Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Katrina Salisbury

Katrina Salisbury’s career is off to the races. The athlete-turned-actor-director-writer remembers the pivotal moment when she found herself at a crossroads, having to choose between the two. While she was grappling with that decision, a family friend asked her an important question: “What can you see yourself doing for the rest of your life?” Katrina’s answer: the arts!

Since then, she’s brought iconic characters to life on the screen in projects including My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, Beyblade Burst, and Kiznaiver. Which has been her favorite? She tells us in this exclusive interview.

PC: You’re an actress, director, and writer. How did you discover your passion for the arts? Is there one that you naturally gravitate towards?
Katrina: I was about five years old when I acted in my first play, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I played Sneezy, which was a small part that didn’t have too many lines, but it did require quite a lot of sneezing. I ended up memorizing the whole play: the lines, the blocking, everything.

While on stage, most kids forgot their lines and what to do—I mean we were five [laughs]—but my parents have video of me running around whispering lines into the ears of the others, pointing where to go and what to do next. Since then, I haven’t been able to shake the acting bug, but it wasn’t until last year that I finally sunk my teeth into writing and directing.

I would say I naturally gravitate towards voice acting. I can pick up new voices easily, and I’m a pretty animated person already. One of my favorite hobbies is mimicking voices on cartoon shows while annoying my partner. Love you, boo!

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Katrina: As an actor, I’ve always looked up to people like Tara Strong, Alan Tudyk, and Mark Hamill. All are incredible voice and on-camera actors who have brought to life some pretty iconic characters: the Joker, Harley Quinn, Timmy Turner, and K-2SO.

For writing and directing, I would love one day to be even half as good as Taika Waititi. I don’t think he’s ever made a bad thing in his life. I like making and watching comedies with heart wrapped up in a beautiful package, and I think Taika is perfect at that. I think it’s also very important to maintain a fun, healthy, professional work environment on set, and who demonstrates that better than the guy in a pineapple onesie?

And last but not least, my family. I’ve been lucky enough to have two loving parents that have always pushed me to follow my dreams and be one hundred percent supportive along the way. As an actor, that can be a rare thing to come by, so I feel like I’ve won the lottery in that regard. I also have my partner to thank. He’s always there for me, whether I want feedback on an audition, someone to read a new script I’ve started, or to keep my ego in check. I think we all need one of those.

PC: What’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started your career?
Katrina: To relax and be confident. I would get so nervous walking into a new studio and recording with others for the first time. The first few shows I did, I would come home and be like, “That’s it. They hated what I’m doing, and I’m getting fired.” Obviously that was just my self-doubt talking, and that never happened. To any new voice actors out there, you’re there because you’re talented and they want you to be there! Just let yourself shine. Also know that casting is your friend, and they want you to succeed, so don’t let them down.

PC: You’ve done a ton of voice-over work. What’s the biggest misconception about that art form?
Katrina: I have a lot of people tell me, “Oh, you do voice-over? I can make a lot of voices too!” But that’s not what it’s about. Yes, it does require you to be able to manipulate your voice to sound different, but without the proper acting training and putting in the text analysis work, all you’re doing is making different silly voices; you’re not becoming an actualized character with relationships, thoughts, and feelings.

PC: You’ve brought iconic characters to life in My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, Beyblade Burst, Kiznaiver, and tons more. Do you have a favorite character you’ve voiced? How are you able to make each character your own?
Katrina: My favorite character I’ve voiced so far would have to be Yona from My Little Pony for many reasons. She is like me in so many ways: clumsy and tripping over nothing constantly, a slightly bigger build. Overall, she’s always learning and trying to make the world a little bit brighter. I’ve had a few women tell me how much it means to them to feel represented by seeing themselves in Yona and being accepted just as she is. I’m immensely grateful for the friendships I’ve made, the people I’ve met and continue to meet because of this character and series.

With any good character, I feel there is always a part of the actor incorporated into the character they are playing. I try to find a piece of myself in each character I play, whether it’s a villain, a hero, or a neutral character. There’s always something you can attach yourself to, to make you understand and portray that character honestly. A saying I’ve heard a lot and fully agree with is “people are capable of anything, given the right circumstances.”

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Katrina: Bob’s Burgers. Not because it’s a bad show; it’s an amazing show. It’s just embarrassing the amount of time I’ve spent on my couch watching it.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Katrina: Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. A little while ago, I even attended a quote-along event for it at my local theater.

PC: Favorite book?
Katrina: My adult coloring book. Okay, yes, I need to read more.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Katrina: I’ll give you both. Play: The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. Musical: Phantom of the Opera.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Katrina: The Lonely Island. Although if you refer to answer number two, you may not be so surprised.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Katrina: Probably Mae Whitman—we look alike. Or Florence Pugh—I stan.

To keep up with Katrina, follow her on Twitter and Instagram.