Meet Emma Nelson: The Afrikaans Voice of Elif
After four and a half years, we finally get to meet the voice behind the Afrikaans dubbing of Elif!
Introducing Emma Nelson
When Elif first aired, there was no available photo of Emma Nelson, the young voice actress who brought Elif to life. However, during a special farewell screening hosted by eMedia in downtown Cape Town, Emma took center stage alongside her parents, Elinor and Pierre Nelson. Pierre, a voiceover artist and dubbing director at Overklank, played a crucial role in the Afrikaans adaptation of the show.
Emma, who was just 10 years old when she started voicing Elif, is now 15. Her journey in the dubbing industry has been nothing short of inspiring.
Emma’s Journey into Voice Acting
How did you land the role of Elif?
Emma: My dad, who also works as a voiceover artist, told me about the audition. I initially auditioned for both Elif and Tugçe, another young character. I was really hoping to voice Tugçe because I loved her attitude, but to my surprise, I was chosen for Elif. It was my first-ever acting job, and I felt overwhelmed yet incredibly grateful.
Balancing Life and Dubbing
How often did you have to record, and how did it impact your life?
Emma: I didn’t record every day—maybe once a week, sometimes more during school holidays. In the holidays, I’d spend an entire day in the studio, recording multiple episodes. The process is quite fast since it mainly involves reading and recording.
A Special Connection with Elif
How would you describe your relationship with the character?
Emma: To be honest, Elif sometimes annoys me, but I’ve grown really fond of her. I’ve watched her grow up, and in a way, my voice grew up with her. She holds a special place in my heart, and it’s surreal that the show is coming to an end.
Recognition at School
Do your friends know you’re the voice of Elif?
Emma: Some of my friends know, but I don’t tell many people because dubbing a Turkish show isn’t something everyone understands. One of my friends hears my voice a lot because his mom watches Elif! Laughs.
Future Aspirations
What do you plan to do after finishing school?
Emma: I really want to be an actor, but my parents encourage me to have a backup plan. So, if acting doesn’t work out, I want to study psychology and become a therapist.
Growth and Lessons Learned
How have you changed since you started voicing Elif?
Emma: I’ve definitely grown older and learned a lot. I remember everything that happened to Elif in Season 1. Her story teaches an important lesson: no matter how hard life gets, you can still be kind. That’s truly inspirational.
What’s next for you?
Emma: I’ll be acting in a kykNET series called Niggies, premiering in March. This time, you’ll actually see me on screen playing the role of Klipper.
Takeaways from the Elif Experience
What did you learn from being part of Elif?
Emma: I gained valuable insight into the voice acting industry. It also improved my reading speed and clarity, which helped with my school orals. On a lighter note, Elif also taught me not to be too polite to strangers—because in the show, being polite often leads to being kidnapped! Laughs.
A Fond Farewell
Emma’s journey as the voice of Elif has been remarkable, and her story is an inspiring one for young voice actors. As she moves forward in her career, fans can look forward to seeing her in new roles beyond dubbing.
Stay tuned for more entertainment news and updates!
