Lea Salonga, Jodi Benson, Paige O'Hara, and Anika Noni Rose named 2011 Disney Legends! — Page 3

Here's video of the performances-

Paige O'Hara: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0Ycl3dtPyg&feature=player_embedded

Lea Salonga: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fREsDSnT_2A&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Anika Noni Rose: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvxxkU-AscA&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Jodi Benson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgsb87-X1Sc&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Biy-eJ2uwwE&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Good lord, what happened to Paige O'Hara's voice? That was awful.

The other three ladies, however, all sounded fantastic.

In answer to the poster above, yes, Jodi Benson thanked God at the beginning of her remarks and ended by citing John 5:15; at one point she referred to her Disney work as her "ministry." But what the hell? It was her time and the references to her faith were sincere without being judgmental or condescending.

Good lord. The problem is, she has been rather judgmental before, particularly on the gay marriage issue. There's a reason (besides wanting to be home with her kids) she doesn't work on Broadway anymore.

However, like Gaveston2 said Paige tries not to sound like a teenager anymore these days since she is over 50.

Of the 4, the only one who still tries to do that is Benson.

Thanks to beautywickedlover and best12bars for correcting my mistakes. (Best, I went back and corrected my unfortunate reference to the "death" of Robert Sherman. I was told he died by someone connected with the show yesterday. Thank God I didn't repeat the misinformation to his brother!)

And thanks for the video links, guys. It wouldn't have occurred to me to look for them so soon.

As for Paige's singing, I don't agree. I thought she sounded great, especially live. It's ironic that she's known for voice-over work because in many ways Paige is a throwback to the days when people sang without microphones.

But her arrangement was rewritten right up to the night before the show and she was the only woman singing songs not specifically written for her voice. So maybe she wasn't quite as sure of some of the notes in the transition to her upper register or maybe some don't like the BATB songs sung in that style.

I saw her in the Judy Garland musical linked above and she was amazing, singing in Garland's original keys.

I didn't know that about Benson's opposition to gay marriage.

She doesn't talk about it in mainstream publications, but she discussed the importance of the "traditional family" led by "one man and one woman" in those Christian publications all the time. The first time I saw one, it was deeply upsetting. I do wonder if she realizes how many gay men love The Little Mermaid, LOL.

Well, the lovely autograph she gave me was for the biological granddaughter of my gay husband. So the revolution is sometimes a guerrilla war and we fight it when and where we can. LOL.

LOL! Nice!!!

"As for Paige's singing, I don't agree. I thought she sounded great, especially live. It's ironic that she's known for voice-over work because in many ways Paige is a throwback to the days when people sang without microphones.

But her arrangement was rewritten right up to the night before the show and she was the only woman singing songs not specifically written for her voice. So maybe she wasn't quite as sure of some of the notes in the transition to her upper register or maybe some don't like the BATB songs sung in that style."


I re-watched Paige's performance and I actually liked it more that time around. My mom also thought she sounded very nice. I especially liked her "Be Our Guest."

Updated On: 8/20/11 at 09:56 PM

Sorry, you're not gonna convince me on that one!

I'll respectfully disagree that that was a good performance, but god bless her, she looked like she was having a blast.

I think it's weird that Benson is Anti-Gay with her Close Friendship with Howard Ashman, employment with Disney and On Broadway and all. and the woman is still unaccepting? very sad.

She's Catholic, so she's not as fire and brimstone as some, but is of the "love the sinner, hate the sin" mentality.

It's too bad we have to make them compete.

I loved Judy Kuhn in SUNSET BOULEVARD.

Miss Rose was quite wonderful singing "I'm Almost There" at the Legends ceremony and was an absolute doll at the luncheon later, even though she was rushing to leave early to get to an audition.

I hope it didn't seem I was snarking at you, beautywickedlover, not after your very kind remarks about my friend.

I really have no insight into the selection process and it isn't my impression that Paige or the other nominees were told anything about it.

But there was quiet talk among people I didn't know that the selection of Rose may have been politically motivated.

My feeling is set forth in a post above: Rose is terrific in PRINCESS AND THE FROG and it isn't HER fault it took Disney half-a-century to write an African-American princess. If she hadn't got the award this year, she would have in a future year.

As for women I love such as Kuhn and Na, I assume their times will come (unless they have chosen to distance themselves from the company for some reason).

I'm sure one of the big factors in the decision was who could attend the ceremony and perform. Ming-Na and Irene Bodard wouldn't be able to do that, obviously. That doesn't explain the absence of Kuhn, however.