Jodi Benson, the voice behind Ariel in The Little Mermaid, has revealed her lifelong connection to the Disney princess. During the World Princess Week Celebration at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Jodi spoke to PEOPLE magazine and explained that her appreciation for Ariel has only “deepened” over the years.
“Because we kind of are one and the same now,” she said. “We’re going [almost 40] years of having this character, and I know her — and she is me — and we’re kind of combined… so it still just kind of amazes me that I have the privilege to be this character.” She added, “It still just blows me away,” particularly when “I meet kids, meet the younger generation, and what the character means to them. It’s such a gift.”
Jodi also told PEOPLE that she has developed close friendships with other iconic Disney princesses, including Susan Egan, who voiced Megara in Disney’s Hercules, and Paige O’Hara, the voice of Belle in Beauty and the Beast. The actress and singer exclaimed, “Susan is amazing.”
“We’ve been friends for a really long time. I’ve been friends with Paige for 45 years. I’ve been friends with Susan for 35 years. So it’s a long time, these are long relationships, and we get to work together [at Disney events], and this is a huge gift,” she explained to the outlet.
The Disney star concluded, “I hope my legacy will be that I helped others well. I think that’s really important to me. How to love and serve others. Think less about myself and more about others, which is challenging for all of us.”
