WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for The Little Mermaid (2023)!The actress who voiced Ariel in the original 1989 animated movie makes a fitting cameo in Rotten Tomatoes score for Disney’s The Little Mermaid remake, the 2023 movie is victorious in bringing new life to the classic tale for another generation.
While plenty of changes are made to the 2023 adaptation of The Little Mermaid’s story, the remake still pays homage to the beloved classic that came before. One of the greatest hidden tributes to the 1989 movie is the brief appearance of Ariel’s original actress Jodi Benson, who provided the speaking and singing voice for the red-haired mermaid, as well as Ursula's alter-ego Vanessa. Considering Benson’s role in The Little Mermaid was animated, her cameo in the live-action remake is an exciting opportunity to reveal to many what the original Ariel looks like in real life. Additionally, Jodi Benson’s fun The Little Mermaid cameo scene has a touching meaning for Halle Bailey’s introduction as Ariel.
Where Jodi Benson Appears In The Little Mermaid Remake
Jodi Benson makes a cameo in The Little Mermaid remake as an unnamed vendor at the market where Ariel and Eric go on their excursion into town. Benson’s character gives Ariel a bowl of food from her stand, later ing her a fork (or “dinglehopper”) that Ariel uses to brush her hair. Before Halle Bailey’s Ariel puts down the fork, Benson’s character is seen with a look of shock and confusion on her face, an ironic detail given her original character had also used a fork as a hairbrush. The scene occurs shortly before The Little Mermaid’s “Kiss the Girl” song, though Jodi Benson sadly doesn’t showcase her singing voice in the live-action movie.
Jodi Benson's The Little Mermaid Cameo Has A Touching Deeper Meaning
The circumstances for Jodi Benson’s The Little Mermaid cameo are too perfect to be coincidental, as her scene also has a symbolic meaning as a touching of the torch. The Little Mermaid’s use of a fork as a hairbrush has become an iconic aspect of the beloved Disney princess, so the fact that Benson is ing Bailey the “dinglehopper” is meant to represent the original Ariel handing over the reins and responsibility of the character to the new Ariel. While Benson will always be the original and animated Ariel, her cameo scene is gives a symbolic blessing to Bailey as she takes over the iconic mermaid.
While it’s unclear if The Little Mermaid 2 will happen, a potential sequel could still bring Jodi Benson’s new character back. As a citizen in Eric and Ariel’s kingdom, Benson could serve the royal couple another bowl of food with “dinglehoppers” from her stand. However, to utilize Benson’s cameo in another The Little Mermaid movie to the fullest, the unconfirmed sequel would need to give both Ariels a song together.
