FEATURING ELIAH
HOUSE CRIME
My name is Vanessa Richardson - I've been a full time Voice Actor for over 20 years. I was born in Medellin, Colombia (South America) and raised all over the US. I am bilingual Span- ish & English (which has helped me a lot as a voice actor). I'm a mom to 2 amazing boys. I have worked I every genre of voice over including dubbing, narration, VOG, (most re- cently I live-announced the 2025 SCL Awards), animation, political spots, ADR, promos, commercials, audiobooks, and most recently, scripted podcasts. My most recognizable current shows are My current podcasts are "Killer Minds","True Crime This Week" and "Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes" for PAVE studios - available everywhere you listen to podcasts. I also was the original host of "Serial Killers" for over 7 years over 500 episodes, among many others. I have won many awards over the years for my work including Telly Awards, a Pollie Award, Campaigns & Elections Reed Awards, Peer Awards, among others.
TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.
I consider myself a storyteller - no matter what genre I'm working in, I take the listener on a journey - whether it's a 30 second commer-cial, a podcast, an audiobook, an animated character or documentary narration... it's the same idea.
I come from a family of storytellers. My grand- mother was a writer, my father is a musician and film editor; he cut many feature films, commercials, news reels and was most known for his work on music videos back when MTV first started (and actually played music videos!) I grew up around the industry in a family that appreciates creativity and the arts.
I started my career on the east coast working in television production and post-production. As a producer and coordinator, I learned the "business" side of things. I handled budgets and booked edit and mix sessions. I started off hir- ing talent and working closely with producers and then became a producer myself. I learned early on what makes a voice actor successful - and it starts before you even get in the booth!
One day early on in my career, a producer handed me a script and put me in front of a microphone to read a scratch track for a piece that would air on 20/20. I was immediately hooked. They ended up using my scratch track on air, and I knew that it would not be the last time I would be in front of a microphone! It was roughly 15 years later that I would begin my transition from producer to voice talent.
TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.
There are times when I will audition and not book anything for months... That can be dis- couraging. I have learned that having multiple avenues for work is very important. My main focus is my work with PAVE studios on the shows "Killer Minds" and "Crime House: The Show" (putting out several shows a week plus social media content - which is a huge part of the work now!) I also have an amazing agent, Van-essa Gilbert, who continues to present me with opportunities, as well as a few regional agents.
IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COL- LABORATE WITH?
I did the promo materials for Planet Earth narrated by Sigourney Weaver. I recently did a scratch track used by Chaka Khan for an NBA promo. Worked with John Quiñones on a 20/20 piece (when I realized I wanted to work in VO one day!!). I've had the pleasure of working with so many professional, talented people over the years and I look forward to what's coming next!!
TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.