Tara Strong on voicing Ben 10: 'I kind of like when little boys get mad'
In Cartoon Network’s new show Ben 10: Omniverse, you play young Ben, how different is Omniverse as a whole compared to previous instalments?
The new 'Ben 10' is an exciting combination of both versions of Ben 10 as both Bens appear! There is a lot of humor and action as well as a ton of great new characters.
Are there any memorable reactions you’ve gotten when people learn that the person behind young Ben’s voice is a girl?
I kind of like when little boys get mad! That's means I've done a great job fooling them!
How has young Ben in 'Ben 10: Omniverse' evolved as character in comparison to the previous installment?
I would say the New Ben has a lot more knowledge in this installment. He gets to do some time travel and learns all kinds of interesting stuff about who he is, the situations he's faced with and all the new aliens.
How is voicing young Ben different from the other characters in various animated series you’ve voiced?
Ben is different than my other boy voices because he is very cocky. He is never afraid, deeper voiced than my other voices and can be condescending as well as over confident.
How are the 'Ben 10' fans? Have there been any standout experiences with the fan base?
I love the Ben 10 fans! I met a girl at Comic Con San Diego a few years back that made incredible art pieces and costumes based on the show.
'Ben 10: Omniverse' premieres next week in Malaysia, what can fans out there expect to see in this latest installment?
They can expect fun, adventure, action, aliens & teenage antics that will keep them entertained, laughing & on the edges of their couches!
How did you get a start in voice acting?
I always knew I wanted to sing and act. When I was thirteen, my agent in Toronto sent me to audition for the title role of "Hello Kitty". I booked it & the rest is history.
Being a voice actor is exceptionally different from a 9am-5pm desk job, what do enjoy most about your work?
I love my work because it's incredibly fun. We always have a great time in the studio and it's very rewarding knowing what we do touches peoples' lives.
You’ve voiced many iconic Cartoon Network characters throughout your career. Which character do you best identify with?
My favorite role was "Melody" from "The Little Mermaid 2"...it was my dream to be in the first one as a young girl and getting to work with Jodi Benson was extremely gratifying.
What advice can you give to aspiring voice actors who are eager to break into the industry?
Take all the classes you can! Voice acting is ACTING! You need to learn about scene study, improve (i.e. dramatising concepts without a script or prior rehearsal), and singing.
