ATLANTA — Fandoms will unite Memorial Day weekend in Atlanta to bask in exclusive meet-and-greets, panels and activities - all part of Momocon, a convention celebrating "geek culture."
One of the esteemed guests gracing the Georgia World Congress Center is famed voice actress Jodi Benson. Benson, a North Georgia resident and actress, is best-known for bringing Ariel to life in Disney's 1989 animated film "The Little Mermaid."
She discussed what she's most excited about for one of Atlanta's major conventions and what's next for her.
'The Little Mermaid' legacy
"When it comes to 'The Little Mermaid' and the future, it's all silent," Benson teased in a remote interview.
With the franchise inspiring adaptations and spinoffs, Benson did say she is still dipping her fins in different projects based on the beloved film that will all be on the Disney+ streaming app.
Benson, who recently passed the "fork," aka "dinglehopper," to Atlanta artist Halle Bailey for the live-action remake, said she's not currently working with her. A stark supporter of the remake and Bailey, Benson said she hopes they can collaborate in the future.
"I know that Ariel is alive and doing great, and I'm in the studio all the time working on so many wonderful projects that unfortunately I can't talk about - but we're excited," she shared.
A philanthropic heart
At her core, Benson is a performer. She, however, holds a few causes near and dear to her heart.
"I'm really passionate about Smiley for Kylie and CURE, which is based here in Atlanta for childhood cancer research," she explained.
The two metro Atlanta organizations support initiatives and raise funds for targeted research to better understand and, hopefully, cure pediatric cancer.
Benson's niece, Kylie Meyers died from cancer days before her 13th birthday. Benson tries to raise awareness any chance she gets.
"That was her dying wish, was that we could help kill children's cancer, so that's what the family is, is very strong and passionate about," she emphasized.
The actress also expressed her love for Give Kids The World Village, an 89-acre whimsical nonprofit resort near Orlando that collaborates with the Make-A-Wish-Foundation and Make-A-Wish families. The goal is to provide children with critical illnesses, and their families, with magical wish vacations at no cost.
"For one week, an entire family gets to come down and have a magical week in Orlando doing all sorts of fun things," she explained.
Benson will actually be moving to Orlando for a month over Memorial Day Weekend to do a production of "Hello Dolly!" in June. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the village.
Voice acting work looks different
Known for her pinnacle Disney princess role, Benson said her booth now looks different.
In part, she said "now you can record anywhere in the world."
This particularly came in handy during the COVID-19 pandemic when working in-person was nearly impossible.
"I was in London actually working on 'The Little Mermaid' live-action, and I was in the hotel room, literally locked up pretty much for a month because we are in the midst COVID," she recalled.
She joked that doing auditions from her hotel closet was still professional, even with hanging clothes around her.
Though there are merits to being able to do work anywhere, she said she does miss how voice acting would be in the 80s.
"I really do miss the camaraderie of being together as a cast, building off of each other's chemistry, developing those relationships behind the mic," she said.
Jodi Benson at Atlanta's Momocon
The voice of Ariel herself said she doesn't have to swim far to get to this convention.
With a home on Lake Lanier in north Georgia, Benson said she's looking forward to driving down to see fans, as well as friends and family, who come by through the weekend.
"Also, I'm excited because my dear, dear friend Linda Larkin, who is the speaking voice of Jasmine, is going to join me in Atlanta," she said. "So, whenever I get to see one of my girls, one of my 'Princess Posse' girls, and one of Disney legend girls, I'm so excited that we get to have a little visit after every show and just get to catch up as friends."
What's next for Jodi Benson?
Well, it appears she'll likely be on camera.
"I'm very excited that it's going to be a really great year," she said of 2024.
Benson teased that she's filming four episodes of a Netflix show - giving fans familiar with her voice a chance to see her on screen.
"Again, (it's) something I can't talk about, but I'm having so much fun on camera because it's just been so long - decades - since I've done something like that on camera, and I'm having a blast," she said.
Describing the project as having a cast that is "so king and gracious" to let her join "their established hit show," she said she feels like a member of the family.
As it's convention season, she's also traveling the world to meet fans. From Ariel enthusiasts to Barbie and Thumbelina appreciators, Benson said she values the time to meet people face-to-face.
"I think I have 15 more this year, so it's going to be a lot of travel, but a lot of fun," she said. "I meet the most amazing people and I love to hear their stories of what Ariel or my characters mean to them."
To learn how you can meet Benson while she's in Atlanta, visit Momocon's website.