Right now, there are two movies dominating the zeitgeist: The Little Mermaid and Barbie. The former comes out on May 26, while the latter drops on July 21 (So long!).
Both movies are based on beloved IPs that have stood the test of decades, so what if I told you there’s an unexpected connection between two of the biggest hallmarks of childhood for so many?
Alright, so let’s start with The Little Mermaid. Based on a fairy tale, it came to prominence in 1989 as an animated Disney movie. But that’s not what really matters right now.
What does is the voice of Ariel in the film.
That’s Jodi Benson. She voiced Ariel in the film, as well as its 2000 sequel, 2008 prequel, and a ‘90s TV show. Oh, and Ralph Breaks the Internet, too.
Alright, now onto Barbie. Barbie is…Barbie! There’s no other way to put it. The doll by the toy company Mattel was introduced to the world in 1959 and has never left.
Barbie is also a character in the Toy Story franchise. She appears in all three sequels but not the first film. Because Barbie is an animated character in the film, that means she’s voiced by an actor.
Do you see where this is going?
The actor that voices Barbie in the Toy Story movies is…Jodi Benson!
Be honest, did you know this already? Because I just learned that Jodi voiced both characters, and it was honestly a delightful surprise.
All this to say, if you needed more reason to love Jodi, I hope this was it.
Oh, and she’s also in Enchanted, too. An icon!
