As an African American female voice actress, I am very passionate about this topic.
I consider myself to be an advocate of celebrating diversity on purpose since I was a teen, so focusing that same attention on representation in voiceover matters a lot to me.
I am optimistic about the prospect of more diverse stories being voiced in all aspects of media. I’m also very optimistic about having more opportunities to use my voice as a vocal chameleon while still being authentic to who I am.
A major push has been made to include voices of color in telling our collective stories, not only in niche markets. Social media has shown us that various voices can be extremely relatable to viewers based on common ground that goes far beyond assumed biases.
If “Reesa Teesa” on TikTok taught us anything, it’s that if you’re a relatable storyteller you can keep millions of diverse people listening to what you have to say episode after episode.
We also know more consumers and audiences respond favorably to content they see as multicultural and inclusive, which should be no surprise. Why would we prefer to make generic content that doesn’t reflect our lived-in world?
It’s been amazing to personally see many more requests for African-American voices and Women’s voices for genres we were rarely considered for before. I also love being brought in to join projects by a creative team that wants to make sure the voiceover cast reflects that same diversity seen on the screen.
When it comes to BIPOC characters, culture can often be at the core of their stories. Audiences want to identify with characters genuinely, not just stereotypes or caricatures with funny accents added as a token for comic relief.
Unless you are referring to Tolkien from South Park who is a brilliant addition to the cast.
Being mindful of this when casting actors who share a lived experience with the character on screen can make a bigger difference in combatting stereotypes than many people realize.
For Black voiceover talent terms like “urban”, “ghetto”, or “sassy” have been overused to cue a particular and often stereotypical performance. As an actor, it would be much more helpful to give us fully realized characters to play or specific audiences to aim to reach and let us find the appropriate tone the same way any other actor would. Allowing Actors the freedom to challenge and possibly exceed expectations is a great way to get an honest and truly stand-out performance.
Diversity also means more than just including images of diverse characters while ignoring diversity when it comes to casting voices. Being invisible to the audience should not equate to being overlooked as an artist.
Many actors love the challenge of playing roles different from who they are in real life but we are more in need of more opportunities for actors who are often left out of casting considerations, even for characters who reflect their own identities. Downplaying or dismissing this can not only lead to less impactful performances but also may limit your access to amazing new talent.
“Who can be against diversity?” – Matt Groening
I am encouraged by this response to conversations and actions inspired by the documentary “The Problem With Apu”. Of course, the fun of animation is hiring skilled actors who can portray multiple voices if needed, but as Matt Groening also stated “…to be more inclusive and hire more people, I’m completely in favor of that!”
This is why I believe representation in voiceover matters – for both opportunity and authenticity.
It’s amazing to see how authentic casting resonates with audiences, like how a simple barbershop scene in the movie “Soul” became one of the movie’s most memorable and relatable moments because of how real it felt to viewers. I believe that’s the power of inclusivity when it comes to creating accurate cultural representation.
“As long as the voice fits” can sound like a phrase that allows actors more freedom but more often it has been an excuse to not bother to invite actors of color to the creative table.
There has been a default “go-to” sound when seeking voices for so long that the idea of being the voice that “fits the mainstream” can also feel elusive if you identify with a marginalized group. Being used to hearing a more typical sound should not devalue other voices.
There is also the art of “Code Switching”. Many BIPOC voice actors are skilled at alternating between language varieties, dialects, slang, and tones based on who they are speaking to. This should be celebrated like actors who alternate between different languages, but BIPOC actors shouldn’t have to depend on this skill just to be included, or taken seriously.
BIPOC Actors are also not a monolith, so there will be many mainstream-sounding voices as well as nuanced or accented voices among us.
“Asian” refers to nearly 5 billion people on our planet, so, of course, the various people that term includes from China to India to The Philippines to Los Angeles to Westchester County shouldn’t be reduced to the same generic sound or stereotypical “FOB” accent.
Latin and Hispanic voice actors may share a language but don’t all speak one dialect. Requesting someone who speaks Spanish may not be specific enough. Even if your project is in English consider how being mindful of this can help you connect better with audiences who want to hear their specific cultures reflected.
Even terms like “African-American” can include a diaspora of nationalities, cultural nuances, and regional accents, so don’t shy away from being specific or being broad with purpose as you hone in on what you need for your project.
Some may argue that they “do not see (or hear) color”, but that’s a saying that I find may be well-intentioned but isn’t ideal. Race or Gender or any other aspect of what makes us who we are should be celebrated, seen, and heard, and may mean relatable subtleties that someone simply impersonating it won’t catch.
Hearing color should not mean opportunities are automatically limited or that BIPOC voices are less relatable to general audiences.
