Men in VO: It’s Time We Hold Each Other Accountable

The biggest threat to voiceover isn’t AI, lowball clients, or a saturated market.

It’s the silence of good men.

That’s right. The real danger to our industry, our reputations, and our futures isn’t a handful of men behaving badly.

It’s the rest of us… men who look away, stay quiet, or rationalize “it’s not my problem.”

If you’re a voice actor, you need to hear this: your business, your brand, and your community depend on what you do next.

The Story We Don’t Want to Tell

I remember the first time I heard a whisper about inappropriate behavior in voiceover. I asked a female colleague if she was going to one particular event, and she told me that a leader at that event had made a couple of inappropriate comments to her, and that she would not be attending because she was uncomfortable around this person.

I don’t know what I thought at that time, but I can tell you that it was a lot closer to, “maybe this is a one-off or misunderstanding” than it was to “that’s a problem, I wonder if this has happened to other women.”

But then the stories multiplied. Suddenly, the problem wasn’t a one-off, and it wasn’t “out there.” It was right here in our own community by someone I know.

And, while I was sad to lose a relationship, I had to cut ties.

The cost of doing nothing, I realized, was even greater.

Why Victims Stay Silent. And Why We Let Them

The COST of Speaking Up

Let’s be clear: coming forward about harassment or assault or even inappropriate comments is terrifying. Victims, especially women, risk being disbelieved, ostracized, or even blacklisted. In an industry built on relationships and reputation, the stakes are sky high. There’s…

• Fear of retaliation: Will I lose work? Will people think I’m “difficult”?

• Shame and self-doubt: Did I do something to invite this? Am I overreacting?

• Isolation: If no one else is speaking up, maybe I’m the only one this has happened to…

These aren’t abstract fears. They’re lived experiences for too many women in our community.

The Bystander’s Dilemma

But what about the rest of us? Why do so many men, good men, stay silent when we see or hear about bad behavior?

• Fear of social fallout: If I call him out, will he be vengeful? Will he and/or his circle make me out to be the bad guy?

• Loyalty to Friends: He’s always been cool to me. Maybe it was a misunderstanding.
  
  This is the mistake I made and I am sorry I made it.

• Uncertainty: What if I get it wrong and this didn’t actually happen? What if it wasn’t that serious? What if it was really a misunderstanding?

These excuses are human. I get it. Hell, I lived it.

But they’re not good enough. I wasn’t good enough.

The Business Case for Accountability

You might be thinking, “This is important, but what does it have to do with my voiceover business?” The answer is: everything.

Trust Is Your Most Valuable Asset

In a world where clients can choose from thousands of voices, your reputation is your currency. If you’re known as someone who tolerates bad behavior, you’ll lose trust, credibility, and work. That’s not my opinion; we’ve seen this play out in real time.

Community Drives Opportunity

Most part-time voice actors dream of going full-time. Full timers dream of growing their business and revenue. Those steps up are only possible with a strong network, referrals, and a supportive community. If we let toxicity fester, we all lose.

Leadership Sets You Apart

Clients, agents, and colleagues want to work with people who lead by example. Being a man who stands up for what’s right isn’t just good ethics. It’s good business.

The Hard Truth: Silence Is Complicity

Let’s call it what it is: when we ignore, excuse, or minimize inappropriate behavior, we, myself included, are part of the problem. Every time we let a sexist joke slide, every time we look the other way, we send a message: “This is okay here.”

It’s not.

How We Got Here: The Culture of Silence

The “Boys’ Club” Mentality

For decades, the entertainment industry has operated on unspoken rules: protect your own, don’t rock the boat, keep it in the family. In VO, where so much happens behind closed doors… private home studios, online chats, late-night conference social events, it’s easy for bad actors to hide.

The Myth of the “Good Guy”

Many men in VO see ourselves as allies. “I’d never do that.” But being a good guy and simply not being inappropriate is the bare minimum; it’s not enough.

We have to be active allies willing to speak up even when it’s uncomfortable.

What Accountability Looks Like

So what does it mean to hold each other accountable? It’s more than just calling out the worst offenders, because frankly by then, it’s too late. It’s about changing the culture, one conversation at a time.

1. Speak Up in the Moment

If you witness inappropriate behavior… a crude joke, an unwanted advance, a dismissive comment… say something. It doesn’t have to be confrontational. Sometimes, a simple “Dude, that’s not cool, knock it off” is enough to send a message.

2. Support Victims, Publicly and Privately

If someone confides in you, believe them. Offer support. Ask how you can help. If you’re in a position to do so, back them up publicly.

3. Educate Yourself and Others

Don’t wait for a scandal to learn about consent, boundaries, and respectful behavior. Take an active roll in educating yourself.

4. Set Clear Boundaries in Your Own Business

If you run a studio, host a podcast, or moderate a community, make your expectations clear. Zero tolerance for harassment of any kind. Full stop.

5. IF YOU HAVE ONE, Use Your Platform

Whether you have 100 followers or 10,000, your voice matters. Make it known that you stand for accountability.

Why Men Hesitate

Fear of Backlash

Let’s be real: calling out a friend or colleague can be risky. You might lose relationships. You might get labeled as difficult.

But the alternative, i.e. letting harm continue, is far worse.

Not Wanting to Make a Scene

Many men worry about overreacting or making things awkward. But silence is what allows bad behavior to continue. Getting a little uncomfortable is a small price to pay for safety.

Not Knowing What to Say

It’s okay to be unsure. What matters is that you try. “Hey, that’s not okay,” or “Let’s keep it professional,” are simple, effective ways to intervene.

Your Legacy Is on the Line

When you look back on your career, what do you want to be remembered for? The gigs you booked, or the difference you made?

The men who lead the next generation of voice actors won’t just be the ones with the best reels or the biggest clients. They’ll be the ones who made the industry safer, fairer, and more accessible for everyone.

Action Steps: How to Start Today

1. Reflect

Ask yourself: Have I ever looked the other way? What stopped me from speaking up? How can I do better?

2. Commit

Make a commitment to hold yourself and other men accountable. Tell a friend, post online, or write it down. Do whatever you have to do to make the commitment real.

3. Connect

Join a voiceover business community that values accountability. Find a mentor or coach who will challenge you to grow.

4. Act

The next time you see or hear something inappropriate, say something. Support victims. Share resources. Lead by example.

The Future of VO Depends on Us

The voiceover industry is at a crossroads. We can choose the easy path… silence, willful ignorance, business as usual… or we can choose the harder, better road of accountability.

Your success depends on a healthy VO community. The gigs, the clients, the opportunities, all of it flows from a foundation of trust and respect.

It’s time for men in VO to step up. To hold ourselves and each other accountable. To build an industry we all deserve and we all can thrive in.

Are you ready to be part of the solution?

I welcome your comments.