EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Abby Trott

From Cult Anime to International Red Carpets

Conducted by Guillaume Jean Lefebvre

1. You started your voice acting journey in Japan before making a name for yourself in the U.S. What first drew you to this world, and how did that experience shape your career today?

When I was in college, I was a dual major in Theater and East Asian Studies. After graduating, I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to focus on as an actor, and my Japanese teacher suggested I apply to the JET Program — a teaching exchange program in Japan. I decided that the JET program would be a great opportunity to see a bit of the world. At the time, I had never been on an airplane.
I spent two years in Akita, Japan, teaching English in elementary and middle school. This experience gave me a sense of independence and made me feel capable — capable enough to move to Tokyo by myself, to try to get back to acting and music. During this time, I was "gigging," as performers do, auditioning for whatever I could as an actor/singer. I ended up finding a wonderful job performing in children's shows that were aimed at teaching English. These shows needed some character voices for puppets, and I ended up auditioning for and booking several roles. While I had done a bit of narration and promo here and there, this is where it really clicked for me that voiceover was something I loved, and could potentially be good at. I've been a fan of video games, animation, and anime since I was a kid, and I wanted to pursue that side of voiceover. This meant leaving Japan — even though my Japanese had gotten pretty dang good, I would never be a native speaker, and the English voiceover opportunities I was hoping for were mainly back in the U.S. I am now based in LA and am convinced that if I had moved here straight after college, I would have struggled. I wasn't ready and didn't know myself well enough; this town would have chewed me up and spat me back out.

2. You voice Momo Ayase in DanDaDan, a series that blends sci-fi, the paranormal, and humor. What fascinated you most about this character?

At first glance, Momo can come across as abrasive and loud, but she is a much deeper character than that. She's sensitive. She was bullied as a child and will not stand for letting others get bullied. Momo fights for those she loves and will always do what's right in the end, even if it's difficult to admit she was wrong. Plus, she's hilarious! I adore Shion Wakayama's performance as Momo, and in the English dub, I'm trying to capture the realness and charm that Wakayama-san has as Momo.

From Demon Slayer to DanDaDan on Netflix, Abby Trott has become one of the most iconic voices of her generation. An actress and singer, she first made a name for herself in Japan before conquering the world as the unforgettable Nezuko Kamado, a heroine who has touched millions of fans across the globe.
But Abby Trott is much more than just a voice: she also shines in major productions, successful video games, and even on the red carpet, where she brings a touch of unexpected glamour to the world of animation.

In this exclusive interview for Eclair Magazine, she opens up about her journey, her upcoming projects, her passion for art in all its forms, and shares an inspiring perspective on both her career and life.

Discover her exclusive interview in this issue of Eclair Magazine.

INTERVIEW

3.You are best known for bringing Nezuko to life in Demon Slayer, a global phenomenon. How have you experienced the worldwide success of this role and the fans’ strong connection to the character?

Demon Slayer has been life-changing. It's incredible to be part of such an impactful story. No matter where I go in the world — New Zealand, Japan, Scotland, Dubai... Nezuko is iconic. I love to meet all the mini-Nezukos and ask them what they love about the character. So many relate to her for her strength and resilience, as well as her cuteness, and I'm here for it!

4.You’ll reprise Nezuko in Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, coming to theaters this September. How are you preparing for such a highly anticipated project, and what emotions are you feeling ahead of the release?

I'm just incredibly excited for people to see this movie. So many people have been working hard to make this an epic theatrical event. I love these characters so much, and can't wait for everyone to see them shine with Ufotable's gorgeous animation.

5.You’ve voiced Wonder Woman, characters in League of Legends, and even had roles in games like Persona 5 Royal. How do you manage to shift between such different universes while keeping your authenticity?

As an actor, I'm looking for the character's point of view. I find any character relatable in some way, and as long as I can understand where they're coming from and what they're about, I can speak as that character from a place of truth.

6. You attend conventions all around the world. What has been your most memorable encounter or fan story that left a lasting impression on you?

I've met so many amazing fans over the years, but one of my favorites is a boy named Jonah and his family. Jonah is the biggest Super Smash Bros. Ultimate fan, and since I sing the English version of the theme "Lifelight," Jonah has come to visit me multiple times. His mother told me how he has autism, and used to be mostly non-verbal, but singing songs like "Lifelight" helped him speak more. I had never dreamed that my work would have such an impact on people, and it became real in that moment. I feel so privileged to do what I love, and for it to have a positive effect on people's lives.

7. We’ve seen you on red carpets recently. What is your relationship with fashion? Do you prefer a more understated style, or do you enjoy embracing elegance and glamour at these events?

I think my daily style is pretty tame — graphic tees with jeans, or a simple-but-polished look. However, when it comes to the red carpet — anything goes! I look for what feels right and makes me feel good. I kind of went all out on the first Demon Slayer red carpet. I wanted something cute with Nezuko vibes, so I went with a pink Gemy Maalouf dress with cherry blossom flower petal details, beading, and feather details. Then I brought in Nezuko's darker, demonic side with some black platform Veneta boots. For the Infinity Castle premiere, I'm going for a color palette inspired by the visuals of the actual castle interior — brown and gold, to capture the light.

Photographer: Lindsey Ruth

8. Your work is very demanding. How do you manage to balance your busy professional life with personal moments of rest and joy?

This is something that I struggle with. When you love what you do, it's difficult to stop working. I have no trouble finding joy in my day-to-day, coming home to an incredible, supportive partner and our two adorable cats. It's the "rest" part that I need to work on! Acting is a profession that can be so random; it's hard to say no to work opportunities when they arise, because you never know when the next one might come. Even though I've reached a point in my career where I've been lucky enough to be working steadily, it's hard to turn down opportunities because I love what I do. I'm slowly learning how to schedule free time for myself, and quality time to spend doing other things I enjoy... but it's a work in progress!

9. If you could associate your career with a fragrance, a haute couture piece, or a piece of jewelry, which one would you choose and why?

I would say the Madame Paulette hat from the Ascot scene of My Fair Lady. In one of my first musical performances on stage in high school, I played Eliza Doolittle, and my incredibly talented mother made me a look-alike hat for part of my costume. This is symbolic of the support in my pursuit of such a notoriously unstable career. As an actor, I get to wear many hats — and this was the fanciest one of all!

10. Outside of voice acting, is there another artistic field (singing, writing, film, fashion) you would like to explore in the future?

I love music, but I find that right now I don't have as much time to devote to that as I would like. I sing and play the flute, as well as the shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute), but I'm so out of practice. I would also love to write one day — I've got a great idea for a screenplay... or at least it's great in my mind. I guess we'll see once I get it down on paper.

11. If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

I think I would say to not care so much about what other people think. I've always been a people-pleaser, but I've learned that as long as you are living authentically, true to your own values and standards, you will find yourself closer to happiness.