Backstage
The 12th SOVAS Voice Arts Awards: Nominees List
By Suzy Woltmann
Nov 24, 2025

The nominees for the Voice Arts Awards are in! On Nov. 24, the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS) announced the performers and creatives being honored at the 12th annual awards, which will take place Jan. 18, 2026, at the iconic Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

The Voice Arts Awards recognizes excellence across the voice acting ecosystem, with a focus on performances that resonate across cultures and generations. This year’s nominees include household names and industry veterans alongside rising talent shaping the future of voice acting.

The event is “a tribute to the storytellers behind the mic,” explains SOVAS chairman-CEO Rudy Gaskins. This highly talented group includes “the voice actors, casting directors, audiobook publishers, writers, producers, and creative visionaries who shape how we feel, imagine, and understand the world.”

Among this year’s high-profile nominees are Auli?i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson, both recognized for their voice work in Disney’s “Moana 2” in the Outstanding Animation Character – Motion Picture category. The Outstanding Audiobook Narration categories also feature an impressive lineup, including Matthew McConaughey for his collection “Poems & Prayers,” Stephen Fry for the classic “Great Expectations,” Bruce Vilanch for his memoir “It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time,” and Martin Sheen for the nonfiction book “Ghosts of Hiroshima.” Additional notable nominees include Sutton Foster for “Pippi Longstocking,” Maya Hawke for “Slouching Towards Bethlehem,” and John Green for his author performance of “Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection.”

In advance of the ceremony, SOVAS will also present the 2026 Backstage Vanguard Award to legendary Barbadian-British voice actor Redd Pepper during the That’s Voiceover! Career Expo taking place Jan. 9–11, 2026.

Here are the nominees for over 25 of the 150 categories for the 12th Voice Arts Awards.

Voice Arts Awards nominees (selected categories)

Outstanding Animation Character – Motion Picture – Best Voiceover

Auli?i Cravalho, “Moana 2”
James Hare, “Fat Chance! the Movie”
Dwayne Johnson, “Moana 2”

Outstanding Audiobook Narration – Author Performance – Best Voiceover

Tanya Eby, “The Narrator’s Handbook”
John Green, “Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection”
Alison Larkin, “Grief… A Comedy”
Matthew McConaughey, “Poems & Prayers”
Bruce Vilanch, “It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time”

Outstanding Audiobook Narration – Classics – Best Voiceover

Karen Commins, “Duskin”
Andrew Eiden, “Desolation Angles”
Sutton Foster, “Pippi Longstocking”
Stephen Fry, “Great Expectations”
Robert G. Slade, “Moby Dick”
Maya Hawke, “Slouching Towards Bethlehem”

Outstanding Audiobook Narration – History – Best Voiceover

Karen Chilton, “Misbehaving at the Crossroads”
Jack de Golia, “War of Supply: World War II Allied Logistics in the Mediterranean”
Stephanie Németh-Parker, “The Time of My Life: Dirty Dancing”
Martin Sheen, “Ghosts of Hiroshima”
Maxwell Zener, “Building the Worlds That Kill Us”

Outstanding Casting – TV Animation – Best Casting Director

Paulette Victor Lifton, “From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman”
Paulette Victor Lifton, “Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc.”
Sara Jane Sherman, “Haunted Hotel”
Sara Jane Sherman, “Krapopolis”
Sara Jane Sherman, “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man”

Outstanding Casting – TV Commercial – Best Casting Director

Sound & Fury, Krispy Kreme
Sound & Fury, Nike
Sound & Fury, Starbucks
Stephanie Ugbeye, “The Rise of Appbility”
Susie Valerio, “Brawl Stars Ad – Juju”

Outstanding Commercial – TV or Streaming – Best Voiceover

J. Marcell Baker, “Guinness on Premise”
J. Marcell Baker, “Standis – Make Brands Work”
Jerry Beharry, Bethany White Group spot
Ellen Dubin, “Amor En La Cesta”
Matt Fogarty, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre – “Carry the Fire”
Gm Hakim, Apple – “Hey Son”
Julia Knippen, CVS – “Here for All of It”
Elsa Levytsky, Nespresso – “The Perfect Gift”
Jeremiah Mullins, IHOP
Peter Wicks, Patch Plants – “Plants Made Easy”

Outstanding Promo – TV or Streaming – Best Voiceover

Debbe Hirata, U.S. Women’s Soccer – “She Believes Promo”
Joey Iannitelli, Scholastic – “Bad Guys Recap”
Simon Kennedy, “Best Fest – Summer’s Most Wanted”
Simon Kennedy, “Big Kids Big Action”
Simon Kennedy, ABC Kids – “Pirates Aplenty”
Simon Kennedy, “The Strange Chores”
Uku Leili, Netflix – “Single’s Inferno: Choices – Official Game Trailer”
Jeremiah Mullins, “Sharkweek”
Keith Tan, “Blockbuster Sunday: Godzilla Vs Kong”
Torran Wakefield-Thompson, Pluto TV – “Many Faces of Eddie Murphy” Promo

