Hollywood Actress Clings to Power of Prayer: 'God Is in Control'

Legendary voice actor Jodi Benson is a Christian with a deep passion for her faith that has helped shape her life. "It's really neat ... to see the tapestry that God has created and the puzzle pieces that have come together within my career," Benson told CBN News. "But, for me, it's a ministry. I really do feel that God places me exactly where He wants me. He opens the door exactly where He needs me, and it's never usually about the job." She continued, "It's usually about ... a 'God appointment,' a relationship with a cast member, or with a crew or creative team member. It's usually these behind-the-scenes moments that I get — that moment where I go, 'Oh, that's why I'm doing this project.'" Benson is known for voicing Ariel in Disney’s "The Little Mermaid" and Barbie in the "Toy Story" franchise. Most recently, she reprised her role as Nia in season two of the animated hit series "The Wingfeather Saga." These powerful roles beg an important question: how does Benson choose projects? The actress said she relies on God and prayer to pick and choose which roles to take on. "Once I pray about it, and my husband and I are both praying — we both are discussing — we will get an automatic door open or close, and it's pretty clear cut there," she said. "There is not a lot of in-between, which I love." Angel Studios' "The Wingfeather Saga," based on Andrew Peterson's book series by the same name, happened to be one of those open doors through which Benson was pleased to walk. "I really loved this character, and these stories, and being a part of it," she said. "Because there's so much adventure to it." Benson said her entire career — and particularly her landing of the Ariel role in "The Little Mermaid" — has been a "beautiful, wonderful surprise." "My focus was doing ... Broadway musicals — my passion," she said. "And ... this door opened up for me to be able to randomly audition for it, and ... here I am almost 38 years later, and I'm still recording my voice, and still Ariel is a huge part of my life and my family's lives, and we are just so grateful." Ultimately, Benson focuses on her joy and happiness — and faith. She's been blessed to portray "The Little Mermaid," among many other roles, and she's grateful for her life. "[God] is ultimately in control," she said. "He's got everything in His hands. I can put everything onto Him, and trust Him, because I just trust Him — I just do." Hear her explain.