OFM Feature - JodiBenson - FINAL_Pages 1 / 22 / 19 3 : 49 PM Page 3 Jodi when I talk . I , of course , hadn’t request to see if they are legitimate worked behind a microphone and to see if it lines up for the char - before and would constantly hit acter of Ariel and the music of The Benson the microphone with my hands . I Little Mermaid . The wedding in practically needed to strap my four parks , such a very fun time for New Jersey was an Ariel wedding . amount of exercise , eat healthy , hands down . our family . warm up daily as much as possible I [ also ] think there was a lot of and just continuing to sing . Just as the first time you real - When w burping going on ( laughs ) . As a Last year , you also went viral like an athlete you’ve got to keep ized you could really sing and joke the engineers would when you surprised a New Jersey everything kind of going all the potentially make it your career ? save these couple at their wedding . How did way around . I have one cup of cof - k I was about 8 years old funny little clips of things that I I thin that all come about and what did fee in the morning , but really no when I announced to my mom would do or say and I know it will you think other caffeine . Those types of of the bride’s reaction ? that I wanted to be a working ac - come back and haunt me one day . things make a difference for me . They are such a sweet couple . They tress who could sing , dance and act . I usually don’t eat anything four contacted my agent in Los Angeles , I didn’t want to be famous , I didn’t You recently also reprised the hours before I go to bed , which then contacted my husband as my want to be a star , but I wanted to Ariel role in Ralph Breaks the helps with reflux laryngitis . manager and we went through an be a working actress . I started Internet . Is it a bit surreal to agency that handles celebrity singing when I was pretty much revitalize the character for an Because of your strong Disney appearances that was based in the coming out of the womb , but entire new viewing audience connections , I’m sure you’ve New York area , and we kind of vet - around 5 years of age , my sister and three decades later ? spent quite a bit of time in Orlan - ted through to make sure it was I sang at Catholic guitar mass ser - ng on Ralph Breaks the Inter - Worki do over the years . Any memo - legitimate . I spoke with the father vice . My sister and I used to sing at net was incredible . [ Director ] Rich rable stories or places you like to and mother of the bride and just weddings and got hired out . There Moore is a phenomenal genius who visit when you’re in town ? fell in love with them , they were so was lots of music in my household . reminds me so much of Howard Yes , we are in Orlando a lot . I think precious . It was an amazing surprise Ashman . It was so much fun to I was at Disney World 10 times last and tribute for their daughter . work on that project with Rich in - ve also been quoted as You ha year for work . … [ It’s ] our I had never sung at a wedding side the booth with me , just like seeing a lot of yourself in the favorite that wasn’t family or friends . I had Howard did , and all the other folks Ariel character . How so ? place to go . Unfortunately because to stay hidden … far away from behind the glass . Rich would play of my schedule , every time I’m ave a lot in common . I We do h everyone involved in the wedding all the characters for me and I had a there I am never off the property . I think we are both tenacious , both party so no one would find me . I blast , I really did . think one time I went to Universal’s strong willed , we both think out of love the family and the bride was It’s a really fun film , and I’m [ The Wizarding World of ] Harry the box . Coming from a small completely shocked . just so excited that all the Potter with my kids . We scooted town in Illinois and wanting to go princesses are gathered together in over there for a day and I didn’t tell to Broadway without ever seeing a such a historic event . And [ for the anyone at Disney that we were over Broadway show is pretty ridiculous . After the video became so filmmakers ] to take us out of our there because I was being unfaithful So I felt like that was something widespread , were you thinking , comfort zones , that was really fun ( laughs ) . that Ariel and I could really con - oh boy , I’m going to be asked to as well . Not necessarily making But we absolutely love Disney nect on , trying to live outside the do everyone’s wedding now ? fun of ourselves , but having fun World . We are major thrill ride ad - box , dreaming big and thinking It has turned into requests on a with ourselves as far as being dicts , so we do every thrill ride beyond what looks possible . I think daily basis , so my husband now has princesses was very clever on the multiple times and never get tired tenacity , strong will , and a slightly another full - time job searching and part of it . I love , love , love being at all stubborn personality is something going through every inquiry and of the studio to come up with that Ariel and I have in common . that plan . I’m very thankful that Ariel has been reintroduced to yet another generation . Each time is The Little Mermaid is such an just glorious and I’m so thrilled , iconic Disney film , but is there so blessed . anything that people may not know about the movie , any tales from behind the scenes ? You were named a Disney My fondest memories would be Legend in 2011 ; what did that all of the recording sessions with honor mean to you ? Howard Ashman and Alan named a Disney Legend was Being Menken . Our table reads with the truly the greatest honor to me . The whole cast are just great memories funny thing is that when I did get for me . Anything to do with the call from Disney , I actually Howard is just a really fond mem - thought it was to let me go and ory . Working with Howard and that they were finding a replace - Alan and of course our directors ment because there was some Ron Clements and John Musker change being made in the voiceover as well . community . And so it was quite a Jodi with family One of the funny things that turn of events when I was asked if I at the premiere of Ralph Breaks the happened was I kept hitting the would fly out to L.A . and be in - Internet microphone with my hands . I’m ducted as a Disney Legend . I kind Italian so I use my hands a lot of dropped the phone . I didn’t 2 0 | O R L A N D O F A M I L Y | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 | O R L A N D O F A M I L Y M A G A Z I N E . C O M