Hello, friends, benders and non vendors alike. Welcome to Braving the Elements, Nickelodeon's podcast about all things Avatar Verse. I'm Janet Varney and I'm Dante Bosco, And if you've been keeping up with the podcast, you know we have officially entered the realm of tough. We recapped episode six of book two of Avatar The Blind Bandit, and then we talked to our two dads, Mike de Martino and Brian Knetsko and creating the legendary tof Bay Fung. Yeah, and so it would make sense that for this week's episode we would speak to the voice actor behind this amazing character, and that's exactly what we're gonna do. Welcome finally to Brave the Elements. Mikhaela Murphy. Hello, finally here. So nice here. I feel like I can take a deep breath of relief, like, oh, she's finally on the podcast. This is because it feels like you've been with us the whole time. I have been in spirit, in spirit, but you don't even get to us till now. I know. Well, it's funny. A lot of people do say, you know, they're like, oh right, and then top comes in blah blah blah, and like the first season. I'm like, no, no, no, not the first season. You gotta wait till episode six. In the second season, they're like what. I'm like, Yeah, she comes in almost halfway through and they're like, that's crazy. I feel like nothing even started. And I was like they were just setting everything up and then as soon as she gets there, they just start knocking it all down, like they just gotta Yeah, you got a lot of build up, but it's worth it. Well, we know that we didn't have you as tough in season one because we had she was main Yeah, exactly. That is such a wonderful character. I had forgotten. That's one of those characters that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle if it's been a long time since you've watched book one and then revisit that episode and like, I love Aunt Woo, but for me, Ming's kind of like the little diamond of that episode. I love her. I know, she's great, she's great, she's she's a little sassy. She got a little gap in her tooth or something like that. Yeah, yeah, the little gap. Because they're i mean they're what twelve eleven, they're young, they're going through their growing phases, having crushes on people, calling people floozies. It's great calling people there definitely is that. Wait, how old were you when you voiced me? I believe I was eleven. See, this is my memory of Jesse Flowers because I look at Michaela nown like, she's obviously that's Michaela, MICHAELA. Murphy. That's like how I know her now, But my memories of her is not Michaela. It's Jesse. Like, what's up, Jesse? How you doing today? How's your mom? Is not what I'm looking at now? It's the little girl. Well, and I'm okay to being locked in that way. I feel like a lot of people in those early videos like it's just twelve year old me. No, it's cool that there's like there's a Jesse Flower part of you with my mind and there's a Michael Murphy party of my mind and you look totally different. And I respond to both still and probably forever. And that's a stage name. Yeah, that was a stage name. Six year old me really did not like the name Michaela. People kind of mispronounced it a lot. I got a lot of Michela's and I also just got called Michael a lot. People were like looking for a totally different person, um, And I was like, you know what, the coolest name ever is Jessica, but even cooler Jesse. And then my mom's like, you need a last name, and I was like, well, Jesse Murphy, not quite. I don't really like that. Let's let's let's let's spice it up a little. So then I like came up with the flower and I was like I could dot the eye with a flower and make it like a thing. Um. Yeah. And then I turned eighteen and it kind of felt different when people said that when you told me you named yourself Jesse Flowers at eleven, and I was looking at you like, yes, you did. Didn't that perfect? Did really truly the perfect name for a kid, know, Jesse Flowers an adorable name. And it is even more endearing that that was something that your mom was like, Okay, this is your name. This is gonna be the name you go by. Like, let's talk about it. What sounds good to you? I love that? And she really did try to let me know. She was like, now this is gonna be on all your photos, Like, this is gonna be in the credits if you book something like this will be places, And of course I'm like, yeah, yeah, it's great. Little did I know it would be lots of places, which I'm very grateful for. But it's it's funny kind of dealing with the the transition back to MICHAELA. Because when I was eighteen, I kind of went back and I registered MICHAELA Joe Murphy. I have to have the jill because there's already a MICHAELA. Murphy like in the ether somewhere in the Union. So um yeah. And so I've just been trying to like connect the two. I don't know if I'm ever going to sign as MICHAELA for anything, because right, yeah, So I there's a couple of people who like specifically want