Outstanding Promo Campaign – TV or Streaming – Best Voiceover

Chloë Elmore, “Olympics x Toyota: Memories of the Future”
Chris Fries, “NFL on CBS”
Debbe Hirata, Oscars 2025 Promo Campaign
Christian Lanz, “Disney on Ice” – National Promo Campaign
Torran Wakefield-Thompson, Pluto TV Campaign

Outstanding Toy Character – Best Voiceover

Erin Culpepper, Poe the Storytelling Bear
Vanessa Marroquin, Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn: Learn & Serve Coffee Café
Amanda Turen, Tonies Lalalinos – Bumbaloo Beats – Cosmo
Alaina Wis, Disney Princess meReaders

Outstanding Video Game Character – Best Voiceover

Harry Frost, “Wizard of Legend 2”: Hieronymous
Rae Lim, “Wuthering Waves”
Eduardo De Los Reyes, “Digimon Time Story Stranger”
Peter Wicks, “Among Ashes”
Shel Wyminga, “Mechwarrior 5: Clans – Ghost Bear: Flash Storm”

Outstanding Video Game Trailer – Best Voiceover

Chloë Elmore, “Path of Exile 2 – Dawn of the Hunt”
Weston Heflin, “How to Play US Aircraft Carriers – World of Warships”
Devon Irelan, “Eve Online: Equinox Expansion”
Alaina Wis, “Become the Ash That Ignites the Stars – Tower of Fantasy”
Kimberly Woods, “Wanderstop”

Outstanding Animation Character – TV or Web – Best Voiceover

I-Ling Chen, “Hamsters of Hamsterdale” – Nickelodeon
Wesley Eagle, “Wands Deep”
Chloë Elmore, “Loud & Proud”
Brandon Miller, “Paw Patrol: To the Rescue” – Mayor Humdinger
Azman Zulkiply, “LK: School Daze”

Outstanding Animation Character – Film or TV – Best African Voiceover

Simisola Gbadamosi, “Iwaju”
Jennifer Eniye Kanari, “Explore Our 2025 Impact Report – The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet”
Jennifer Eniye Kanari, “Path of Exile: Risu’s Rescue”

Outstanding Commercial – Radio or Web – Best African Voiceover

Oluwaseyi Ajagbe, Action Against Hunger Ad
Olalekan Akinleye, “West Africa Economic Summit 2025 Commercial”
Eniola Keshinro, “Showmax – Bring Your Own Internet”
Eniola Keshinro, “Visa – Globetrotter”
Tolulope Kolade, Airtel 5G

Outstanding Dubbing – TV or Series – Best Arabic Voiceover

Habiba Bahaa, “Barbie Mysteries”
Weiam Dribaty, “Koroko”
Ibrahem Jalal, “Naruto”

Outstanding Commercial – TV or Web – Best Chinese Voiceover

Phoebe T. Lim, “Wall’s New Pop Cornetto – New Pop Cornetto”
Angelia Liu, “Project Be Brave: Early Detection for Breast Cancer PSA With Davey the Puppet” – Mandarin
Angela Liu, “Project Be Brave: Early Detection for Breast Cancer PSA” – Mandarin
Erika Huey Shiun Tan | Beauté Library Commercial
Hugo Sean Wong | “McDonald’s – Mushroom Season Drops At Mekdi!”
Xiè S?ngfàn | “UOB Bank ‘Doing Right by You One Bank’ for ASEAN”

Outstanding Body of Work – International – Best Voiceover

Yukiko Fujimura
Takayuki Kondo
Chilu Lemba
Tamara Linke
Noella Menon

Outstanding Radio Commercial – Best Japanese Voiceover

Taeko Mukumoto, American Airlines Spotify Spot
Natsuki Terauchi, “A Place That Supports the Growth of Engineers”

Outstanding Animation Character – Film, TV, or Video Game – Portuguese Language – Best Voiceover

Lucila Bach, “Vamos Brincar com a Turma da Mônica”
Andrei Duarte, “Jorel’s Brother”
Audrei Hüllen, “Pipas”
Jose Augusto Sendim, “O Coração Delator”

Outstanding Audio Description – TV or Film – Portuguese Language – Best Voiceover

Krysna Bezerra Dias, “Martinho E Zeca – Projeto Samba Rock”
Luciana Priami, “Maria E O Cangaço” – Disney+

Outstanding Dubbing – Video Games – Portuguese Language – Best Voiceover

Lucila Bach, “Poppy Playtime”
Dudu Fevereiro, “Destiny 2”

