Jodi Benson Supports 'The Little Mermaid' Lyrics Change Allowing Consent, Manipulation

Jodi Benson, the original voice actress for Ariel in the 1989 animated film "The Little Mermaid," has weighed in on the several lyric changes on the songs on the new live-action adaptation of the Disney classic.

This came after conversations about the lyrical changes that came about in selected songs on the new film. Composer Alan Menken has explained the same topic before, noting why the change is necessary as the tides have turned.

Jodi Benson Defends 'The Little Mermaid' Lyric Changes

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Jodi Benson defended the 2023 film's decision to change the lyrics of some songs accordingly to adapt to contemporary times.

"We're talking about starting our [voiceover] sessions in '86 [for the original film]. It's 2023, so we have to grow, we have to learn, we have to be aware of our surroundings. We've got to be aware of our growth as humans and what's important now and what maybe isn't as important," she told the outlet.

For Benson, things change inevitably, and as humans, "we've got to roll with that" while still having 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," she added.

This wasn't the first time that Benson had been outspoken on the criticisms that the new production faced. During the blue-carpet premiere of "The Little Mermaid" in Los Angeles earlier this month, Benson was very delighted to see Halle Bailey and has nothing but good words for the young actress.

Bailey faced backlash at the time of the casting announcement because of her race and how casting a black person would be a deviation from the original material.

Alan Menken Ordered 'The Little Mermaid' Lyric Changes

Speaking to Vanity Fair at the time, composer Alan Menken had some adjustments on "Kiss The Girl." He noted that the change was made to not give an impression of Prince Eric "would, in any way, force himself" on Ariel.

"Poor Unfortunate Souls" was also affected as lyrics were changed to not give young girls an impression that they shouldn't speak out of turn.

But despite the adjustments, "Encanto" creator Lin Manuel Miranda also added three new songs - "Scuttlebutt," "Wild Uncharted Waters," and "The Impossible Child."

"The Little Mermaid" premieres May 26, 2023, in the United States.

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Halle Bailey, The Little Mermaid