Looks like there is a new Ariel in town! And she is not one you would have expected.
The Little Mermaid has been a classic Disney animated film for decades now, becoming so popular that it not only gained a second movie, but a recent live-action film as well.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a cinematic masterpiece that has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide since its 1989 release. This animated musical film, directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, reimagined the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, transforming it into a vibrant and enduring story of love, adventure, and self-discovery.
The film introduced iconic characters that have become synonymous with Disney magic.
Ariel, a spirited mermaid princess voiced by Disney legend Jodi Benson, yearns for a life on land. Her aquatic world is brought to life with colorful characters, including the wise and protective King Triton, voiced by Kenneth Mars, the mischievous crab Sebastian, voiced by Samuel E. Wright, and the wise-cracking flounder, voiced by Jason Marin.
The story reaches a crescendo with the introduction of the charming Prince Eric, voiced by Christopher Daniel Barnes, and the villainous sea witch Ursula, voiced by the incomparable Pat Carroll.
The creation of The Little Mermaid was a labor of love for Disney animators, who meticulously crafted the underwater world with stunning visuals and imaginative creatures.
The film’s soundtrack, composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman, is a timeless collection of songs that have become synonymous with Disney magic. Classics like “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Part of Your World” have transcended the film itself, becoming cultural touchstones that every Disney fan has bopped to at least once in their life.
With a budget of approximately $40 million, The Little Mermaid was a significant investment for Disney. However, the film’s box office success, grossing over $235 million worldwide, justified the expenditure. The film’s enduring popularity and cultural impact have generated substantial revenue through merchandise, home video sales, and theme park attractions.
Within Disney theme parks, The Little Mermaid has been brought to life through a variety of attractions. The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, a popular dark ride at Disney California Adventure, offers guests a magical underwater journey.
Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid, a similar attraction, can be found at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Soon, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have a new show called The Voyage of the Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, and it will open in Fall of 2024.
Additionally, Ariel has made appearances in various parades and shows, delighting fans of all ages. She is also a character that fans can meet in the parks.
Jodi Benson’s rendition of Ariel has been so iconic that when Halle Bailey was cast as the live-action Ariel, there was some definite outrage. While Benson’s Ariel was just a voice-over role, many associate the animated Caucasian version of the mermaid to the actress. With Bailey being Black, there was some instant controversy when casting was announced, despite her incredible singing abilities that were incredibly well suited for the role.
The live-action The Little Mermaid defied racist backlash.
Not only did the film outsell its animated counterpart, but it recently became the most popular Disney+ streaming premiere since Hocus Pocus 2 (2022).
Now, there has been a new Ariel cast, and Jodi Benson actually went to go take a look at her next successor during her debut performance.
Jodi Benson went to see the new production of The Little Mermaid at Area Stage, located at The Shops at Sunset Place in South Miami, as her daughter, Delaney Benson, took on the title role. Below, one of the patrons Coolzjay took a video and shared it to TikTok where you can see Delaney performing “Part of Your World” directly to her mom, who was beaming a massive smile.
It’s ok if you get a little emotional watching this, we did too.
@coolzjay Watching @Delaney Benson play Ariel and @Jodi Benson being the most supportive mom was honestly such an honor!!! So lucky to have been able to witness this 😭 #thelittlemermaid #jodibenson #ariel #disney #miami
While this is not a Disney Broadway production, it is and has been running for a month, beginning July 11 to August 11, 2024, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Jodi Benson still does surprise performances from time to time to bring the original and classic voice of Ariel back to life, but it is rather special to see her daughter, who has a striking resemblance both physically and vocally to her mother, take us back to 1989 in a sense when Jodi was filming the audio for the role.
Comments on the video are flooded with so many who are shocked at how similar Delaney looks and sounds like her mom, making her the perfect casting.
Perhaps Delaney will be able to join a future Disney on Broadway cast in the titular role or join a Disney Cruise Line production of the musical performance to further follow in her mom’s footsteps, joining The Walt Disney Company.
What do you think of Delaney’s performance in The Little Mermaid?
