With newer animated releases including Toy Story 5, Goat, and Swapped, conversations surrounding the casting for these roles have sparked controversy online. The concern is largely connected to the use of A-list celebrities for large animated projects as well as the integration of AI.
Who is qualified to voice act? What merits a good actor for these positions and how much of it should remain authentic? A skill overlooked by many as a simple job requires voice training and strong acting skills.
I spoke with Rebecca White—a voice actor—known for her roles in audiobooks, video games, animation, commercials, and more. She is most famous for her voice as the video character Mai Shiranui in Fatal Fury and she has worked with global brands such as Samsung and Pepsi.
Drawing from years of experience, White shared her perspectives on the world of voice acting including the skill set required and the importance of this career. She specified how this work has never historically depended on people of celebrity status but rather training and authenticity.
“Many early Disney characters were voiced by total unknowns, and yet the magic of their acting is some of the most influential and long-lasting amongst animation characters,” said White.
Pitch, tone, characterization, and emotional delivery are just a few of the skills required to develop a believable animated character.
Recently, Netflix used AI to generate Gene Wilder’s voice for a new show “Wonka’s The Golden Ticket.” This was obviously done without the now deceased actor’s consent. Fans were outraged at the thought of his voice being used through equipment to convey an authentic depiction of his involvement in this new project. This is part of a greater conversation and the fear surrounding AI’s integration into artistic projects– the types of projects that typically involve real people creating physical work from scratch and experimenting with voices.
What seems like a minor problem now could become a growing ethical issue and could change the landscape of an art form. It considers the possibility of AI usage for entire streaming platforms, voices of characters on shows and in movies, completely erasing the idea of a team of people collaborating on a creative endeavor.
Three years ago when the SAG strikes remained a hot topic, it was revealed that VO jobs were not protected. With an industry relying heavily on freelance opportunities and instability in job security, the addition of AI and lack of protection for an actor’s voice work created a bigger threat.
Part of the magic of voice acting is getting to see the talents behind the characters—how similar or different they seem compared to the way the characters were conveyed on screen. One such talented example that comes to mind is Tara Strong, a woman who voices characters in many shows, including Teen Titans Go!, The Fairly Oddparents, and Ben 10, in which she voices people of the opposite sex. The ways in which she can contort her voice and make each character unique in their personality and storyline is skill built over many years of dedicated work.
Other well-known voice actors have publicly shared their disdain for the emphasis and promotion of celebrities for voice roles over trained artists who have been in the game for several years.
“The idea that they keep hiring crappy celebrities to carry huge films is killing us,” said Matthew Lillard in a FAN EXPO in Denver.
Lillard is among many trained voice actors who have been acting for more than two decades and he is famously known for his iconic representation of Shaggy Rogers in Scooby-Doo.
Voice work is evolving and attempting to coexist with the growing presence of Artificial Intelligence. The impact of AI on animation studios, gaming voice-overs, and commercials is dependent on how the projects are tackled individually.
If a company were to choose the cheaper, ‘easier’ option of computer-generated work as opposed to hiring a skilled actor, will it impact the project’s outcome greatly?
According to a 2025 report from Outspoken, only 33% of respondents indicated that affordable pricing is a key factor for hiring AI actors.
Based on current data, AI does not appear to be the sole focus for creative work despite its accessibility and affordability. On the other hand, the quality of the acting based on which parties are being hired remains another challenge.
Despite concerns of generative AI's involvement and celebrity casting, White firmly believes genuine artistry remain at the heart of voice acting.
“An audience that loves words and music is one that can distinguish between great art versus mediocrity, a great voice actor versus a soulless inhuman copycat, and true originality versus the shadow of human creativity,” said White.
