson has voiced Ariel in the following Little Mermaid films, television series, and games:
Films
- The Little Mermaid
- The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea
- The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning
- Mickey’s Fun Songs: Beach Party at Walt Disney World
- Ralph Breaks the Internet
Television Series’
- The Little Mermaid
- House of Mouse
- Sofia the First
Video Games
- Ariel’s Story Studio
- Disney’s Arcade Frenzy
- Kingdom Hearts
- Kingdom Hearts II
- Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey
- Kinect Disneyland Adventures
- Disney Princess: My Fairytale Adventure
What else has Jodi Benson been in?
Jodi Benson has starred in a huge number of shows, films, and plays over the years. While The Little Mermaid and all its offshoots remains her most iconic role, she also voiced Barbie in the Toy Story franchise and Thumbelina of the Warner Bros. film of the same name. Her television work stretches across multiple genres, although it is mostly in animated shows for kids. She’s voiced parts on House of Mouse, The Wild Thornberrys, and Camp Lazlo.
In addition to her film, television, and stage work, Benson has voice acted in a number of video games, sometimes as Ariel and occasionally as other characters. In the game adaptation of A Bug’s Life, she replaced Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Atta, the female lead.
Is Jodi Benson in the new The Little Mermaid film?
Jodi Benson has a small cameo in the new The Little Mermaid live-action adaptation. She plays a market vendor who is selling her wares while Ariel and Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) are going on a tour of the underwater kingdom in which the mermaid lives.
Benson has been incredibly supportive of Bailey, offering advice and encouragement as she takes on the massive, iconic role. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the young actress was effusive about Benson’s help, stating: “I appreciate her for being so warm and welcoming to me because she’s the GOAT, and it was important to me to get her stamp of approval.”
What is Jodi Benson doing now?
Benson continues to work closely with Disney on various productions, while also getting gigs elsewhere. She’s a guest soloist for the Disney Cruise Line, so if you’ve always wanted to see her perform the songs that made her famous live, then you’ll have to head to the high seas. Outside of the House of Mouse, she recently voiced the role of Nia in The Wingfeather Saga.