Jodi Benson, Original Voice of Ariel, Supports Daughter as She Takes on ‘Little Mermaid’ Role

Jodi Benson’s daughter, Delaney, will soon become part of her mom’s world as she is set to star in a stage production of The Little Mermaid.

Delaney plays the role of Ariel — whom her mother, Jodi, voiced in Disney’s 1989 film. In a video shared on TikTok, Jodi is captured supporting her daughter at she takes center stage and performs “Park of Your World.” 

“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,” reads the video caption.

In the TikTok post, 23-year-old Delaney — dressed as Ariel — performs the song next to her mother, who can’t help but smile. The video cuts to the curtain call, and Delaney runs to the stage for a bow as her mother is seen blowing her a kiss.

Jodi, 62, shared the TikTok video on her Instagram Story and praised her daughter’s performance. 

“Absolutely incredible Delaney,” she wrote. “You are a perfect Ariel. I love you so much congratulations @delaneybenson @areastage.” 

According to Area Stage in Miami, Florida, the show is an “immersive production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid in a sleeker, shorter version in a new all-immersive space designed from the ground up to tell this story. Step into a mystical seaside tavern where sailors and pirates share myths of mermaids and adventure. Once inside, Ariel and Eric’s story will spring to life all around you in this epic under the sea spectacular.”

Arena Stage’s immersive production opened on July 11 and will run until Aug. 4. 

Jodi has been no stranger to supporting the next generation of Ariel actresses. In 2023, after Halle Bailey was cast as the iconic Disney princess for the live-action film The Little Mermaid, Jodi defended the changes made and voiced her support for the “Angel” singer. 

“It’s 2023, so we have to grow, we have to learn, we have to be aware of our surroundings,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “We’ve got to be aware of our growth as humans and what’s important now and what maybe isn’t as important. Things change. We’ve got to roll with that. I think that Rob and John have done a beautiful job of doing that, and still paying tribute and honor to our original film. But you’ve got to have growth. It’s very important to stay relevant with where we are, what’s going on around us. We need to be aware. So the adjustments and the fine-tuning that they needed to do, it was a must, but it was done in a beautiful way, and I’m very, very thrilled with it.”

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