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Jodi Benson, the iconic voice of Disney’s Ariel in The Little Mermaid (1989), is synonymous with the charm and innocence of Disney Princesses. However, as Disney fans are now discovering, her career holds a hidden connection to a very different world—the gritty, action-packed realm of the “Metal Gear Solid” series.
It turns out that Benson voiced a character in “Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater,” an M-rated game filled with espionage, dark themes, and intense combat—quite the contrast from the underwater adventures of Ariel. If you’ve played this “gory” game, you might have heard her in the role of EVA, one of the series’ iconic characters. For nearly two decades, Benson’s involvement was a well-kept secret, as she used the pseudonym Suzetta Miñet to distance herself from her family-friendly Disney work.
Credit: D23
The big reveal came recently in a Konami video promoting the “Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater” remake, where it was finally confirmed: the beloved voice of Ariel and Barbie in Pixar’s Toy Story franchise was also behind the voice of EVA.
So, why the pseudonym? Benson explained that the decision stemmed from a conversation with the game’s voice acting director, Kris Zimmerman. With her wholesome Disney image, Benson felt a name change might be best for a project as intense as “Metal Gear Solid.”
“She asked me, ‘What was your dog’s name growing up?’ and I said, ‘Suzette Monet,'” Benson shared. After a few adjustments, the character of Suzetta Miñet was born.
For years, Benson’s secret role went unnoticed until one sharp-eyed fan figured it out. At a convention, a fan approached her with a copy of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and asked for her autograph. When she asked why, the fan responded, “Because you’re in it.”
Credit: Konami
“I said, ‘Do you know? Do you know my deep, dark secret?’ and he said, ‘Yes!’ I said, ‘Shh… keep it quiet,'” Benson recalled.
Now, with Benson confirmed to reprise her role as EVA in “Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater,” her legacy continues in both family-friendly Disney lore and the shadowy world of “Metal Gear.” Disney and Konami fans can look forward to hearing her voice once again in the remake, which will be available on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X, though an official release date has yet to be announced.
Would you have guessed that Jodi Benson voiced EVA? Share your thoughts with Disney Dining in the comments.