Michaela because they're like, it's you, like really you, And I'm like sure that most people, I feel like like the connection of the name. So what they saw in the credits that makes sense, That totally makes sense. I love it. I'm so glad you're here. Um yeah, I mean we're talking about how young you started working, where were you and were you born and raised in New York? Where were you working? And then we can kind of segue into how Avatar came into your life. Yeah, so I am from the Midwest. Anybody from Indiana Hello, Hello. Um so my whole family is out there and very much like eight or nine generations of Irish people. I mean, last name is Murphy. Uh. So, my mom had always wanted to come to l A. She wanted to like go to u C. L A and study acting. And she didn't do that because she told her parents, my grandparents, and they were like, no, we're only going to cover something that's in state. And she's like, oh okay, So so you know, I feel like that's pretty relatable for lots of people. So she ended up going to two different places. Um, and she started out in acting but then ended up with communications and whatever whatever. Anyway, fast forward and I exist and I'm four years old, and she kept trying I go out to l A. But like things kept happening, like a horse fell on her leg, like the day before she was supposed to leave, one of her first time she was trying to move, so then she had to like not go obviously and wait till that was fixed. Um, and then I happened surprise, so then she couldn't so it finally just was a to a point where she's like, I can't let my kid grow up here. I want her to at least have something different. So we packed up a U Hall very like yeah, I don't know, like stereotypical story, kind of packed up a U haul and drove across the country and just came here. So, uh it was great. I mean we were very much partners in crime. It was just her and me growing up. So then I was like five years old and somebody in school wasn't a commercial because it's l a. I was that seems fun, and she's like, yeah, it's cool. And I was very performative early on. I love trying on clothes and I would go up to people and just sing Britney Spears songs to them, whether they liked it or not. Uh So it was already it was already in time specifically that yes, but oops, I did it again. Did get a lot more a lot more attention for me at the time. So yeah, and she was like, let's, you know, before we get into this whole acting thing, let's make sure that you're up for the commitment, because it's a commitment, right, So she put me into play Oliver. I was just an orphan, one of the orphans, and I was such a happy orphan. I was so excited to be there. But I I loved it, and so she was like, okay, cool, Like you shut up to rehearsals. You didn't get sick of it. You weren't like, ma'am, I'm tired of this. So let's get some head shots done. It is a good test um. And you know when people ask me about like, oh, how do I get into voice acting, Like, oh, get into acting and take voice lessons, like you need to get into singing and acting to be a voice actor. Like it's not it's it's not really a separate thing. It's just kind of performing in general. So I got my head shots done. They were black and white at the time, so I caught the tail end of the black and white headshot crazy, I know. It is class feels very movie story because like there's not a lot of black and white still happening anywhere else. So it's like if that's our people don't understand. Like so back in the day, for the people listening, we have these head shots, these eight by tens away. You go to a cast and you bring your your head shot and resume in the back of it, your resume, and so of course now all the pictures are digitally shot and they're all color pictures. But no, no, you cannot walk into a room with a color picture. It was so cheesy. If you walk into the room with a color picture, it was like amateur hour. So like immediately unprofessional immediately and professional like you're not a serious actor. You're in here with some color picture. So all of Hollywood has eight by ten portraits of ourselves in black and white up until I'd say mine were like two thousands. So yeah, I got those done. Yeah, you had your head shots. Did you start auditioning for voice stuff at the same time that you were auditioning for you know, on camera or theater or how that work. Yeah. So I started out doing the very pandering around, walking into agencies and just being like, Hi, Hello, here's my head shot. I'm Jesse. I would like to be represented by you. I can't do them anymore. I wish I could, um, but I I started in commercials because I had a lot of energy and I could take direction really well. Those two things don't always coinside. That is a very very good point. Having the energy and having the focus is um. So I started there and then I went through kind of an awkward growing phase. I was very like, had long brown hair, um, and I was like cute, just like