Loren Raye is a Voice Actor based in New Jersey. In addition to her voice work, she is a public speaking coach and passionate about women’s issues and reducing the stigma around mental health.
She lives with her husband Matt and preschooler Sophie and believes three things are essential to a happy life: good food, good company, and a comfy pair of sweatpants.
Loren is today’s featured Voice Actor.
Jeff Lynn: I like to start with some background and how you got started.
Loren Raye: I was introduced to radio imaging by the legendary Dave Foxx, AKA The Voice of Z100 New York. My career started in 2007 at Z100 as an intern for “Elvis Duran and the Morning Show,” and I eventually moved on to become their phone operator, assistant producer, and on-air contributor. I left in 2013 to co-host “The TJ Show” on WODS-Boston, and in 2020, after industry-wide “Covid Cuts” shut our show and station down, I focused on voiceover.
I had done VO work in the past (a few commercials, some radio imaging clients, and narration for an MTV show), so I worked with some great coaches again to brush the dust off. I eventually got signed by Atlas Talent, which was a literal dream come true. I’ve been in the voiceover industry since, and I’m back on the air doing mornings on New 102.7 in New York City when the host, Karen, is on vacation.
JL: And you became the first female imaging voice of the Elvis Duran Network. Congratulations, and how did that come about?
LR: Thank you! Never one to burn any bridges, I had always kept in touch with Elvis, and in 2021, he saw an opportunity to move the show’s imaging forward in a way that would truly reflect the demographic of his morning show.
His show is about highlighting the lives of real people, and real women in particular. It just made sense to include a woman’s voice as the anchor of the image, especially a woman who truly understands the essence of the show and has a production background, thanks to having worked there before.
JL: What advice would you give other women trying to break into the voice actor business?
LR: It’s really important to get the proper training and create a professionally produced demo to be a voice actor. For radio imaging in particular, a lot of it is relationships-based. So, don’t burn your bridges, be sure to remind people that you exist, and don’t be afraid to toot your own horn.
I once heard someone say, “It’s not bragging if it’s facts,” and that’s stuck with me ever since. So, I’ll take this moment to share a fact with you: I was nominated for One Voice’s 2024 Best Radio Imaging/TV Affiliate Performance, and it was such an honor!
JL: How do you manage your day, and what is a typical workday like? And manage mom duties, too.
LR: Oof, my day changes a lot but I’m trying so hard to get my weeks more scheduled. With voiceover, though, you need to have a lot of flexibility! I’ll try to get to the gym most mornings in an effort to put myself in a good headspace so that when I return, I can take care of whatever auditions came in overnight.
I’ll work on marketing, client relations, and scheduling for my other business (I’m a public speaking coach for kids – more on that later!) and tackle any scripts from clients that might have come in. I usually pause my day around 3 to pick up my kindergartener from school, and then around 5, I often work with my public speaking clients until 7 or so. They’re busy, long days, but I love it so much. The only way I’m able to sustain this lifestyle is thanks to my incredibly supportive and flexible husband and mom!
JL: Tell me about your speaking coaching.
LR: In high school, I was on the speech & debate team and named the 2004 NJ State Champion for Prose Reading. I owe so much of my career success to that program, and after having moved back to my hometown with my husband to raise our daughter, I wanted to find a way to marry the things I love most: speaking, connecting, and giving back.
I worked with my mom, a retired educator, to create an 8-hour curriculum focused on the Six Essential Skills of Public Speaking. I offer courses in NJ (and online!) for students in 3rd – 12th grade, and it’s been such a cool thing to not only watch my business grow but to see these kids find confidence within themselves.
It feels so great to give the gift of speaking to a new generation, just like my coaches had done for me. Balancing this business alongside my voiceover business and motherhood is the opposite of easy, but it’s very rewarding, and I’m incredibly grateful.
JL: I always ask about bloopers.
LR: I don’t get embarrassed easily (is that sad?), so it’s hard to think of something that stands out! Sorry to be lame!
JL: Tell me three funny things people might not know about you.
LR: I introduced the “Impractical Jokers” on stage at Boston’s TD Garden six hours before my water broke.
I broke my ankle freshman year of college at Penn State, so I used a motorized scooter to get around campus (yes, like a grandma scooter). I became known as “Scooter Girl.” I swear that is how I learned to loosen up and get a sense of humor!
My car once caught on fire in the parking lot of the radio station, and I finished out the last hour of the morning show because, really, what else could I do? The fire department was keeping us safe, and my car was totaled. The show must go on!
Atlas Talent represents Loren.
Listen to demos here.
Connect directly here.
Jeff Lynn serves as Editor of Barrett Media’s Music Radio coverage. Prior to joining Barrett Media, Jeff spent time programming in Milwaukee, Omaha, Cleveland, Des Moines, and Madison for multiple radio groups, including iHeartMedia, Townsquare Media, NRG Media, and Entercom (now Audacy). He also worked as a Country Format Editor for All Access until the outlet shut down in August 2023.
To get in touch with Jeff by email, reach him at Jeff@BarrettMedia.com.
