Just so y'all know, I'm convinced that vibrato-ey voice was a character choice for the role of Polly. You've all heard her sing the entire 'Little Mermaid' score...did you hear that vibrato anywhere in that recording?
I went to the same college as Jodi....Millikin University. During homecoming of my freshman year, she came back to do a concert with the show choir that I was in. She was an absolute dream to work with. I was shocked when she was singing to hear none of the vibrato from 'Crazy for You'. What I did hear, though, was one of the most versatile voices I've ever heard before in my life. She sang quite a few standards like 'Our Love Is Here To Stay' with a smokey, loungy sound and lots of Disney stuff with the typical Disney voice....do you have any idea how thrilling it is to stand backstage and watch her sing 'Part Of Your World'? I still get chills thinking about it. She also sang songs from Beauty and the Beast, Pocohontas, and Hunchback.
My mother made a video of the concert....the only one in existence. She was approached by an usher about recording it, but there was no notice in the program and no announcement made saying not to record it. Thankfully she stood her ground and was able to continue recording. I have that entire thrilling concert on video now!
As for being a Christian, she was and is. I think it's great to see performers who believe! She offered a prayer before the concert with our entire showchoir. Truly a wonderful experience. She's one of the nicest, most genuine people I've ever met. And....talented to boot.
Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says, "I will try again tomorrow."