normal American girl whatever. Uh. And then I got a short haircut, a bunch of my teeth fell out. I just went through kind of an awkward phase. Are there any black white pictures of that flowers? Any black white pictures? There are? They're not an official head shot, but there are phones and they are black and white. Um. Then I was with CSD when I was kind of going through that interesting phase, and Melissa Burger had just started and the youth voiceover department was new because the voice over as an industry is still kind of new ish, um, you know in general, and then kids working in it specifically and not eighteen plus playing younger also pretty new. So she was like, hey, we have a new department. We're kind of getting started. Maybe you should try this. So yeah, I got started in in voice over, and as it turns out, all of the reading that I did as a kid very much paid off because my mom was the type mom is like, you can stay up as late as you want if you're reading, and I was like, okay, uh so I would bring like, you know, seventeen books and then I would read half of one fall asleep. So yeah, the reading element then came super super handed because he has lots of energy. You could take direction, but I could read instantaneously if you needed to change something, if you needed improv if you're like, here's a new script, I didn't have to like sit with it for ten minutes to down you too, goody good too? Yeah, yes, yes, yes, stay up as long as we want reading at the club. Yeah we're saying that's what we do. Well. I wanted to do that, but I was like, where there's an outlet for that? So I then just kind of clicked all the things, the timing me being in the right place just when I could also read. Just everything kind of aligned. And my confidence also really worked well in that field, just because I did get nervous in the room sometimes face to face with people, depending on their personalities, I would really not vibe with people who didn't mirror my energy. So if I came in and I'm like hi, Michael, and they're just like hi, al right, stand over here a la la blah, I'd be like, oh my god, they hate me. I'm still like that, Yeah, because if you're an actor, a lot of the time you're that highly sensitive person too, so you are feeling the vibe. You kind of take that on. So being a kid doing that, I totally it's like super serious. Why performing for like ten people way easier than performing for two, because I'm like, I can just take so much of all of your little bits and then just use it all. And if I'm sitting across from one or two people, I'm like, Okay, well I don't know. So yeah, but that worked out really well then too, because then I was in my own little cocoon in my booth, just doing my thing with the microphone and I could get as cookie as possible and just kind of hear somebody's voice and yeah, you can kind of see him through the window, but it's just it's different and it's different. So it all aligned. And I started with Finding Nemo. That was the first thing I booked, just doing it, yeah, um looping, all the little baby turtles in the fish and all those little background like singing and all that stuff. Yeah, So that was the first gig. So I started in a d R looping a lot, a lot, a lot, and like Barbara Harris, I was very very fortunate to kind of be on her list of like kids who can read, who are clear tone whatever, uh not. Today lots of dust from this weekend for those who are listening. Um, a little little earthier, a little more texture today than usual the dirt and nothing hurts, thankfully. Yeah, but it's just a yeah, you get some extra spice today. It's for you, Dante. Uh you think you appreciate it, appreciate it. So yeah, I started with a lot of looping stuff and I was on just a roll with that, and then I started getting more name roles. Um. I think I don't know if it's started with Choco kind of officially, because I came in Choka in cons New Groove in The Emperor's New School, copying the girl who did the Emperor's New Groove voice in the first movie because I loved her voice so much. I just copied it in my living room and I remember sitting in my living room copying it. So that was kind of like the beginning. And there were a couple of smaller names that I did in the background during looping sessions, but nothing officially until her um but yeah, and then Meg in season one of Avatar, which then kind of led to Tough, and then I cut myself off from professional acting kind of immediately after Avatar, just because I thought I was going to be a cardiovascular surgeon. So I was like, now I have to focus on school of how things have changed, So yeah, there you go. That's kind of the the timeline of me back then. And not just any school you focused on. You focus on some really nice school I did. I did think I was going to go to you Pen. First I thought I was gonna love you Pen, and then I didn't like it, so then I went to you So there you go. I know, well, I was just talking