Instantly recognisable with a low, raspy voice, Korean-American voice actress Michaela Keenan Dietz is best known for her ongoing characterisation of Riff in the PBS children’s TV series Barney & Friends, and for the Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe, in which she voices Amethyst. She has also voiced Dolly Dalmatian for Disney’s 101 Dalmatian Street, and Glassboy in Adventure Time: Distant Lands.

Born in South Korea, she was adopted and then moved to the United States and was raised in Cooperstown, New York. Dietz went on to read International Studies at Middlebury College in Vermont, before going on to study acting in NYC. She answered a VO audition and although didn’t get the job, the casting director remembered her and in 2005 called her in for a video game part. Soon after she landed the gig on the ever-popular children’s animated series, Barney & Friends, in 2007. A hugely prolific and extremely talented voice actress, she has also provided vocal characterisation for a number of video games, including Grand Theft Auto V, Lego Dimensions and Fallout 76.

Passionate, excitable and sensitive, Dietz loves to surf and swim. She regularly attends Comicon conventions and keeps her dedicated and loyal fanbase up to date with her professional and personal life via Twitter and Instagram as @whammybah. She is also available for that personalised shout-out via the Cameo platform.