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With the release of Pixar's newest film, Turning Red, audiences are introduced to several actors that span from incredibly familiar to brand-new in the ensemble voice cast. It isn't entirely left-field for Disney to procure actors for its animated films that audiences have never seen; after all, the 2016 smash hit Moana starred newcomer Auliʻi Cravalho. Still, Turning Red uniquely showcases both this newer talent and household names in its coming-of-age story, celebrating both familiar and unexpected Asian-American actors.
After being treated to such a well-crafted movie with these wonderful stars, audiences may look forward to seeing their names appear more often in the credits of future animated features. Regardless, fans can still appreciate precisely where they've heard these voices before-- and when there are those they haven't ever heard!
Rosalie Chiang
Playing Mei, the star of the film, Rosalie Chiang shines in one of the earliest performances of what is sure to be a long career.
If audiences did recognize Mei's voice, they might remember her from one of the shorts she's starred in, Soiled or The Interns, or the actress's role in the TV series Clique Wars as Ashley.
Sandra Oh
As Mei's mother, Ming, Sandra Oh delivers a memorable and emotional performance that prior fans of the actress are sure to recognize. Among her many roles, audiences likely recognized Oh from Killing Eve, where she currently plays Eve Polastri, Grey's Anatomy, where she played long-time fan favorite Cristina Yang, or recent series The Chair, where she played Ji-Yoon Kim.
If fans of Oh skewed a little younger, though, and recognized her voice from a recent animated venture, they likely remember her stint as Castaspella on She-Ra or as Virana in Raya and the Last Dragon.
Ava Morse
Among Mei's squad of friends, Miriam, who has that classic early 2000s skater energy and is closest to Mei, is played by Ava Morse.
If audiences recognized the young actress from her recently begun career, they might have seen her in the TV series Somebody Somewhere or the recent film Ron's Gone Wrong, where she voiced (fittingly) Ava.
Hyein Park
Another of Mei's friends, Abby, the confident little spitfire of the crew, is voiced by Hyein Park. It's unlikely audiences recognized this voice from previous work, as Park is making her debut in acting here in the film.
It's possible, however, that fans recognized her name as she's a Pixar storyboard artist! Her work has most recently been seen in Soul, Toy Story 4, and Bao.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan
Rounding out Mei's friends, Priya, the deadpan vampire-lover, is voiced by beloved actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, who is most recognizable from her role as Devi in Never Have I Ever. She's done some other acting, though-- young fans who recognize her voice from her animated roles may be recalling her time as Zipp Storm in the My Little Pony franchise.
After having done such fun work both live on screen as Devi and in animated form as Priya, hopefully, audiences will see more of the young star in future projects.
Orion Lee
A hugely recognizable actor, Mei's father, Jin, is played by Orion Lee, famous on stage and screen. The actor is best known for his roles in First Cow, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Skyfall.
It's possible audiences clocked his voice as familiar because of these roles. It could also be from his theater work, as he's performed at the National Theatre of Scotland, Abbey Theatre (National Theatre of Ireland), Royal Court, the American Repertory Theatre, and the West End.
Wai Ching Ho
Mei's grandmother is as fittingly recognizable an actor as the rest of the Lee family, played by Wai Ching Ho.
Audiences may have recognized her performance from her time on the Netflix Daredevil, her role in The Sorcerer's Apprentice, or her role in Flight of the Concords.
Tristan Allerick Chen
The secret boy-band lover, Tyler, is played adorably by Tristan Allerick Chen, another relatively new actor on the screen. Still, audiences may have recognized the child actor from his work on Ron's Gone Wrong along with his co-star Ava Morse, his role in the recent hit Wandavision, or from the TV series The Barbarian and the Troll, amongst other things.
Much like his fellow young co-stars, audiences can be excited about the upcoming fun he's sure to bring to his work in his growing career.
Lori Tan Chinn
One of the aunties, Auntie Chen, is played by Lori Tan Chinn, a prolific theater actress with a lengthy resume.