about that with someone. I mean, the way we get to where we are and the fact that we're never done and we're on a journey and everybody's path is different remains true, certainly. But as somebody who also sort of loved acting and then just completely left it and did other stuff and then came back to it, you know, I have a tremendous amount of respect for that as well, Like I just have such respect for sticking with it through and through. If you're a kid and you just keep doing it and becoming more more successful, like Dante, but also somebody who says, you know, I got a piece out for a second, and you know, figure out who I am and be educated in this different way, and everything that we do feeds back into us as artists. That's what I believe. So well, yeah, that's the biggest thing. People are like, oh, like how do I get started, and like or I haven't been I've never acted, or like I'm too late getting into the music industry, and I'm like, but you can use all of that. Like people who have just been acting their whole life kind of crave that real life experience that is completely separate from everything industry related. I mean Meryl Street at some point has said, you know, real life is the best acting class for you. Just you have to go absorb stuff. You have to go sit in the bar and people watch. You have to go shopping and deal with customer service. You have to take the subway when three lines are broken down and it's two am, and then you end up just taking attacks with two strangers. Like you have to just have those things and that it just makes everything so much. I saw a conversation with some actor friends were like, you know, it's isn't it funny that, like, we're all actors, we do our thing, and especially movie stars right and by and large, the roles are playing like nine percent of time like some average ordinary person going through some stuff in life. And what do these people know about average ordinary what? What do any of these people actually know? That starts to show and people. You know what I mean, I think it's nothing about the regular lifestyle that he's depicting this character. It's it's it's ironic sometimes. Yes, you also took a break at a time where you had an amazing role, and I think there's something really kind of beautiful about that, whether or not that was part of your decision or not. The idea of going out on top would that be? You know what I mean? You didn't. That's an amazing iconic role to sort of go all right, boom, Mike drop. Exactly did you guys get to all work together? You did? Yes? And no. I think they tried to have us together when they could. I feel like Dante and I were maybe together a couple of times, but I feel like we caught each other at the beginning or end of a lot of sessions passing in and out. And I had a time that was right after school because I was still in school, so I was always Tuesdays at like three or something around then. Um, so sometimes may or Jack would be in there, but it wasn't too too full. Occasionally Gray, Um, yeah, well I wasn't there alone a bunch as well. It wasn't until kind of the later episodes where they were really trying to pack everybody in so it could be a whole vibe. But we did get. We did get a couple of times. You're so sweet. She is. She's the best. Now, what are your memories of doing the show like you were twelve? I guess me did the bulk of this I like specifically just remember like the sound of the intercom, holding the door handle to like enter the building, walking through the door, and like really being aware of, like if it smelled like fresh popcorn or not, because that was going to depict how excited I was to go to the kitchen, you know, just like you know it's like that. I love that everything you just described wasn't visual by the way. I mean, I think that's a total coincidence. But I love that you were playing a blind character, and you were thinking about the sound of the intercom and the weight of the door and the smell of the popcorn. That's just interesting, isn't it That you just named three things that are all about that experience. You know, it's interesting because people are like, how is it playing a blind character? And I buy any means. I'm not claiming to be at all blind. Totally different level, but I have horrible eyesight, and until I was six or seven, I didn't have glasses. So I think that is how I developed. When I was younger, I I keyed into those things. I keyed into sound and touch and taste and whatever um. And I remember putting on glasses for the first time and I was like, oh my gosh. I was like, this is it's it's almost too much. It's funny that you say that because I actually haven't noticed that. But I am very sensory. You're You're totally right. Like questions that people ask to like would if you had to choose, would rather be dever? Blind? And I'm like blind giving up music? Are you kidding me? Like? And they're like, then you can't see. I'm like, who cares? I want to