Hello is MinaRose2023 here with a wonderful interview with voice actress Olivia Swasey.

Hello Olivia how are you today?

I’m fantastic! Thank you so much for asking. 

When did you start thinking voice acting is for me?

I’ve wanted to be an actor ever since I was little. With two parents in the industry, it was nearly unavoidable! I realized voice acting was a viable medium to work on my craft when I was about 18. Even though I had recorded before that age, I didn’t understand the opportunities that were available through anime. Sure glad I came around on that one! 

When did you start getting involved with the anime voice acting community?

Interacting with fans is a fairly new piece of the pie for me since I only started going to cons and meeting people in 2020! I had met a couple other VA’s previously but conventions really allowed me to start networking with folks in the industry. 

Have you seen anime prior to voice acting if so which ones?

I watched a little bit of anime growing up. My Dad would bring home shows he worked on and for my siblings and I to watch. My favorites were “Michelle” & “Kaleidostar”. It’s a very sentimental memory for me! It was lovely to get to be a part of our Dad’s world in that way. 

What has been the most challenging voice acting you have done as a voice actress women in the industry?

Being a woman in any male-dominated industry comes with the regular set of challenges. I definitely need to speak a little louder if I want to really be heard (although this is both an age and a gender thing). The entertainment industry is it’s own beast altogether however. There are some racier scenes in anime that can sometimes be pretty uncomfortable to record. It’s not because of any one individual’s actions, it can just be awkward! The rise of intimacy director’s in the industry is a promising solution to this issue though. All that being said, I don’t know if there is one particular challenge that is more difficult than the last. Being an actor can be such a challenging vocation to pursue all on it’s own that you almost begin to expect the hurdles. 

What has been the best most fun voice acting experiences you’ve had doing voice acting work?

I absolutely love meeting fans and peers from the industry at conventions. The community that comes along with cons is incredible and I pinch myself every time I get to be a part of it! It can also be really special working with my Dad on shows we’re both artistically invested in. That being said, there’s a couple of pranksters down at the studio and the shenanigans they pull might just be my favorite part. I just love fellowship and community man! 

What is what you love most about voice acting?

Have you ever shown up to work in pajamas before? You can totally make that happen as a voice actor. I love that I don’t have to worry about how I look in order to put in work on a project. 

I love being able to work on my craft with other talented folks and pay my rent while doing it! It can be incredibly fulfilling to knock out some bills just because I got to do the thing I love. 

Which voice actors or voice actresses do you look up to?

I really admire the character work Brittany Karbowski does. She has an incredible repertoire and she really seems to enjoy life while she works. Her work ethic is inspiring and her sweetness is contagious! I also look up to my Dad A LOT (don’t tell him – the ego). He is totally my Hero and also my momager. 

 How was it working on Revue Starlight as Maya Tendou?

I loved this show! Maya was a character I related to because of her drive & ambition. Not only was she studying performance in school (like me!) but she also kicked butt with a sword (like me!). It’s always a lot of fun for me as an actor when I feel more connected to the character I’m playing. This was a show my Dad directed so getting to work on a project like this with him was lovely. I also appreciated the opportunity to return to a character multiple times over. It was cool to evolve along with her.