If audiences found her voice familiar, it was likely from her recent stint on Nora from Queens, Orange is the New Black, or maybe through her role as Bloody Mary in the 2001 film version of South Pacific.
Mia Tagano
Another auntie, Auntie Lily, is played by Mia Tagano, a less well-known actress with only one other credit on IMDb besides Turning Red-- a brief appearance on Law and Order: Criminal Intent as a CSU tech.
Maybe audiences will see more of her on-screen now that Pixar has brought her back into the limelight as one of the famed aunties?
Sherry Cola
The third auntie, Auntie Helen, is played by Sherry Cola. An actress with many credits under her belt and bound to add more, if you recognized the comedian's voice, it was likely from her time on Good Trouble or Claws, both of which she's played significant parts in the past few years.
With a few projects currently in post-production, hopefully, audiences will see more and more of Cola in both animated and live-action work.
Lillian Lim
The final auntie, Auntie Ping, is played by Lillian Lim, an accomplished actress with a slew of credits to her name. If audiences felt she sounded familiar, maybe they recognized her from her roles in The Perfection, Grandma's 80th Surprise, or Meditation Park, amongst others.
She could also recently be spotted on Motherland: Fort Salem as "The Biddy." With two shorts currently in pre-production, Lim is yet another of the unforgettable aunties that fans can be sure will be sticking around.
James Hong
Playing Mr. Gao is hugely prolific actor James Hong, who it's likely fans recognized from at least one of his many, many projects. Audiences may have remembered him from his role in Big Trouble in Little China, Kung Fu Panda, or Mulan, and a host of other parts and guest appearances in beloved series going as far back as the 50s.
Even if you didn't immediately catch where you recognized him from, it's almost certain you've seen Hong in something, and if you haven't, that should be remedied immediately.
Jordan Fisher
Robaire, one of the members of 4*Town, is played by Jordan Fisher, who fans are likely familiar with through his previous work with Disney and in musicals. He's most well-known for his recent role in Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway.
You may also recognize Fisher from his screen-work in To All the Boys: PS I Still Love You, Grease! Live, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, The Flash, and numerous other projects. Indeed, precisely the kind of dude who would make audiences swoon in a boy band.
Finneas O'Connell
As Jesse, another member of 4*Town, fans might have recognized the voice of Finneas O'Connell, known by his stylized stage name FINNEAS alongside his sister, Billie Eilish.
His voice isn't just recognizable for his music, though-- audiences might recognize him for his work in Glee, Life Inside Out, or Bad Teacher, amongst other things. Some more great casting is being done here; fans of O'Connell for his music would likely be just as thrilled as the girls in the film are to see Jesse on stage.
Topher Ngo
Playing Aaron T., the third member of 4*Town, is Topher Ngo, a musical and voice-over artist. A bass-baritone in several vocal ensembles, Ngo's resume boasts five a cappella groups.
If audiences recognized his speaking voice, they would likely remember his role on Radiolab's MIXTAPE podcast. Though he isn't as well-known as his compatriots in 4*Town, hopefully, fans can see and hear more from Ngo in the future now that Turning Red has brought him into the spotlight.
Grayson Villanueva
As Tae Young, the fourth member of 4*Town, audiences heard Grayson Villanueva. Villanueva briefly appeared as Manny's college roommate in Modern Family but is perhaps most recognizable from his time competing on The Christmas Caroler Challenge on the CW.
Again, Villanueva may not be as well-known and immediately spottable as other boy band members. Still, hopefully, his role as Tae Young changes that, bringing this sweet-voiced actor and musician onto screens repeatedly.
Josh Levi
Rounding out the five-member 4*Town as Aaron Z., audiences heard Josh Levi. If audiences recognized Levi, it is likely from his stint on Friday Night Lights as Darrius Merriweather (perhaps from his time on Days of Our Lives).
However, fans may also have recognized his musical talents, specifically featuring on the Insecure soundtrack. Between that feature and this role, fans can hopefully expect to see more and more music and performances from Levi in the future.