‘It’s Very Surreal’: OG Ariel Star Jodi Benson Shares Emotional Reaction To Daughter Playing Little Mermaid in New Production

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As an ardent fan of Disney and its enchanting world, I find myself utterly captivated by the heartwarming story of Jodi Benson and her daughter Delaney. The fact that Jodi once gave voice to Ariel, one of my all-time favorite characters, and now Delaney is playing the same role in a Miami production, feels like a magical twist straight out of a fairy tale!

Back in 1989, Jodi Benson lent her voice to the character of Ariel. Now, she found herself brimming with feelings as her own daughter took on the role of the Little Mermaid during a performance in Miami. In essence, Jodi Benson was preparing to welcome another sea princess into the fold.

34 years ago, Delaney Benson’s mother lent her voice to a beloved Disney princess and more recently, she starred in a 90-minute interactive Miami production as the Little Mermaid. Delaney followed in her mother’s footsteps, dedicating herself to acting and music, and even studied at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. An opportunity came for them both when they performed together in a production of Gypsy. When Delaney received the news about the Ariel role, she was with her mother in a New York City hotel room. It felt like fate had brought everything together perfectly. Jodi, now 62, shared her feelings exclusively with PEOPLE at a recent Disney Princess event held at Disneyland in California. She said, “It’s quite unbelievable. The day she got the call from her agent about the role, she was so excited that she told me, ‘Mom, you won’t believe this.’ I didn’t even know she had auditioned, and then she shared, ‘I’m going to be Ariel this summer. I have an equity contract. I will be in Miami.’ And all I could say was, ‘Are you joking?’ “

In the early summertime, Delaney spent her days getting ready for her part as Ariel and putting on shows for Area Stage between July 11 and August 4. Jodi Benson fondly remembered taking young Delaney to Disney events, and it was both Ariel and the stage lights that caught her eye. Jodi reminisced, “She would often join me on stage at 3 or 4 years old, snatch the microphone from the symphony, and continue singing without giving it back.”

In addition, Delaney’s work on the character and overall performance was also highlighted. Delaney, influenced by what she absorbed at a tender age from her mother and Disney musical luminary Howard Ashman, displayed this in her portrayal of Ariel. Watching her daughter play Ariel, Jodi remarked, “My husband and I cried throughout the entire performance. I watched the show nine times, during both the opening and closing weekends. Yet, she managed to make Ariel unique, yet clearly, she was steeped in the music. She internalized everything Howard taught me because the song is Howard. Essentially, she learned from him, she knows all that he taught me, and she brings it to life. It was awe-inspiring, and we were left speechless. It was enchanting.”

Besides Jodi Benson, there were others who felt equally proud of Delaney as well. For instance, Paige O’Hara, renowned for her role as Belle in Beauty and the Beast, expressed admiration towards Delaney. In her words to PEOPLE magazine, “She is genuine talent. She will undoubtedly shine on Broadway. She’s not just a fantastic singer, but an exceptional actress too.” (Paige O’Hara is 68 years old.)

1. Jodi emphasized that her daughter’s character is of utmost importance, saying, “What makes her special is her heart. She’s a wonderful person. I enjoy spending time with her and she helps me become a better person.”

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2024-08-22 16:23