A startling discovery has shaken Kristen Bell this week: her voice, recorded years ago, is now central to a new podcast series about the life of Jesus produced by Fox News Media.
The podcast, titled “The Life of Jesus,” is a 52-episode audio drama intended to chronicle the story of Christ. It features a cast of over 100 actors, with Bell unexpectedly listed as the voice of Mary Magdalene.
The actress reportedly learned of her involvement only when Fox News reached out to invite her onto “Fox & Friends” just before the public announcement. Her representatives have stated unequivocally that she never authorized the reuse of her earlier recording.
The origin of the audio dates back fifteen years to 2010, when Bell lent her voice to Mary Magdalene in “The Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible,” a full New Testament audiobook. This project boasted a remarkable cast including Brian Cox and Sean Astin.
A key producer from the original audiobook project now works with Gulfstream Studios, the company licensing the podcast to Fox Faith. This connection suggests the current series isn’t a new recording, but a repurposing of existing material.
John Rhys-Davies, who voiced the Apostle Peter in the 2010 audiobook, also expressed surprise, confirming he was unaware of the podcast’s use of his previous work. The revelation raises questions about consent and compensation for the actors involved.
Adding another layer of complexity, Brian Cox, identified as the voice of God in the podcast, has publicly criticized Fox News, famously calling it “the devil.” This creates a striking irony surrounding his participation.
The launch of Fox Faith, intended as a significant expansion into religious media, now faces scrutiny. The network has yet to address whether the original performers were informed or financially compensated for the reuse of their recordings.
The situation highlights a concerning precedent regarding the rights of voice actors and the potential for older recordings to be repurposed without explicit permission, sparking a debate about ownership and creative control.
