For the past 20 years, the identity of the woman behind EVA in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater has been a closely guarded secret. The actor credited with the role is Suzetta Miñet, but that name is a pseudonym for a much more famous voiceover artist, a new video from Konami promoting the upcoming Metal Gear Solid 3 remake reveals.
The third episode of the Metal Gear Solid Legacy Series, hosted by David Hayter, reveals that the actor behind EVA (aka Tatyana) in Snake Eater is Jodi Benson. She’s best known for her roles as Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Barbie in Pixar’s Toy Story franchise. Benson said in a discussion with Hayter and Lori Alan (the voice of the Boss) that the choice to go with a pseudonym for her role in Metal Gear Solid 3 was her decision, but one that was informed by the game’s voice acting director.
Benson explained that because “the various projects that I am affiliated with in my career are family-based, children-based,” voice acting director Kris Zimmerman suggested that she go with a pseudonym.
“Our director, she sat down with me and she’s was like, ‘Maybe we need to change your name,’” Benson recalled. “So she asked me, ‘What was your dog’s name growing up?’ and I said, ‘Suzette Monet.’ So she’s like, ‘You know what? Let’s build on that. How about Suzetta?’ How about instead of Monet, like the artist, we’ll do Miñet?’ and I was like, ‘Sounds like a deal.’”
Benson, Zimmerman, and the rest of the Metal Gear Solid 3 voice cast weren’t the only ones to know about Suzetta Miñet’s alter ego. According to Benson, seven years ago, at a unnamed convention “where we meet and greet with wonderful fans,” someone slipped a copy of Snake Eater to her, apparently for Benson to sign. “I said, ‘Why are you bringing me that?’” she recalled. “And he says, ‘Because you’re in it.’ And I said ‘Do you know? Do you know my deep, dark secret?’ and he said, ‘Yes!’ I said ‘Shh… keep it quiet.’”
Benson’s work as the voice of EVA will continue in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. She and other members of the cast have recorded new lines for the still undated remake, which is bound for PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.
