Kathleen Herles is best known for voicing the iconic character Dora the Explorer for over a decade. Initially cast at the age of 7, Herles worked on the pilot for over a year before the show premiered when she was 10 years old in August 2000. The show ran for eight seasons until August 2019 and featured Dora and her best friend Boots going on epic adventures. Herles, a first-generation Peruvian American, found voice acting to be a significant learning experience for her and her parents who emigrated from Peru. Despite having an inkling that the show might be a success, Herles never anticipated the immense impact she would have on kids her age.
After the success of the original series, Paramount+ is set to launch a revival series of Dora called “Dora” with Diana Zermeno voicing the character. In a full-circle moment, Herles voices Dora’s mother, Mami, in the new series. She notes that while there will be differences in the reboot, there will also be similarities that will resonate with both her generation and the current generation of young viewers. Herles acknowledges the emotional impact of hearing Zermeno as the new voice of Dora, recognizing that she will lead a new generation on their own magical adventures.
Herles’s life changed dramatically when she became the voice of Dora, transitioning from a full-time elementary student to recording lines for various projects associated with the show. She explains that the high-pitched voice she used for Dora was simply how she sounded when she was younger, allowing her to easily slip back into the character. Herles emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sense of playfulness in her voice acting work, striving to uphold the same youthful energy she embodied as a child actor.
Dora the Explorer was a historic turning point for children’s entertainment, featuring a Latina character who openly spoke Spanish. Herles, as one of the few Latinas in the industry at the time, was instrumental in paving the way for diversity in voice acting. She reflects on the stigma surrounding accents within the Latinx community and her own struggles with identity growing up. Despite facing challenges, Herles affirms her Latina heritage and emphasizes the importance of not being typecast in her voice acting roles.
By voicing Dora, Herles believes she played a crucial role in paving the way for diverse representation in children’s programming and animation. The character served as a gateway to new experiences for children and made a significant impact on young viewers. Her favorite episode to record was “Dora’s Fairytale Adventure,” where Dora became a princess, resonating with Herles on a personal level as she also dreamed of playing such roles. She reflects on the impact of Dora in shaping her childhood and believes the character’s legacy will always be a part of her.
Despite her impressive voice acting career and accolades, Herles admits to struggling with imposter syndrome, particularly when surrounded by seasoned professionals in the industry. However, she emphasizes the importance of finding a supportive community within the industry and how it has helped boost her confidence and push her to strive for excellence. As she continues to reflect on Dora’s legacy and the impact of her voice work, Herles acknowledges the significance of her contribution to children’s entertainment and the lasting impression she has made on audiences worldwide.
