The 63-year-old singer and actress says, "I know her, and she is me. We're kind of like one." Jodi Benson , who voiced Ariel ...
.jpg "Jodi Benson, the Original Ariel, Reveals How Her Love for the Character Has 'Deepened' Over Time (Exclusive)")
The 63-year-old singer and actress says, "I know her, and she is me. We're kind of like one."
Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in the first The Little Mermaid movie, says she has known the character for a long time.
Benson, who is 63 years old, talked to PEOPLE only while at the World Princess Week Celebration at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, on Tuesday, August 26. During the chat, the singer and actress said that her love for Ariel has "deepened" over the years.
Benson says, "Because we're kind of the same now." "I know this character, and she is me. We've had her for almost 40 years, so we're kind of merged..." Which is why it still kind of amazes me that I get to play this role.
"It still blows my mind," she wrote next. "Most of all, when I meet kids, I enjoy hearing what the character means to them." "What a wonderful gift."
The animated classic from 1989 was a big hit with both critics and audiences. It was the first of ten major animated hits for Disney.
Benson also told that over the years, she has become friends with a number of other famous Disney princesses. They include Susan Egan, who voiced Megara in Disney's Hercules, and Paige O'Hara, who voiced Belle in the original Beauty and the Beast.
Benson tells , "Susan is great." "We've known each other for a very long time." Paige and I have been friends for 45 years. Sue and I have been friends for 35 years. We've known each other for a long time, and the fact that we get to work together at Disney events is a big gift.
What is her best memory of a princess? According to Benson, it was backstage at an event for the animated movie Ralph Breaks the Internet. In that movie, several Disney characters were in one scene.
She says, "That was amazing because we never get together." "But seeing us all on screen together and seeing ourselves in it, seeing our characters come to life, was amazing." That day will always be special to me because it was so magical.
Benson then talked about her personal legacy outside of Disney. She said that she wants to be known for helping other people.
The star thinks, "I hope that my legacy will be that I helped other people well." "That seems very important to me." How to love and help other people. It's hard for all of us to think less about ourselves and more about other people.
She talks about the other Disney actresses there, such as Egan, O'Hara, and Ginnifer Goodwin (Snow White in Once Upon a Time). "I'm thinking about tonight, I'm thinking about myself, I'm thinking about my hair and makeup, but if I can stop and really realize this gift and opportunity for us when we're all together," she says.
"When we're together, I think about them, love them, and encourage them," she said.