“Acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances.” – Sanford Meisner.
That quote is a classic for a reason. It’s also the simplest way to think about authenticity in voice-over. Authenticity doesn’t mean you have to bare your soul on every read or reveal your deepest secrets on social media. It means connecting truthfully, in the moment, and bringing the version of yourself that best fits the story being told.
Now, have you heard “authentic” in casting briefs so often that it’s started to lose all meaning? Fear not, my friend, you hold the answer to your own success, and here’s a secret: you’re not just one version of yourself. And you don’t need to be.
- Authenticity Isn’t One-Dimensional
Being authentic doesn’t mean you’re locked into a single “true” identity that you carry around 24/7. You’re a lot of things: maybe a teacher, a friend, a colleague, a parent, maybe even a rival (hopefully not a sworn enemy, but hey, life is long). All of those sides of you are authentically you.
In VO, that flexibility is your power, drawing on the part of yourself that fits the script. Sometimes it’s the warm, approachable friend side of you that explains how a product works. Other times it’s the confident mentor who shows a new employee how it’s done, or the professional colleague who delivers information with clarity and purpose.
- Why “Be Yourself” Actually Matters in Casting
If you’ve been in VO long enough, you’ve probably heard casting directors say they’re looking for something “unique.” But…if everyone is unique, how can anyone be unique?
The answer: nobody else has more experience being you than you. That’s your competitive edge.
Your experiences, perspective, humor, and quirks are what make you stand out. That shapes your opinion, and your opinion is what clients are actually hiring when they say, “just be yourself”. When you take a script and filter it through your lens, you create something that no one else could deliver in quite the same way.
Take a moment before each script and ask: what part of me connects to this? That connection: your lived experience, memories, and feelings layered over the words, is what turns a read from generic into memorable.
That’s why the note “just be yourself” shows up so often. Your individuality is the most valuable tool you have.
- Why Authenticity Works (and Will Keep Working)
Authenticity has become such a buzzword because audiences demand it. For decades, the Don LaFontaine-style “big voice” ruled: commanding and directive. But Millennials (and now Gen Z, who are quickly becoming the decision-makers) don’t respond to pushy “buy buy buy!” commands. They don’t want to be sold to. They want to feel like they’re being spoken with. That shift has changed the entire advertising landscape as millennials and Gen Z become the buyers and creative directors, and that old style has lost its pull.
Their radar for anything fake, inauthentic, or over the top is off the charts. In fact, research shows Millennials in particular resist being told what to do. What moves them is a shared experience, something relatable – and that can be good or bad. That’s why so many ads now sound like testimonials, sharing experiences with the product or presenting its benefits. Instead of “Book your Vrbo today”, it’s “create memories together, with Vrbo”, or even, “I created my favorite memories in a Vrbo”. Pay attention to what comes across your desk and plays on your TV. Authenticity sells.
People can spot “faked realness” a mile away, so when you lean into your own perspective, you stand out.
- Social Media: Keep It Real, Keep It Professional
One of the easiest places to show your authentic self is on social media. Clients and peers want to know who they’re working with – not just the demos you post, but the person behind them. Sharing a little humor, behind-the-scenes moments, or stories of the ups and downs of VO builds trust.
But here’s the caveat: remember, clients are looking. Authentic doesn’t mean unfiltered. Your political rants, off-color jokes, or raw diary entries might feel like “the real you,” but they may not serve you professionally. Keep it real, but keep it pro.
- Authenticity in Networking
The VO industry runs on connections. Jobs absolutely can come from relationships built over time. I’ve hired my friends before, and they’ve hired me. The best way to find and build those connections? Show up genuinely, not just when you need something.
Here’s the thing: when you’re real with people, they tend to be real with you. Think about why being around animals or out in nature feels so relaxing (assuming no allergies or fear of geese). No judgment, no performance. That ease is what people respond to, both in your reads and in relationships.
Studies show that around 80% of jobs across industries come through networking. Authenticity makes those connections sustainable. People want to support and collaborate with people they know, like, and trust.
- Your Background Is Part of Your Authenticity
Your background and life experiences shape your delivery in ways you might not even notice. This also extends to your marketing and branding. Just briefly, think about it like this:
- Someone with a background in corporate leadership might naturally bring authority and polish to executive narration.
- A former mortgage broker or financial professional may have a knack for explaining detailed processes clearly and making complex topics sound simple. Also, the financial sector of voice-over is huge!
- A teacher might instinctively deliver with clarity and patience, think about what authentic sides of you these things from your past bring out – those are benefits!
They aren’t boxes to be stuck in, but starting points. Your past experiences shouldn’t be forgotten; they’ll make your reads sound lived-in and believable. So stop trying to sand down your edges, and start booking the work that fits you best.
So yes, authenticity is important, but not in the one-dimensional way we can get stuck in thinking about it. You’re not one true self; you’re many authentic versions. The key is knowing which part of you fits the script, the client, and the moment, and then bringing that version unapologetically to the table.
Clients aren’t looking for perfection – no one relates to that. They’re looking for you. And no one has more experience being you than you.
Lean into that, and your authenticity won’t just be a buzzword; it’ll be the foundation of your success.
P.S. If you haven’t yet taken our introductory voice-over class, where we go over everything one needs to know about getting started in the voice-over industry, sign up here!
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