**FOR ALL THE VIEWERS READING, PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.**
Hello, I’m Laya Hoffman—a multi-award-winning voice actor, podcast producer, and the host of the She Sounds Like Me podcast based in Atlanta, GA. Outside of the industry, some friends know me as Rachael, but I answer to both names. When I entered the industry, there was already another Rachael Hoffman, and SAG/AFTRA prefers to avoid duplicates, so I go by my middle name, Laya, professionally.
I’ve been a working voice actor for over 24 years and full-time since 2019. My vocal specialties include commercial, promos, political work, corporate narration, and live announcing/emceeing. I’ve had the honor of voicing thousands of clients all over the world from my state-of-the-art, broadcast-quality home studio, where I’m often joined by my 12-year-old daughter, Cyla, who is also an award-winning voice actor.
2. **PLEASE TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.**
My passion for music propelled me toward a career in radio broadcasting, where I studied at Columbia College in my hometown of Chicago. These days, I’m a retired club DJ, but back in the day, I had my sights set on becoming a radio jock. After facing some personal traumas and challenges, school took a backseat and I wasn’t able to complete my degree. But did that stop me? Absolutely not! I moved from Chicago to Colorado, took up snowboarding, and landed a gig as a midday host at a local radio station, KFMU. As a radio personality, I was often asked to voice local commercials, which I did regularly. Little did I know, I was already working in voice-overs before I even realized it could be a professional career.
4. **PLEASE SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.**
Before diving into voice acting, I had a career in marketing, with my last title being VP of Marketing for a well-known beauty brand. The job was intense and had me jet-setting around the globe, which was a fabulous perk, but I was hardly home to see my daughter, Cyla, who was just four at the time. I wanted to be present in her life, so I worked with a personal development coach to explore my creative outlets. With my love for storytelling and a knack for making my voice heard, I thought, “If I can market myself like I market the biggest brands, I’ll succeed and stay home with my family!” It was a risk—leaving the security of corporate life—but I knew betting on myself was the way to go. And guess what? I absolutely did, teaching my daughter to do the same along the way, supported by my incredible husband. We’ve never looked back.
About a year into voice work, Cyla started showing interest too. She’d come home from Kindergarten and ask to “read” scripts. With her unique, audibly androgynous tone and sparkling personality, it wasn’t long before she became a booking machine at just five years old.
When COVID hit, we were lucky to have built a substantial home studio that became the perfect creative space for us both. I didn’t know it at the time, but that asset would help propel our careers since we had top-tier audio capabilities. At the same time, we started having deep conversations that we thought might benefit others, leading to the birth of the She Sounds Like Me Podcast. We like to say the show tackles monster topics made small for conscious kids and their modern-minded grown-ups. Discussions range from systemic racism, bullying, and politics to schoolwork, pursuing passions, and pets. It’s the first unscripted, child-led podcast of its kind and resonates with people all over the world. Cyla and I are incredibly proud of this work. In 2022, I was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, and we chose to focus on healing instead of working on the show. While production is paused for now, the podcast still lives on across all platforms. In 2023, we won a Society of Voice Arts Award for Best Podcast Hosts/Producers, which was a thrilling accomplishment. Now that I’m on the other side of my cancer journey, I’m optimistic about bringing the show back—so stay tuned!
5. **PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THEM.**
The hot topic affecting everyone in entertainment—and truly all humans on Earth—is how to engage efficiently yet safely with AI advancements. As technology evolves, so will the voice-over industry. Thankfully, the good folks at the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA) are hard at work advocating for our rights and creating legislation on a national level to protect us. Their outstanding efforts are finally yielding policy changes that benefit not just voice actors, but everyone. Until then, we’re addressing concerns with our clients by passing along AI riders and provisions as part of our project agreements. There’s a long road ahead, but these efforts give us peace of mind.
