Part of my world by Jodi Benson

 

Published on September 13th, 2022 by Tyndale Momentum

304 pages

I read the paperback version

Back Cover

Join Disney Legend Jodi Benson on a magical journey from a Midwestern town to the bright lights of Broadway and the recording booth where she brought one of the most beloved Disney princesses of all time to life!

A treasure trove of colorful characters and unforgettable anecdotes, Part of My World reads like a real-life fairy tale as a girl with a big voice and even bigger dreams sets out on the adventure of a lifetime. Along the way, Jodi shares lessons she's learned about faith, friendship, love, loss, taking chances, making mistakes, following God’s call, and chasing your dreams. In Part of My World you’ll come alongside Jodi as she struggles to find her footing in the rehearsal halls of Manhattan; finds (then loses, then marries) her prince charming; makes a splash on Broadway; gives voice to a feisty redheaded mermaid, a blonde bombshell named Barbie, and a Tony-nominated powerhouse named Polly; and searches for her own personal happily ever after.

Written with warmth, humor, and disarming vulnerability, Part of My World is a captivating glimpse behind the curtain at the making of one of the most celebrated animated movies of all time, and a must-read for Disney fans of all ages.

My review

I had to say that I don’t really have a favorite Disney princess. I can relate more to Belle since I read a lot, Aladdin is the movie I watched the most and I cried when I saw Jodi Benson singing Part of your world at Montreal Comiccon. It’s hard to choose just one.

If you are a Disney fan, it’s a book to read. I enjoyed to know more about what happened in her life and the behind the scene of The little mermaid. You don’t even have to be a fan; I suggest it as well if you like voice acting or Broadway in general. She also talked about her experience in New York.

The biography is a bit different from what I was excepted, but I enjoyed reading it. Lately, I realized that everyone has a story to tell and I think you can find inspiration in it and not only because she was the voice of Ariel. She talked about her struggles and the joy she had since she became an adult. I think most of people will be able to relate to that. I would say the chapter where she talked about her friendship with Howard Ashman  is the one that made me cry.

Excerpts

The thing is, Jodi didn’t just play Ariel; Jodi is Ariel. She has that same adorable innocence about her-wide-eyed, optimistic, bubbling with enthusiasm, always believing the best about everyone, and seeing everything om a positive light. (p.XI)

Sing it perfectly and you’ll still have a beautiful song, but you’ll lose what makes Ariel, Ariel. And I just love her! I love how she loves life. I love how she savors every moment and delights in every experience. I love the way she sees the beauty in even most mundane things. (p.5)

In addiction to being Ariel’s signature song, it’s also become mine. I’ve sung " Part of Your World " at least once a week for more than 30 years now. It’s a staple at every concert and event I do. I’ve sung it at wedding receptions, birthdays, anniversaries, and memorial services, and do you know what? I never get tired of it. (p.13)

" You’re your own enemy. " he used to tell me., and he was right. Singing is, by its nature, very emotional, which means a lot of your performance is internal. Once you have it in your mind that you can’t do something, it’s over. You’ve got to believe in yourself, and that kind of faith can’t come from someone else; it has to come from you. (p.24)

You’re not going to get on a plane and fly all the way across the country just because he says he misses you. He needs to figure out if he just misses being in a relationship or if he misses being in a relationship with you. " (p.62)

Like any industry, if you work hard, continue to hone your craft, and seize every opportunity as it comes, you can make it work. (p.70)

That’s the key to making a character work : You’ve got to find some of you in them. It’s the only way your performance will ever be real, vulnerable, and authentic. You don’t want to just present a character; you want to embody that person. (p.86)

And God bless Patrick Dempsey. It was obvious he knew what he was doing, and he was so patient while I tried to figure it out. (p.225)