Requesting LGBTQIA+ representation when casting voices helps to avoid tropes and encourages real relatable storytelling. Including nonbinary and genderfluid actors as an option when casting opens more doors for more great performances from actors who may not feel seen as a valued option without that invitation. Challenging gender binaries and personal biases in voiceover creates even more opportunities to connect with your listeners.
If you are working on a project and looking for a voice to authentically portray a specific disability or condition, there are professional disabled voice actors available. There is power in the voices of speakers like Sarah Vazquez who’s the epitome of someone whose “energy, and words influence minds and hearts”, and hearing her words about self-advocacy from the perspective of a woman with Cerebral Palsy relates to listeners of all abilities.
Humanity lives on a beautiful spectrum.
DEI efforts can get a bad rap for being divisive by some but I see it as a push for respect and awareness that makes us collectively stronger.
I strongly believe that being proud of who you are as a unique part of this huge world we all live in is more unifying than divisive when we value what we all bring to the whole.
Maybe growing up and currently living in one of the most diverse places on the planet, Queens NY, where over 800 languages are proudly spoken, is why it feels like a benefit to me to be surrounded by so many different types of people and yet feel a collective bond.
It’s depressing to think of a world where everyone looks, acts, thinks, and sounds the same. The same applies to media content and creative projects.
Hearing color ultimately adds to our storytelling.
Hearing all the aspects and nuances of a person’s voice is what makes every voice so unique.
So before we ask “Why does it matter what color they are?”, I ask are we limiting ourselves and our content by not being proactive about diversity?
I see nothing but benefit in encouraging advertisers to diversify both their talent rosters and their casting practices. It’s a myth that this excludes talent or negatively impacts listeners. The truth is that it makes more listeners and performers feel genuinely considered.
And I do not like how many African American voice actors have just resigned themselves to the idea that they don’t sound “black enough”, or that sounding “too black” stops them from being considered for more projects. I believe there should be no hierarchy in sounding articulate & scholarly vs urban & poetic, and contrary to popular belief how you sound is not automatically dictated by living in the “hood” or “suburbia”. Instead, I always encourage us all to proudly add our voices to the cumulative definition of what blackness sounds like so that we can continue to challenge biases and honor true diversity.
Black Women’s voices can mean Viola Davis, Zendaya, Oprah Winfrey, Kerry Washington, Michelle Obama, Alicia Keys, Cree Summer, Amanda Gorman, Regina King, Debra Wilson, Rashida Jones, Leslie Jones, MC Lyte, Ayo Edebiri, Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross, or @ReesaTeesa… the range of our vocal impact is limitless.
I think of this every time there’s a new “First person to…” announced who’s broken down barriers or glass ceilings and hope their achievement will lead to making space for others like them. That’s not just a reason to celebrate a win for diversity but it’s a reminder to acknowledge how much work we still have to do to be truly inclusive.
You will see many more voice actors proudly representing their races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, genders, and sexual orientations in hopes that this can make it easier to find the authentic voice representation you need.
I also love this quote from a fellow voice actor Matthew Parham, Director of Operations at the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA), who said “The first thing you see may be the last thing someone thinks of themselves.” It’s been refreshing to hear more creatives ask for voice actors to bring their own personalities and real selves to scripts and that gives so many more of us the freedom to bring our personal truths to the mic.
It just takes awareness, intention, and a little bit of extra effort to work together and commit to diversity in voiceover. Projects like Stand for Sonic Diversity are a perfect example of what that can look like! This thoughtful campaign has directly impacted my career for the better and features some exceptional VO peers in their launch video.
I’m also a proud member of Blue Wave Voiceover, a collective of freelance professional political voiceover actors who look and sound like America today. This is another brilliant initiative made by voice actors to encourage inclusive casting and authentic representation.
As the voiceover landscape continues to evolve and grow I hope diversity efforts continue until diversity becomes the standard.
Until then, many efforts are being made to make sure databases of diverse talent are available and shared widely (like the PGM list), so please don’t hesitate to ask for specific recommendations beyond what we may personally represent ourselves. I’ve found that this huge global industry of voiceover artists is overwhelmingly supportive of each other as one truly diverse community! Reach out for recommendations for colleagues, lists, and resources at nophi.vo@cenophia.com. I’ll be glad to share any I know or help you find what you need!
I’m currently on the board of directors of The City Kids Foundation, an organization that has been a safe multicultural space for me since I was a young member and empowered me to use my voice as a performer, creative, and change-maker. I will continue to encourage and motivate others to be advocates for diversity through the arts and beyond.
‘Each one reach one. Each one teach one. Each one pull one back into the sun.’
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