Outstanding Narration – E-Learning – Portuguese Language – Best Voiceover

Rafa Depieri, “Globo Gente – Um olhar para os pais contemporâneos”
Andressa Mello, “Seja curioso – TED-Ed – Tudo o que você precisa saber para ler ‘Frankenstein’“ – Iseult Gillespie
Carolla Parmejano, “Disney Junior – Mickey”

Outstanding Animation Character – TV or Web – Best Spanish Voiceover

Nicolas Daza, “Bakugan 3.1”
Natalia Rosminati, “Plim Plim”
Victor Ruiz, “Mejores Momentos de Catnap en Gametoons”
Demian Velazco Rochwerger, “Hilda – Tritón”
Ximena Viver, “Moomin Valley”

Outstanding Commercial – TV or Streaming – Best Spanish Voiceover

Javier Delgado, “ ‘Stretch’ – Premium Class Alaska Airlines”
Sara Delgado, “Guainía Ancestral”
Sara Delgado, “MiniMed 780G? Diabetes”
Belu Heredia, “Expresate mejor con BIC”
Pedro Labattaglia, “Clight – ‘Let’s prepare what’s good for us’ ”
Alfonso Lugo, Tostitos Esquites
Jose Paz, “Güitig – Emociónate Otra Vez”
Michael Rojas, “Perezoso invita a Madrid a visitar Costa Rica”
Memo Sauceda, “Silverdado Hermanos y Rivales”
Lizet Vásquez, “Delta y LATAM: Destinadas a Estar Juntas”

Outstanding Radio Commercial – Best Spanish Voiceover

Marly Figueroa, Kamala Harris 2024
Douglas Hernandez, Soy Hyundai
Maria Camila Peroni Franco, “Somos Selva” by Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Facundo Reyes, “Naranja X – Día de la madre”
Lizet Vásquez, “Maiz ‘El Poderoso’ ”

The post Bruce Vilanch Nominated For A Voice Arts Award first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

We Got Bruce!
Happy Birthday, Bruce Vilanch!
By Mister D
Nov. 23, 2025

Happy Birthday to the King of the One-Liners, the Sultan of Sass, the one and only BRUCE VILANCH!!! Bruce, honey, another trip around the sun and you’re still the funniest person in any room that isn’t currently on fire (and even then, you’d probably roast the flames). You’ve made divas sparkle, Oscar broadcasts bearable, and my life infinitely gayer just by existing. May your day be filled with:

* Cake the size of a small Broadway stage
* Sequins that don’t itch
* Wigs that behave
* And zero people asking you, “So what do you really look like under all that?”

You magnificent, pun-slinging, Bette-whispering legend — blow out those candles before they demand residuals!

I love you more than opening night, standing ovations, and complimentary champagne combined. Here’s to another year of being gloriously, unapologetically YOU.

Happy Birthday, Bruce! You’re the wind beneath my exaggerated wings. — Don

The post Happy Birthday, Bruce Vilanch! first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

We Got Bruce
The Oscars: WWTT? – Podcast: 1955 – I Coulda Been An Oscar Contender – Bruce Vilanch
By Mister D
Oct 6, 2025

Hey Oscar fans — welcome to the 1955 Oscars for the films of 1954. In case you weren’t aware, 1954 was an absolutely outstanding year full of great movies…some of which even got nominated for Academy Awards! Which means some of the best movies that are still beloved, rewatched, referenced and remade today did NOT get any Oscar love. This includes a few shockingly egregious omissions that we’re pretty sure will have you scratching your head. So join us down on the waterfront as Bruce and “Tex” attempt to solve the mystery of “What they were thinking?” when the Academy looked out their rear window and saw…nothing. As always, thanks for listening and joining us at The Oscars!

The post Podcast: 1955 – I Coulda Been An Oscar Contender – Bruce Vilanch first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

We Got Bruce
If You Missed Out Getting An Autographed Book…
By Mister D
Sept 29, 2025

If You Missed Out on Getting An Autographed Book from Bruce Vilanch, then you can order a signed copy from larryedmunds.com. This is the legendary Larry Edmunds Bookshop on Hollywood Boulevard, a renowned repository of Hollywood books. 

The post If You Missed Out Getting An Autographed Book… first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

We Got Bruce
Video: Bruce Vilanch Live With Billy Masters
By Mister D
April 25, 2025

Billy Masters LIVE (S05E1) – 4-25-25 – One of our most popular guests returns to Billy Masters LIVE. Bruce Vilanch is a writer, an actor, a personality, a raconteur, and a helluva good time. In his latest book – “It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time”, he brings us behind the scenes of some of Hollywoods most misguided events – from the Academy Awards to variety shows. And he does it all with his trademark wit and candor.

The post Video: Bruce Vilanch Live With Billy Masters first appeared on We Got Bruce!.