Fox News Media’s bold midweek announcement lit the fuse on an unexpected storm, declaring that its religious vertical Fox Faith was expanding with a new project titled The Life of Jesus Podcast. The 52-episode series, hosted by Ainsley Earhardt, promised to guide listeners through the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus Christ, featuring more than 100 “notable actors,” including Kristen Bell as Mary Magdalene (Per Rolling Stone).
Bell’s representative confirmed to Rolling Stone that the actress had voiced Mary Magdalene for The Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible nearly 15 years ago, and no permission was granted for Fox Faith to rework that audio into a brand-new series.
Representatives later confirmed to TheWrap that Bell was blindsided by the entire rollout and that no member of her team had approved the press release.
When Did Kristen Bell Find Out Her Voice Was Used in The Life of Jesus Podcast Without Consent?
A day after Fox News unveiled its new religious vertical, spotlighting The Life of Jesus Podcast as its banner series, Rolling Stone revealed that Kristen Bell had no inkling her work was being reintroduced to the world under a new banner. She had originally portrayed Mary Magdalene for the 2010 Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible, and no one disclosed that those recordings were resurfacing on a conservative platform.
Her team wasn’t notified by Fox, Gulfstream Studios, or anyone associated with the updated production. Instead, Bell’s staff pieced it together when Fox & Friends extended an invitation for her to promote the very podcast she did not know existed. Variety’s coverage became the first confirmation for her side, prompting her team to assess the legalities of Fox Faith reusing 15-year-old audio without explicit permission.
The 52-episode series slots Bell alongside a notable ensemble: Brian Cox, Neal McDonough, Sean Astin, Malcolm McDowell, John Rhys-Davies, and Julia Ormond. In a statement to TheWrap, Fox News said Gulfstream Studios licensed the audiobook with “full cooperation,” though multiple reps say otherwise.
More Celebrities Entangled in the Fox Podcast Controversy in Addition to Kristen Bell
Fox’s high-profile cast list quickly collided with a wave of actor confusion. The Life of Jesus Podcast, touted as a star-laden biblical series, appears to be stitched largely from archival audio recorded for the Truth & Life Dramatized Audio Bible in 2010. Yet several actors promoted as current participants say they had no idea the project existed.
Representatives for Malcolm McDowell confirmed he contributed to a biblical project 15 years ago and had “no knowledge these recordings were being redistributed as a podcast until this week.” Entertainment Weekly also learned that several stars had not signed on for any modern reinterpretation.
Kristen Bell’s representative reiterated to Rolling Stone that she never gave permission for her decade-old audio to be used in a Fox Faith series and only learned of it after Fox & Friends made a promotional request. The Fox spokesperson maintains the licensing was fully approved.
However, Rolling Stone uncovered an email from a producer urging at least one actor to “not mention that this audio New Testament Bible was produced years ago” in order to preserve the illusion of a fresh production. Representatives for John Rhys-Davies and Brian Cox both said their clients had only learned of their inclusion this week.
Entertainment Weekly reached out to other performers and Gulfstream Studios for comment as the controversy continues to spread. What do you think? Should legacy recordings be fair game, or should artists always be asked before their past work becomes tomorrow’s headline? Drop your thoughts below. And for more fiery updates, follow FandomWire.
The Life of Jesus Podcast airs in four seasonal batches. The first 13 episodes premiere on November 30, followed by releases during Christmas, Lent, and Palm Sunday.
