There are a few pop culture figures that not only defined our childhoods, but truly served as a zeitgeist of our culture. Disney is responsible for a good portion of them. Almost every Gen X and Millennial kid grew up with a favorite character, and if Disney princesses were your thing, you without a doubt had strong opinions on which was your favorite. Behind every perfectly drawn face was a voice that made the cartoon come to life, and the women behind the animation of both “Belle” and “Ariel” did just that.
So to see the original Ariel’s Jodi Benson, 63, and Belle’s Paige O’Hara, 69, onstage together during the World Princess Week, it is nothing short of iconic.
@thehijabibounder The duo I needed #jodibenson #paigeohara #belle #ariel #worldprincessweek
♬ original sound – Sabeen
The pair performed at the Disney Princess Concert: Celebrating 70 Years of Disneyland singing a medley of their respective film’s most iconic songs, each wearing blue and gold gowns as a nod to their beloved characters. The celebration also included a performance by Auli‘i Cravalho (Moana) and Anika Noni Rose (The Princess and the Frog). The event was hosted by Ginnifer Goodwin, who played Snow in Disney’s Once Upon a Time series and voiced Judy Hopps in Zootopia, and Susan Egan, the voice of Megara in Hercules. The concert was filmed in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. Disney fans were utterly enthralled with the duet in particular and basked in the glory of nostalgia online.
“The way I would be BAWLING. Snot flying. Ugly tears. What a dream,” confessed one fan.
“This. This is my childhood,” simply stated another.
“I love these two women they are true Golden Girls,” added another.
Those who did not get a chance to see the performance live will get the opportunity to catch it on YouTube on August 29, and it will upload to Disney+ at a later date.
Related: Jodi Benson’s Daughter Portrays Ariel on Stage as Mom Watches Proudly: ‘Looks and Sounds Just Like Her’
What Is Disney World Princess Week and What’s Happening During It?
Disney World Princess Week typically runs the last week of August into September and is a celebration of the legacy these characters have had on kids across the world. In addition to the concert, 2025’s celebration includes a “Royal Ride Along” with Benson doing an interview with singer Lauren Paley as she rides through Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure Park. There is also currently a new special LEGO Disney Princess: Villains Unite streaming on Disney+.
Of course there is a host of new products, including both new Mattel and Lego sets as well as adorable costume dresses. There are Disney Princess-inspired bracelets from Little Words Project that feature inspirational phrases like “Be Kind” and “Watch Me Soar,” and a new army of Disney Store Exclusive Disney Princess Squishmallows that come in a box set.
For the adults, Kendra Scott has two new princess-inspired necklaces while Pandora has new stackable rings. And finally, the Disney Store has an Exclusive Cinderella and Rapunzel Pullover Sweatshirt by Cakeworthy and the Cinderella The Clock Strikes Midnight Blue Swing Dress from Unique Vintage.
So whether you have a Disney princess obsessed kid or are a full blown “Disney adult” ourself, there’s a lot to celebrate this week that you don’t want to miss.
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