Photo by Adam Hendershott
We have the opportunity to speak with Kari Wahlgren about her Emmy, being a voice actress, and much more in our exclusive interview!
Kari Wahlgren is an American voice actress, and has received a 2025 Emmy nomination for Best Voiceover Performance in a Preschool Program for her work as ‘Granny Catarina’, ‘Ms.Poochytail’ and ‘Magda’ in Disney Junior’s SuperKitties. Kari wrapped up 2024 by being honored on Forbes’ 28 Legendary Voice Actors Who Defined Characters. Heading into 2025, Kari is voicing Granny Seiko in Netflix’s popular anime series, DanDaDan and will be Disney+’s newest ‘Aunt May’ in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman premiering on Disney+ on January 29th.
BSCKids: Tell us a bit about your characters on SuperKitties and how did you get the role on the show?
Kari Wahlgren: Originally, I auditioned for the role of Magda, the security dog. I booked that role, and during one of the recording sessions, they asked if I would audition for an old lady bank robber named Granny Caterina. That led to more and more characters like Ms. Poochytail, Whiskers, Sadie, and Sally Squeakerton.
What do you feel makes SuperKitties a distinct and fun show?
It combines superheroes and cats, which are two of my favorite things! The show is adorable for kids yet funny and clever enough for adults to enjoy.
Congrats on all your awards and Emmy! How did it feel winning the award?
Thank you! It was such a dream come true! I’ve wanted to do voiceovers since I was a kid, so it was truly magical to win an Emmy.
What do you feel like is the hardest part of voice acting and the most satisfying part?
I think the best part is that you can play all kinds of characters in voice acting that you couldn’t play in real life. The hardest part is that you can’t rely on your face or body to create the character…you have to do it all through your voice!
Who has been the animated character that you have voiced that you most relate to? Which character has been the most challenging to voice?
Maybe Zatanna in DC Superhero Girls. I loved doing plays and theater in school, just like Zatanna does. She loves her friends and family, so I relate to that.
Tell us any funny behind-the-scenes story that has happened while voicing a character?
One time, I was playing a character in a show that was fighting a monster. It was almost lunchtime, and my stomach started growling loudly. The audio engineer recorded it and made it sound like my stomach noises were coming out of the monster’s mouth!
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I have a huge Disney Princess and Wonder Woman coffee mug collection.
What is your favorite animated series that you have not voiced a character for?
Jem and the Holograms
Anything coming up that you can tell us about?
I’m playing Aunt May in “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,” that is out now on Disney and Disney+. Everything else I’m working on is still top secret!
Thanks to Kari Wahlgren for taking the time to speak with BSCKids!