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Embrace Your Individuality!
Ashleigh Hairston on
Representation in Animation
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By Kayla Bowles, November 10, 2024
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For today’s article, I had the pleasure of getting to interview with the incredibly talented voice actor, writer, and producer Ashleigh Crystal Hairston—known for work on numerous animated series, including Tiny Toons Looniversity, Fairly OddParents: A New Wish, Craig of the Creek, and Jessica’s Big Little World. Ashleigh, thank you so much for talking with me! My first question for you is: How did you get involved in the voiceover industry?
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Ashleigh: I attended Howard University and majored in Theatre Arts/Acting. My dream was (and still is) to create, write, and star in my own live-action TV show. Soon after moving to Los Angeles, I started taking sketch writing and improv comedy classes and I learned to write for myself and others. I started performing regularly at comedy theatres around town and was invited to participate in character showcases like the CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase. Often people would say, “You should go into voice acting, you have such a great voice!” So, I signed up for an Animation VO Intensive at The Actors Company, taught by Colette Sunderman, a veteran voice director. I also took a Commercial VO Intensive with James Murray, a voiceover agent at Abrams Artists. At the end of the class, James informed me of a few projects that were casting and invited me to audition, even though I was un-repped. It wasn’t until I got a callback for a Disney pilot that I secured representation. My manager used that as leverage to pitch me to different agencies. Within two months of signing with Osbrink Agency, I booked my first voiceover job for Marvel’s Avengers Assemble: Black Panther’s Quest, voicing the role of BASK, the Queen of Wakanda.
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Kayla: That’s incredible. There are lot of people in my life who attended Howard, and I can only imagine how phenomenal their acting programs are. I have heard that improv is a very useful tool to have under your belt as a voice actor, and comedy is such a great place to approach character acting. In a similar vein: How did you first hear of the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences?
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Ashleigh: I was invited to participate in a panel moderated by Portia Scott called, “Unlocking Nickelodeon’s Voice Acting Alchemy: Creators, Agents, and Voice Talent Speak” at SOVAS’ 2024 That’s Voiceover! Career Expo. This will be my first time attending the event and I’m so excited to learn all about the organization and take part!
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Kayla: Yes! My next question was actually about the panel. Can you share with me what you’re hoping to get out of that experience?
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Ashleigh: I’m looking forward to reconnecting with my Nickelodeon colleagues and meeting creators I haven’t yet had the chance to work with. By sharing my experiences as a writer, co-executive producer, and voice actor on one of Nickelodeon’s top legacy franchises, I hope to inspire others to pursue a career in animation!
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Kayla: What do you most want the audience to take away from the panel?
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Ashleigh: I hope the audience leaves with a solid understanding of how to pitch shows at Nickelodeon, what it takes to write for an animated series there, how to deliver compelling voiceover auditions, and insights into the casting process behind their many hit TV series. I want them to feel informed, empowered, and confident about their next steps in the industry.
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Kayla: Last year, I spoke with your Tiny Toons Looniversity castmate Tessa Netting. The two of you, along with the rest of the cast of that show, are re-contextualizing a group of iconic characters to a new generation. What has that experience been like for you?
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Ashleigh: It’s been amazing! I grew up watching the original Tiny Toons series, so getting to be part of this legendary franchise and stepping into the iconic role of Babs Bunny is truly a dream come true. Recording with my castmates—Eric Bauza, David Errigo Jr., and Tessa—has been a blast. We’re all such weirdos and real-life friends, and we’re so much like our characters that it makes getting into character feel effortless. The day we recorded the theme song was surreal—we could hardly contain our excitement!
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Kayla: Fairly OddParents: A New Wish is a continuation of another well-beloved series. What would you say was the most challenging aspect of bringing your voice to this franchise, both in terms of writing and acting?
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Ashleigh: Being a creator on the series gave me a unique advantage. When my co-story editor, Lindsay Katai, and I sat down to develop the series bible, we were thrilled to bring a fresh perspective to the Fairly OddParents universe. This meant introducing a new godkid, completely different from Timmy Turner. By making Hazel Wells a little Black girl navigating her own internal conflicts, we were able to explore a unique set of wishes that prompted all-new, exciting adventures. As a writer, I poured so much of myself into her character—her love of cool rocks, French fries, and scary movies all came from personal experience. Hazel is like me in many ways that make her story especially close to my heart.
When casting began, however, I hesitated to audition, wondering if I could balance multiple roles on the series. I thought, someone else might be able to give the role the full attention it deserves. To my surprise, Nickelodeon casting had me in mind for the role long before I joined as a producer! I’d had callbacks for various Nickelodeon shows, landed a guest role on The Loud House, and they knew my work on Tiny Toons Looniversity. With the team’s encouragement, I took a leap, auditioned—and booked it.
Since the crew was already used to hearing my voice in meetings and pitches, stepping into the role felt natural, and I was excited to flex my singing and improvisation skills in the recording booth. During production, people would often call me ‘Hazel’ by accident—that’s how connected we became.
Voicing Hazel is a true honor and seeing how much fans love her brings me immense joy. This experience has changed my life in ways I never imagined. So, to revisit the question, I’d say the only real challenge was learning to believe in my own voice—and that’s a gift I’ll carry with me always.
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Kayla: What do you think is the best way to address the topic of diversity in animation, particularly in children’s animation?
