By VOICE-TRIBUNE • Photos by Kathryn Harrington
In the world of entertainment, the bond between actors and their fans goes far beyond the screen. For fans, actors represent more than just characters— they often see reflections of themselves in what is portrayed on screen, finding comfort, inspiration, and resonance in the roles that mirror their own personal struggles, dreams, and experiences. For many actors, fans are the heartbeat of their success and fuel their passion for their craft. This connection is celebrated at events like Louisville PopCon, where the barrier between performers and their audiences is lifted. At these conventions, actors and fans have the rare opportunity to engage face-to-face. The VOICE-TRIBUNE got a chance to speak with some of the guest stars at this year’s Louisville PopCon and ask their thoughts and what they enjoy the most about this unique experience.
This is what they had to share.
Ethan Peck
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Discovery
"I try to never forget how special it is that I get to play this role. It’s just so nice to embrace the joy, happiness, and excitement that people come to the table with. They are so inspired by this world that we as actors get to help create."
Vincent Martella (Left)
Phineas & Ferb, Everybody Hates Chris
David Errigo Jr (Right)
Phineas & Ferb, Yu-gi-oh! Arc-V, Final Fantasy XV, Tiny Toons Looniversity, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf, X-Men ‘97
"It’s connecting with fans, being able to talk to them. Meeting the people who really appreciate the work that I have gotten to do with other people. It’s really meaningful as an artist of any kind to be able to meet the people that care about the things that you do and the things that you’ve spent a lot of your life working on."
-Vincent
"The faces that people give. There was somebody who came up named Eli, and Eli just like, started jumping up and down and vibrating and he wound unapologizing, and I was like ‘Oh, no, no!’ We love to be able to give that to people, that authentic excitement. Vincent Martella spoke to a nonverbal child in Columbus, and he started talking to him in the Phineas voice and the kid started to talk to him. Even his mom was excited because he doesn’t speak. That’s why we do it, it’s incredible."
-David
Mike Colter
Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Evil, The Defenders
"My favorite aspect of the Cons that I go to is really a chance to be one-on-one with the fans. In real life, you’re walking around and engaging sometimes and encounter people but it’s not the venue because everyone’s doing their own thing and it’s not set up to really engage. I give people the time of day, but you know, I’m a person and I like boundaries. This is an opportunity for them to come up and talk to me and give their time and engage and I can listen to them. It’s because of the fans that I’m here. It’s because of the fans that I get to do television and Film. I think this sets it up so there is a time and a place for it, and I like that."
Lilli Cooper
Hazbin Hotel, Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock
"I am a huge fan of the cosplay. The skill and talent and artistry of the people I get to meet is honestly mind blowing. It’s just so thrilling to be able to meet people that I never ever would have crossed paths with otherwise. These conventions are really special because we get to meet people that we never would have met and we obviously have a very common interest, its a special connection."
Bryce Pinkham
Hazbin Hotel, Helluva Boss
"I enjoy getting the feedback and we’re helping generate meaning in other peoples lives. I think thats a really valuable use of our time on earth, is to generate meaning in someone else’s life.I get a lot of feedback about my character and about the show and I see people of all walks of life, of all identities, all sexualities, and they feel seen and heard by our show. I think it’s kind of ironic that a show that takes place in hell is the most welcoming. That’s very gratifying to me and so I get to see that Firsthand. When I’m in the booth its just me and the microphone but when I’m here I get to meet the fans and hear what it means to them and hear what my character or my songs have done for them. I met a couple today who played my song to their baby when it was still in utero and then they were here with the baby today and I got to sing the song to the baby. It was awesome. Stuff like that you dont get unless you come out and meet the fans."
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