Konami and voice actor David Hayter have officially confirmed that Jodi Benson, the original voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid, secretly portrayed the spy EVA in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater under the pseudonym Suzetta Miñet.
For two whole decades, fans of the tactical espionage classic debated the real identity behind Suzetta Miñet's credit. In the third entry of the series, the spy EVA fought alongside protagonist Naked Snake, immediately securing a prominent place within the lore of the franchise. However, players quickly realized that there was no industry record of an actress by that name, sparking a long community search full of theories and rumors.
The secret behind the pseudonym
The definitive revelation occurred during part three of the documentary series Metal Gear Solid Legacy Series, where legendary voice actor David Hayter sat down on camera with Jodi Benson herself. The performer, globally known for voicing Princess Ariel in the classic Disney animation, Barbie in Toy Story, and the title character in Thumbelina, explained firsthand why her involvement remained hidden for twenty years.
According to the actress, her professional career was predominantly affiliated with family-oriented and children-focused productions. Given the mature and military nature of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, voice director Kris Zimmerman Salter sat down with her to discuss the situation. The director suggested changing her name to prevent potential image conflicts or contractual friction, which led to the creation of the alias that baffled thousands of gamers since the original 2004 release.
A mystery solved for the future of the series
While several sharp-eared fans had suspected Benson due to her distinctive vocal similarity to Disney's mermaid, Konami had never officially acknowledged the fact until now. The character of EVA was not only pivotal in the third numbered game, but she also made a return later in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, sustaining the aura of secrecy surrounding the actress who recorded her lines in the booth.
Benson's vocal performance will be heard once again in the upcoming remake, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (officially stylized as Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater). This technical overhaul is slated for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC, introducing new features such as an optional first-person perspective while preserving the sonic fidelity and original voice lines. Konami has not yet confirmed whether the new credits will retain the Suzetta Miñet pseudonym as a tribute or officially list Benson under her real name.