Teaching others how to speak, a voice falls silent

May 8, 2024 8:01 AM

Zoey Alexandria, voice actor, singer, and instructor for transgender voices, has passed away at the age of 29. She spent much of her adult life dedicated to helping other trans people navigate their way through finding new voices and addressing vocal dysphoria. Her YouTube channel is a valuable resource for others during and after transition.

Zoey had a moment of fame when she voiced the character of The Unknown from the computer game Dead By Daylight. Unfortunately, the role included transphobic tropes that resulted in controversy, such as trans women being depicted as monsters or for shock value. Zoey apologized for the situation and explained that she was given insufficient information to know how transphobic the depiction would be. She accused the game developers of tricking her with the role. Just a short time afterwards, Zoey chose to stop treatment for encephalitis. She died on April 30th.

posted by Flight Hardware, do not touch (34 comments total)

Zoey was my first voice instructor, even teaching me from her dorm laundry room one time. Like many teachers and students, we had our falling out, but she helped me in a very difficult part of my life. Her young voice of wisdom will always be a part of me.
posted by Flight Hardware, do not touch at 8:05 AM on May 8, 2024 [20 favorites]

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posted by The Manwich Horror at 8:14 AM on May 8, 2024

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posted by Faint of Butt at 8:19 AM on May 8, 2024

Twenty Nine is not passing away. People in their 70s or older "pass away". Twenty-nine is "tragically died before their time."
posted by I-Write-Essays at 8:20 AM on May 8, 2024 [30 favorites]

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posted by neuracnu at 8:50 AM on May 8, 2024

absolutely heartbroken
posted by kokaku at 9:12 AM on May 8, 2024

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posted by Lawn Beaver at 9:14 AM on May 8, 2024

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posted by ursus_comiter at 9:20 AM on May 8, 2024

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posted by neonamber at 9:25 AM on May 8, 2024

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posted by eruonna at 9:27 AM on May 8, 2024

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posted by polyhedron at 9:29 AM on May 8, 2024

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posted by away for regrooving at 9:39 AM on May 8, 2024

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posted by gudrun at 9:41 AM on May 8, 2024

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posted by signsofrain at 10:04 AM on May 8, 2024

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posted by luckynerd at 10:06 AM on May 8, 2024

That's way too young.
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posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 10:56 AM on May 8, 2024

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posted by feckless at 10:57 AM on May 8, 2024

People who help others literally find their voice are heroes.
posted by feckless at 10:58 AM on May 8, 2024 [11 favorites]

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posted by evilangela at 10:58 AM on May 8, 2024

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posted by lalochezia at 11:25 AM on May 8, 2024

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posted by xedrik at 12:02 PM on May 8, 2024

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posted by evilmomlady at 12:35 PM on May 8, 2024

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posted by GenjiandProust at 12:52 PM on May 8, 2024

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posted by snsranch at 1:59 PM on May 8, 2024

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posted by kitten kaboodle at 3:45 PM on May 8, 2024

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posted by JoeXIII007 at 5:40 PM on May 8, 2024

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posted by verbminx at 6:38 PM on May 8, 2024

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posted by faceplantingcheetah at 1:02 AM on May 9, 2024

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posted by a_curious_koala at 5:16 AM on May 9, 2024

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posted by Molesome at 5:41 AM on May 9, 2024

Thank you for this. I was not familiar with her and this prompted me to seek out some of her singing. I greatly enjoyed this duet she recorded with herself in multiple registers.

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posted by eirias at 6:29 AM on May 9, 2024 [1 favorite]

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posted by Callisto Prime at 11:30 PM on May 9, 2024