Voice of the Month – August 2025

Bio

Funmilayo Evelyn Ayodele is a voiceover artist with a deep love for storytelling, singing, acting, and whipping up both delicious meals and meaningful conversations. Her voiceover journey began in childhood, when she entertained herself by creating and voicing imaginary characters, a playful habit that continues to evolve today.

While studying at university, she explored stage acting and drama, which further fueled her passion for the performing arts. As graduation approached, she joined a radio station, where she voiced numerous ads, jingles, station IDs, and signature tunes, gaining hands-on experience in the world of audio production.

In 2025, she made her mark by winning the VOSTAR AFRICA competition. Funmilayo is committed to using her voice to inform, inspire, entertain, and connect. She’s always excited to help bring scripts to life with energy, warmth, and purpose.

The Interview

1. Tell us about yourself and how you started in voiceover.

I’m Evelyn, a voiceover artist with a flair for storytelling, character performance, and impactful communication. I bring scripts to life through versatile voice acting, drawing from my background in radio, stage acting, and content creation. Whether it’s a commercial, narration, IVR, e-learning, or a character-driven project, I deliver with clarity, emotion, and authenticity.

I also provide vocals for brand and product songs tailored to advertising needs; jingles that help connect with your desired audience. I’m always looking to collaborate on meaningful, creative projects that make a difference.

2. What inspired you to pursue this career?

My inspiration is the desire to use my voice as a tool for positive influence. I’ve always believed that storytelling and media are powerful vehicles for shaping minds and sparking change. This path allows me to blend creativity with impact and every project I take on brings me closer to that bigger goal.

3. Who has inspired you the most in the voiceover industry?

I’d say King E and Tcode, within what I’d consider my immediate environment. They are growing steadily, not just in honing their craft, but in making room for others as well. I believe they strike a good balance between growth, impact, and community building.

4. What kind of voiceover projects have you worked on, and which of them excites you the most?

I’ve voiced adverts and jingles for radio stations, including station promos and campaigns for brands, organizations, and startups. Through two voiceover competitions and a range of online voiceover and acting challenges, I’ve explored character-driven and emotionally rich scripts. I especially enjoy projects that let me act through voice and connect with the audience on a deeper level.

5. What are some of your proudest voiceover moments and why?

Making it to the top five of a national voiceover contest in 2021 and being the only woman among the finalists. In 2025, I returned to the competition space and emerged winner of the first-ever African Voiceover Contest. For me, it wasn’t just about winning, but about the growth and evolution the journey reflected. I also take pride in every moment I push myself to learn unfamiliar voiceover genres; the quiet wins that build real confidence over time.

6. Can you briefly walk us through your journey to becoming the winner of the inaugural VO Star Africa?

Winning the inaugural VO Star Africa was the result of four intense, fast-paced weeks of voiceover challenges. Each week came with a new task and barely 24 hours to deliver. I’d start by breaking down the brief, writing, refining, and studying the script. In the later weeks, I also collaborated with group members. One brainstorming session stretched over seven hours as we aligned ideas, assigned tasks, and polished each submission. I pushed myself beyond my comfort zone, often staying up late watching relevant videos to understand unfamiliar genres. Recording wasn’t a walk in the park either. It sometimes took dozens of takes to land a clean, satisfying version. The process was demanding but incredibly rewarding. Balancing it all with everyday life made the win even more meaningful.

7. How did you react when you were announced as the winner?

I screamed and scrummed (as we say it around here). My heart was filled with gratitude…

8. How do you approach character development for a voiceover role? (Describe your creative process.)

I approach every character with intentionality. I start by studying the script to understand the character’s personality, emotion, and context. Sometimes I watch relevant videos to get a clearer sense of delivery and to observe how others approach similar characters. From there, I begin shaping my own version. I experiment with different tones, attitudes, and pacing until it feels natural and true to the role.

9. Walk us through your workflow; how do you prepare for a voiceover session or recording?

I stay hydrated and do mouth exercises to loosen up. If I have the flexibility, I choose my recording time based on the vocal tone I’m aiming for; for example, deeper or darker characters tend to come out better early in the morning or late at night. I also run a quick sound check.

10. How have you been improving your skills?

I improve my skills by staying consistent with practice and always being open to learning. I regularly listen to seasoned voice artists for insight. Also watch training videos, rehearse scripts across styles, and push myself to try new vocal directions. Every project, big or small, is a chance to get better.

11. How do you handle direction and feedback from clients or directors?

I welcome direction and feedback with an open mind. My goal is always to bring the client’s vision to life, so I listen carefully, ask clarifying questions when needed, and make adjustments promptly. If I have a creative idea I believe they might like but aren’t quite seeing yet, I sometimes offer to record two versions so they can choose what works best. It keeps things collaborative and ensures everyone’s happy with the result.

12. What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?

One of my biggest challenges was putting myself out there. I wanted everything to be in place before taking action. But if you wait for perfect, you may never start. So I’m learning to act regardless of how I feel. After all, what makes a success story is the growth it took to get there.

13. What’s the most ridiculous fee you’ve ever accepted for a voiceover project, and how did it happen?

Well let’s just say my earlier offers wouldn’t even get you a decent lunch. I did quite a number of projects for free or for what I call “growth fees.” Those small gigs were stepping stones that helped me build experience and visibility. I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m definitely not where I used to be.

14. How do you discuss rates with clients now? Has it become easier or more difficult?

Discussing rates is still an area I’m growing in. Right now, I’m focused on positioning myself better so I can confidently charge my worth. It’s a journey, but I’m learning to approach pricing with more structure.

15. Have you ever worked with an annoying or overly demanding client? Tell us your most unforgettable ordeal!

Yes I have. There was a project where I agreed to a HEAVILY discounted fee because it was a growing brand. After everything was settled someone from their team still questioned the amount and implied it was too much. It was so condescending I preferred doing it for free rather than explain myself further.

16. What’s your take on the growth of AI and its attendant effects on the VO industry? Should AI be viewed as a threat?

AI is definitely changing the landscape and it’s important to stay aware. But I don’t see it as a major threat, not when you’re committed to growing, evolving and honing your craft. What AI cannot replicate is the human soul behind a performance, the emotional intelligence and the creative instinct that a real voice actor brings. That’s where I focus my energy; becoming so good, so authentic and so versatile.

17. What are your future goals as a VO artist?

I aim to voice projects that truly entertain while subtly shaping values and reinforcing positive mindsets. Whether through cartoons or other creative work, I want to be part of content that leaves people smiling and thinking, in Nigeria and beyond.

18. What advice would you give to other up-and-coming VO artists?

Start with what you have and keep showing up. Growth happens with practice, patience, and persistence. As you evolve, so should your tools, gradually upgrade to meet the demands of the spaces you aspire to enter. Rejections will come, but so will breakthroughs if we keep at it.

19. Where can people find your work and connect with you

You can find my work and connect with me on Instagram @evelyn_dele

Or reach out via email at voevelynn@gmail.com. I’m always open to collaborations, bookings and conversations around voiceover and storytelling.