Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Pokémon’s Sarah Natochenny
Sarah Natochenny is the voice behind one of the most beloved characters in pop culture history: Ash Ketchum. Since 2006, she’s brought Ash to life in Pokémon films and television series. But she never imagined when she landed the role that she would receive the reception that she did. Pop Culturalist chatted with Sarah about the moment the tide turn.
PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Sarah: I was a rhythmic gymnast at the age of four. I did that until I was about thirteen. My parents told me if I was quitting gymnastics, I could not sit on my butt every weekend and do nothing. [laughs] I remember my mom standing in the kitchen and she was on the phone. When she hung up, she asked, “Do you want to take acting classes?” I was like, “Yeah, absolutely!” I loved movies. I loved the theater. My mom is a Broadway violinist, so I grew up watching theater, hanging out backstage, and ogling over the actors. But it’s not something that I thought of as a profession because I was so busy hating gymnastics. [laughs]
I just wanted to be a normal kid, play video games, and hang out with my friends. But that wasn’t in the cards for me. I started acting classes at Lee Strasberg, and I fell in love with it. After the first class, pulling all the emotions out of my childhood, I knew this was for me. [laughs] I never wavered from that. I thought about studying psychology or becoming a lawyer but never a doctor—that’s a crazy life.
There were so many things that I considered since I went to a technical high school. They didn’t let me go to LaGuardia [Art School] because they’re in the business and they wanted me to explore other options. They knew it was a tough life, so they wanted to see if there was something else I wanted to do. But I realized I wanted to play all these different characters for periods of time. I wanted to be a lawyer but on an Aaron Sorkin show. Acting is the only thing that I’ve ever wanted to do.
PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Sarah: I read some of your previous interviews and saw that you ask that question! I’ve thought about it quite a bit. I don’t know if I have a good answer. My parents are in the business, and they’ve been incredibly supportive like I just said. With the knowledge that they have comes a great amount of doubt. That’s not something that I have in me naturally, so seeing my parents, who I respect so much, have that doubt and look at me like, “What you did, is that good?” I’ve been second-guessing myself for so long that I’m trying to beat that out of myself. I’m trying to listen to my gut and be the actor that I know I can be. They’ve been the biggest influence on my career, good or bad, I’m not sure, a little of both.
Kristen Wiig is one of the funniest people I can think of; Kate McKinnon is probably the other funniest person I can think of; Maya Rudolph, these are my comedic influences. These are people that I want to be.
PC: You’ve been the voice of Ash Ketchum since 2006. Has anything surprised you about this journey, experience, or process?
Sarah: A couple of things actually! I speak about this often, but there was a lot of hatred at the beginning. That was a huge influence on my career because that’s no way to start your career. I had to deal with a bunch of people hating me. As an actor, it’s natural to want to please everyone, to follow direction, to take direction well, be great, show up on time, and go home. Having so much hatred from the fandom after I booked this amazing job with death threats and petitions to get me fired—that gave me a huge amount of pause. It took my parents’ doubt and amplified it. That put a huge stop in my career.
The moment that started bringing things back is probably Pokémon Go. Pokémon Go brought me out of my shell quite a bit. I did a few interviews with the Guardian, Business Insider, and Syfy. I started getting more positive attention from people. They recognized who I am. I did a couple of conventions and there were people there who wanted to meet me. There were kids who were like, “Oh my gosh! You’re Ash!” That definitely turned the tide for me in terms of how I felt about myself and being this figure and how I felt about the business in general.
PC: There have been a few different actors who have played Ash. Was it a challenge to make this character your own?
Sarah: I didn’t find that to be a challenge. It happened pretty organically. The initial challenge was to match the voice and essence of the character that’s been so lovingly established by Veronica Taylor. Over time, it became my own. It became what it is today.
PC: There’s a new Pokémon film coming out soon. Is there anything you can tease about it?
Sarah: No. [laughs] It’s going to be amazing. He’s going to go on great journeys unlike ever before.
PC: In addition, you’re also the co-founder of Voices for Fosters. Tell us about the organization and how that came to fruition.
Sarah: Voices for Fosters is an organization of voice actors who are passionate about animal rescue and fostering. My beloved cat passed away in 2017. Our director, Lisa Ortiz, her two cats passed away the year prior. We were recording an episode where a Pokémon dies, and we just looked at each other and started crying. Right after my cat died, I started fostering. As a cat lover, I didn’t even know what fostering was. I started noticing they were popping up more and more around the country. I realized people don’t know what fostering is. Fostering is probably the single most effective way to end euthanasia by getting people to understand that they can have pets in their home temporarily to raise them or to socialize them. Then you give them back to the shelter or you help get them adopted with the help of the shelter. Designated fosters always have the support of the shelter.
PC: Having been a part of this industry for over a decade, what’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
Sarah: That it’s rarely personal, and I’m not alone. This is a great question. There will be people who don’t like you, and that’s okay. If you’re in a business where you’re the product, you have to be okay with that. You have to be fully committed in making yourself as a commodity. That was something that I wasn’t okay with because I had that discomfort of knowing that people hated me. That’s no way to start a career. I wish I knew it wasn’t personal. Even my casting directors, producers, and directors are picking the person that’s best for their project. They’re not hating you.
Pop Culturalist Speed Round
PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Sarah: I watch The Bachelor while I’m cleaning my house. I don’t actually sit down and watch it.
PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Sarah: I saw Road to Perdition thirteen times in the movie theater. I wouldn’t say it’s a guilty pleasure, but it’s one that I can watch over and over.
PC: Favorite book?
Sarah: City of Thieves is a great book.
PC: Favorite play or musical?
Sarah: Favorite play is probably The Pillowman. Favorite musical? Gypsy is way up there. I’m also partial to A Christmas Carol that was done at Madison Square Garden. My mom played in it.
PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Sarah: I never talk about music. I listen to a lot of classical.
PC: Who play you in the story of your life?
Sarah: Saoirse Ronan
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