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Ashleigh: I think you have to look at the numbers. According to USC’s Annenberg Report, only 17% of animated TV series are created by women, and just 3 of those creators are women of color. In animated films, Black actors hold only 10.2% of lead roles. As a young Black creative in animation, these disparities resonate with me daily.
I love animation—it’s introducing children to the world for the very first time and shaping how they navigate it. I know that positive representation on screen can empower and impact us on a deep, molecular level. But true representation requires deliberate action, and it must start at the creator level.
When I was a staff writer on Craig of the Creek, which follows the adventures of a little Black boy playing by the creek with his friends, I didn’t just learn how to write premises and outlines. I learned from my producers, Matt Burnett and Ben Levin, how to confidently pitch ideas, navigate executive meetings, push back on network notes, and stand firm in my vision for a series. I took these lessons with me when I became head writer on Jessica’s Big Little World, a preschool spinoff following Craig’s little sister as she learns to become a big kid. I helped curate an all-black female writer’s room, hired diverse story board artists and designers, and together, we created a rich, diverse world with authentic stories centered on one little Black girl’s experience.
Now, as Co-Executive Producer, Co-Story Editor, and lead voice actor on A New Wish, I’ve taken decisive steps to ensure that black voices are not only heard, but elevated. By fostering a diverse, inclusive environment both on and off-screen, I’m paving the way for future generations of black creatives to thrive as leaders in this industry. My journey isn’t just about breaking barriers —it’s about creating opportunities for others who share the same vision for a more inclusive animation landscape, just as Matt and Ben did for me.
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Kayla: I have to say, as a black girl whose dream is to work in animation, I look up to you a great deal. If you could give me one piece of career advice, what would it be?
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Ashleigh: Don’t worry so much about “breaking in.” Instead, concentrate on honing your craft and keep finding ways to grow personally and as a creative. Take classes, make friends, sign up for workshops, refine your unique voice, and lean into you. Embrace your individuality! People may not remember your name, but they’ll remember your energy and how your art made them feel. The energy you project into the world is the energy you’ll receive in return! And above all else, don’t forget that while this creative journey we’re on should be enjoyable and fulfilling, you may not always get that from a project, studio, or your colleagues, so take care of yourself mentally and emotionally, and always remember your ‘why.’
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Kayla: What would you say is the biggest risk you have taken in relation to your voiceover career?
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Ashleigh: Honestly, me being in this industry is a huge risk. I pivoted to writing in animation out of a need for financial stability. I was auditioning and performing full-time, and I was tired of being broke! Thankfully, I made the shift at just the right moment. In January 2020, I landed my first full-time staff writing job, just before the pandemic hit. When Hollywood shut down, animation soared, and I was fortunate to work consistently, balancing writing, voice acting, and recording from home—even juggling multiple projects at once.
Now, I’m thriving full-time in the industry, but I do miss acting. Choosing animation meant stepping away from a live-action TV career for a few years, but I’m so grateful for the success I’ve found. I’m hopeful that this momentum will carry through every part of my career, and that I’ll eventually have the opportunity to do it all. I truly believe I can!
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Kayla: I have no doubt that you will! You have such a great energy about you. Looking ahead, what trends do you foresee shaping the future of the voice acting and voiceover industry?
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Ashleigh: The animation industry is going through major changes right now, especially with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. AI is here to stay—it’s part of animation, games, features, it’s in airports, you name it! I believe it’s essential to establish strong legislation that requires consent and fair compensation for the use of our digital voices and likenesses. Equally important are protections to prevent AI-driven job displacement, safeguarding the roles of human artists and creatives. We can’t afford to delay—the future of AI is here.
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Kayla: As a final, and hopefully fun element, can you answer the following rapid-fire questions? This is a bit like a game show and the questions come from celebrity interviewer James Lipton. We can call it the Lipton Challenge. To start: What is your favorite word?
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Ashleigh: Tootle.
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Kayla: What is your least favorite word?
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Ashleigh: Pocketbook.
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Kayla: What sound or noise do you love?
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Ashleigh: Baby laughter.
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Kayla: What sound or noise do you hate?
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Ashleigh: Snoring.
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Kayla: What is your favorite food?
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Ashleigh: French Fries.
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Kayla: What is your least favorite food?
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Ashleigh: Avocado (I’m allergic).
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Kayla: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
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Ashleigh: Behavioral Therapist or psychic.
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Kayla: What profession would you most not like to do?
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Ashleigh: Flight attendant.
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Kayla: Thank you again for such a great conversation! Before we wrap up, do you have any final thoughts?
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Ashleigh: Yes! Please watch The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish, premiering Nov. 14th, 2024, on Netflix GLOBALLY!!! Myself, and my fellow co-executive producers, Dave Stone, Lindsay Katai, Daniel Abramovici and our entire crew are so proud of what we were able to accomplish with the series and we can’t wait to share it with the world!
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Kayla Bowles is assistant to Rudy Gaskins and Joan Baker, founders of the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences™ (SOVAS™), creators of That’s Voiceover!™ Career Expo, and the Voice Arts® Awards. She currently studies the art of voice acting with Joan Baker, and has studied with Real Voice L.A., The Acting Studio, and Broadway Evolved. Though new to the voiceover business, Kayla has already booked a local TV commercial, a role in an indie animated series (in development), and has lent her voice to various passion projects. She is currently an undergrad at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY.
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