 Disney had originally considered casting Jodi Benson from The Little Mermaid as Belle . They eventually decided upon Broadway actress and singer Paige O 'Hara in favor of having a heroine who sounded " more like a woman than a girl " . According to co @-@ director Kirk Wise , O 'Hara was given the role because she " had a unique quality , a tone she would hit that made her special " , reminiscent to that of American actress and singer Judy Garland . O 'Hara , who , after reading about the film in The New York Times , competed for the role against 500 hopefuls , believes the fact that lyricist Howard Ashman admired her cast recording of the musical Show Boat proved integral in her being cast . 