As a female voice actor focusing on sports and television promos, trailers, and other male-dominated divisions of voice-over, I’m thrilled to partner with changemakers like Christy Harst and the Building Doors campaign. As a board member and door builder, we’re shining a light on the disparities for women in these arenas, and brands are taking note. Check out www.buildingdoorsvo.com for more information on these incredible efforts.
6. **WHO IS SOMEONE INSPIRATIONAL THAT YOU ADMIRE IN THIS INDUSTRY?**
I admire any woman who uses her voice for good; it takes bravery and courage to speak up. In the voice-over industry, I’m constantly inspired by women like Cissy Jones and Carin Gilfrey—not only for their bodies of work but also for their advocacy, legislation work, and AI protections for voice actors and all humans. Silvia Villigren, Randy Thomas and Queen Noveen have paved an incredible path in the live announce space. The founder of the Building Doors campaign and current VO Atlanta Unicorn Award Winner, Christy Harst, has made gigantic strides for women’s voices in sports, and I couldn’t be more impressed with her relentless efforts. And let’s not forget the entire tribe of powerhouse women in the industry who have become more than colleagues; they’re inspirational friends and confidants, embracing Cyla and me in so many ways. Shoutout to Marissa Blake, Adrienne LaValley, Morgan Meadows, Nicole Britton, Trevor Johns, Caroline Slaughter, Kelly Butrick, Jill Perry, Joey Schalio, Milena Tinco, Emma O’Neil, Danielle Famble, Brigid Reale, Jessica Bulavsky, Tina Morasco, Robyn Starr, Courtney Hetrick, Erikka J, and recent Fusion Mag cover artist Marie Westbrook to name just a few. I wouldn’t be half the talent, mom, or woman in this biz without them.
7. **IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE WITH?**
Oh gosh, yes! I’m always looking to lock in the “golden handcuffs” of consistent network promos. I’d be beyond thrilled to work on one of the major award shows and be part of those incredible productions like the Emmys, Oscars, CMAs, or VMAs. I plan to secure a long-term role with a national automotive brand this year and narrate a series for a sinister or salacious show. In the political space, the Lincoln Project is on my target list for their innovative messaging in creative ad campaigns. Cyla would love to continue her work in commercials and toys, but like most kids in the biz, she dreams of seeing her name in the credits as the voice of the next big characters in animated movies.
8. **PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.**
Every vein of voice-over excites me! As an actor with strong bi-coastal management and representation, I have the unique opportunity to dabble in various arenas every day. This year, I’m actively securing more live announce/emcee/VOG opportunities since being in front of a crowd and the energy of live events electrify me. As the official VOG for Delta Airlines, we collaborate on several events throughout the year, and for me, it’s a blast! Collaborating in real-time, following behind-the-scenes cues, and adapting on the fly is exhilarating. I light up every time. I’m also wildly passionate about sports, events, and network promos, as my vocal range can adapt to many styles, and I love the science behind it. Storytelling is at the heart of everything I do, and I anticipate you’ll hear my voice in more in-show narration projects in the coming year. However, my personal ethos leans hard into equality, fairness, and democracy for all, so I’ll continue to use my voice for good, championing progressive political spots and candidates whose values I share in the upcoming elections.
11. **WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?**
A good voice actor possesses a versatile range, emotional intelligence, and the ability to connect with the audience. They should also be willing to take risks, embrace feedback, be able to rock many hats and continuously hone their craft. Oh, and let’s not forget the importance of a killer sense of humor. Check, check and check!
12. **NOW IN TODAY'S SOCIETY, EVERYTHING IS DONE REMOTELY. DO YOU ENJOY THIS PROCESS, OR DO YOU PREFER TO SHOW UP AT THE STUDIO?**
Showing up at the studio has become a rarity for me, with 99.5% of my work done from my own space. However, I adore the opportunity to work elsewhere! There’s a certain magic that unfolds when you collaborate in person, focusing solely on the performance rather than also being your own engineer. I wish more decision-makers considered this and booked studio time for themselves and the talent. It would help secure longevity for studio owners and bring projects to life in ways you just can’t match when you’re in your own studio silo. That said, take one look at mine, and you’ll see how special it is to work here every day! I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share this colorful and creative space with my daughter—some of our best work has come from right here at home.
