Heartwarming moment Jodi Benson tears up with pride as she watches her daughter perform her iconic role as Ariel the Mermaid
Jodi Benson felt a sense of pride when she saw her daughter take on the role of Ariel in a stage production of The Little Mermaid, more than thirty years after she voiced the lead character in the original animated film.
Benson, 62, was the narrator and actor of Ariel in the original 1989 Disney cartoon, long before the live-action remake starring Halle Bailey.
Her daughter Delaney is now taking on the same role at Area Stage in Miami for a 90-minute musical based on the classic children’s animation.
Delaney Benson played Ariel at Area Stage in Miami in a 90-minute musical based on the classic children’s animated film The Little Mermaid
Her mother Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in the original 1989 Disney cartoon, felt proud when she saw her
Benson shared a fan-made video last week of Delaney watching and waving as she sings Part of Your World, the film’s signature song.
Another part of the video showed the young actress holding a fork, a variation on the original where the audience interacts with props.
‘I cried the entire show. I feel so honored to pass my beloved dinglehopper on to my daughter.
Jodi and Delaney Benson dressed up for the musical’s Miami premiere
“Delaney created her character Ariel with so much love, strength, vulnerability, curiosity and honesty. I am so incredibly proud of my daughter.”
Delaney previously explained the differences between the film and the musical, which features immersive elements.
The audience will be sitting right below us [me]”I can see them. I can feel them. I can smell them. It’s like nothing I’ve ever done,” she said.
Sharing photos of herself in her childhood Ariel costume, she added: ‘Hi Ariel, the little girl in me is so happy right now. I get to be my favorite little mermaid all summer long!’