Voicelings Student Featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show

Sometimes, the voice acting universe feels impossibly big. Other times, it reminds you just how connected (and how magical) it really is.

For Nigel King, a Voicelings student and professional voice actor from Tennessee, that moment came in the form of an unexpected email. The sender? The Kelly Clarkson Show. The ask? Fly to New York to perform impressions for two of the most legendary voices of all time: Tom Kenny and Mark Hamill on national television.

Yes, that Tom Kenny. The voice of SpongeBob SquarePants. And yes, that Mark Hamill. Luke Skywalker. The Lost Dutchman. The Joker. Both are inspirations for countless performers, both on and off the screen.

And in a beautiful full-circle moment, Tom Kenny had also appeared late last year as a Voicelings Legends Live guest. Proof, once again, that in voice acting, the world is smaller and more supportive than you think.

Discovering Voicelings and Saying Yes 

Nigel joined Voicelings just a few months ago, but the spark had been there from the very beginning.

“I heard about it when it first came out,” he says. “I was always really keen to get on. I love Tara Strong. I love all things voice acting. So, of course, I had to be a part of this.”

Like many aspiring voice actors, Nigel’s path into voice-over didn’t start in a booth – it started with curiosity and a love of animation. He began doing impressions online and realized something important: this wasn’t just a hobby. It could be a career.

“I’ve always been a huge pop culture nerd,” Nigel explains. “I’ve always loved understanding how cartoons, movies, and media work behind the scenes. Voice acting felt like a natural extension of that fascination.”

Five Years of Building, Posting, and Expanding His Range

Nigel has been creating voice content online for about five years, using platforms like YouTube and TikTok to refine his skills, stretch his range, and develop confidence.

“At first it was impressions,” he says. “Then I realized, okay, I can grow this. I can extend my range naturally. And, uh, here we are!”

That consistency: showing up, experimenting, and improving, laid the groundwork for everything that followed.

And then came the email…

The Email That Changed Everything

The Kelly Clarkson Show had seen Nigel’s impressions online, especially his SpongeBob voice. Luckily, his business email was clearly listed in his bio.

“They told me they were having Tom Kenny and Mark Hamill on for the new SpongeBob movie,” Nigel says. “And they wanted me to come out and do impressions for them.”

His reaction? Shock. Excitement. A little disbelief.

“I couldn’t believe what I was reading,” he admits. “I sent it to a buddy of mine who’s also a voice actor. He said, ‘This looks real.’ And once I realized it was legit – I jumped on it.”

The nerves were real right up until the cameras rolled.

“But once the camera hit me,” Nigel says, “I was in play. I knew what I was doing.”

You can watch the segment here. 

Meeting Legends and Being Met With Kindness

For Nigel, meeting Tom Kenny and Mark Hamill wasn’t just exciting. It was deeply personal, and a voice actor’s dream come true.

“These are two of my biggest inspirations ever,” he says. “I’d already hosted convention panels and even done a Squidward ‘squid-off’ with Rodger Bumpass before (the voice of Squidward Tentacles). But this? This was next level.”

After the segment, Tom Kenny stood up, shook Nigel’s hand, and told him how amazing he did. He brought him over for photos. Mark Hamill asked Nigel to perform his Joker impression again, just for fun.

“They were both delighted,” Nigel says. “It was so, so amazing.”

Nigel’s Advice for Voicelings and Aspiring Voice Actors

Nigel’s story isn’t about overnight success. It’s about visibility, preparation, and putting yourself out there where opportunity can find you.

His advice is clear:

• Put yourself out there.
• Use social media, it matters now more than ever.
• Post impressions, if you have them, they get people’s attention, but mix in traditional voice acting so people understand your range.
• Always include your email in your bio. You never know what can happen!

That email in his bio? It led to New York. National television. And a moment he’ll carry forever.

Why This VO Success Matters for Voicelings Students

Nigel’s journey reflects exactly what Tara Strong’s Voicelings stand for: accessible, real-world paths into voice acting, supported by community, mentorship, and practical guidance.

Whether you’re just starting out or refining your craft through online voice acting classes, stories like Nigel’s are a reminder that talent plus consistency plus visibility can open extraordinary doors.

Sometimes, all it takes is one post – and one yes.

Follow Nigel on social to see his impressions and clips from The Kelly Clarkson Show:

Instagram: @potent_frog

TikTok: @potentfrog

YouTube: @potentfrog

And if this story speaks to you… Don’t put off your VO dreams any longer. You deserve to be here.