14. **WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?**
My day consists of 90% rejection. Yes, you read that right—90% NO! Although we rarely hear those words, that’s the reality. After over 20 years in this industry, I book between 10-20% of the work I audition for, which can mean 20-30 auditions a day. I start my day with my family, a solid workout, or a walk in nature with my dogs before heading to the studio. Some days I spend two hours in the studio, while others I’m there for 8-10 hours, but the flexibility is what I love. I dictate most of my schedule, allowing me to be a dance mom, travel when I want, and manage my time effectively. This can be a challenge for those who aren’t organized, which is why I tend to work in blocks. While I try to protect my downtime and take weekends off, I still fit in sessions, coaching, marketing, accounting, and, of course, more auditions every single day. On the rare occasion I “book out” when traveling, I almost always have my mobile rig with me. There’s an industry saying: if you’re in a dry spell, go on vacation—you’ll almost always book a job as soon as you do. A blessing and, to some, it could be a curse but to me every booking, hold or avail check is a WIN I’ll take while hard at work or taking time away.
15. **WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN VOICE OVER WORK?**
The first and most important thing I tell anyone asking about getting started in VO is to take a good look at your resources and evaluate what you and your family are willing to risk—not just financially but also in terms of time, effort, and energy. This is a marathon, and it takes much more than talent to succeed. Like any entrepreneur, you must wear several hats to thrive because it will be a long time before you can delegate jobs you don’t enjoy, aren’t good at, or don’t have time for. Voice-over as a full-time profession is not for the weak, and it’s not “easy money”—it’s actually the opposite. You have to LOVE this with all your heart. So, take a close look within and do your homework. Those who work hard, hustle, and believe in themselves with a strong support system have the potential to go far.
17. **YOU ARE CURRENTLY ACTIVE AS A VOICE OVER. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2025? WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU FOR 2025?**
More hard work, hustle, realness, gratitude and positive energy!
Here’s a polished version of your response, enhancing clarity, grammar, and tone:
**18. CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?**
In the past few years, Cyla and I have been fortunate to receive recognition for our work, including a few One Voice Awards and a SOVAS for our podcast. In 2023, I won Best Promo Performance for opening ESPN's X-Games and was also nominated for Voice Actress of the Year. That same year, Cyla won Best Children’s Performance for her work on the nuts.com campaign. It was especially thrilling to be part of the first parent-child duo to win in our respective categories at the One Voice Awards—a huge honor for both of us!
At the 2024 One Voice Awards, I was honored to win Best Television Commercial Performance for a Female for my work in the Advent Health campaign, while Cyla received another nomination for her performance in Free Country. Being recognized by our peers in the industry is an unbelievable feeling, but watching my daughter win big for using her voice for good is a moment I will cherish forever.
As of now, I’m voicing TV promos for *Your Friends and Neighbors* with Jon Hamm on Apple TV+, thanks to my amazing team at SBV. I also have several major commercial campaigns currently airing, including one for Eli Lilly that discusses cancer trials. As a proud breast cancer survivor, this project holds particular significance for me as I advocate for increased research and development for a cure for all cancers. Additionally, Cyla and I are part of the in-house talent roster at Pandora/Sirius XM, where you can regularly hear us on your favorite podcasts and streaming stations.
19. **IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK, CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEBSITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?**
www.layahoffman.com
IG / LI: @layahoffman
20. **ANY LAST MESSAGE YOU'D LIKE TO SAY TO ALL THE READERS?**
Never underestimate the power you possess! The laws of attraction, intention, and manifestation, combined with hard work, dedication, and hustle, can compound to greatness. If you can dream big and have the moxie to back it up, you will go far—no matter your interest or industry. But in that process, never forget to stand in your power, speak out, and be heard. It’s the most magnetic collective asset we have.