be able to hear people like I want to hear conversations like oh no, somebody has to drive me everywhere, Like that sounds nice, Like I just like it's there's no question for me. So yeah, I I remember a lot of those little things and like how the seats feel. Yeah, more sensory stuff. Um, I do remember. The one one visual I do have is just walking into the booth and just Andrea sitting always like her little haircut and just like I don't know her posture and just kind of her little like pert way of like being yes. And we should add, just for those of you who don't know, Andrea Romano of course, is our lovely voice director on Avatar and Legend of Cora, and you can listen to an interview with her on season one of Braving the Elements. Yeah, and so that's locked in there. And I occasionally have Mike and Brian through the window during certain episodes, you know, with their legs crossed in the back, just kind of like looking on their little faces like blazed into my brain. Um. And also the smell of the microphone cover, always, always the smell of the microphone covers, which isn't bad, it just is it's like a phone thing. It's like a scent. Those are the things that I mainly remember, and then also being scared by Gray being like nice and pregnant and and then being like super evil, And I'm like, oh, yeah, she really turns it on and off. She's got an amazing switch for that character that is gone. The second she's not doing a line of a Zula's It's like, oh, it's great again. It's startling. It's so good. She's so good. Well, let's get into some more kind of specific inside the Avatar verse stuff. Did you watch the show as it was airing. Did you sort of connect with Tough as a character as a young actress. I mean, it's hard. We always talk about with voice acting, how especially if you're not doing it with the whole crew, it can be hard to sort of cement or connect with the story as it's unfolding until you see the final version because you're just not acting it out with a bunch of people. You're sort of going through with line by line, and Andrea would do a great job of making it real for us, But and you're also probably working on other things like when did you sort of let yourself sink into the Avatar verse more, if that makes sense. Honestly, I rewatched it during like twenty nineteen, I think during the summer because it had been a while and I did not have cable growing up, so I didn't watch it when it was actually coming out, So it just took a while. And then in college I was figuring out life and I didn't know what direction was what. But I want to rewatch everything see it again as a twenty something year old. Yeah, I don't know. I just like wanted to. So I did, and I was like, yeah, that's like what I remember. But also stuff definitely hit a little different. Um, and I found that there was more stuff in it, and I was like, this is really cool. I'm really glad that I got to be a part of the show. Um. And so then it was just funny when happened and then everybody's like, yeah, this show is really cool, and it's like, yeah it is, and it's like, oh, wow, you guys really think it is. This is crazy. Um. Yeah. Also, I think it really worked that I was a kid, and it worked that it was so episode to episode, especially for Tough, because she's just so like in the moment dealing with whenever is right in front of her, and that's it. So like being a twelve ye old being like, yeah, I'm doing this episode. Okay, great bye, Like that's tough. It works like it all works. So there was not too much premeditated at all, And people are like, how did you get into character? I was like, I don't know. She sassy and opinionated and funny. Great, Like I just try to show up and be more of that of me Like that that's how I prepped. Um, everybody made my job so easy, Andrea, Mike, Brian, everybody, just because they set it all up and all I had to do is just be like bing ding dinging. There you go, easy, hit him out of the park. When did you first ever know as a kid or as an adult? Like how important show is? Two people? I mean a little bit when I did San Diego Comic Con a little bit, but it felt more I don't know how exactly to describe it. It felt more of just like an appreciation, not as much of a life changer at that point in time. I mean, timing is everything, as with all things in life, but the fact that it came out during COVID kind of cemented a lot of different things for different people. A lot of people had kids and finally found something to connect with their kids over or it helped them get through a really hard time of losing loved ones, like because that's what they used to watch together and so they kept watching it to have that connection. Like it became something else entirely in the last couple of years, and so it's kind of been along with everybody else in discovering how impactful it is, just because so many things happened during the last couple of years when people were rewatching. So I think I've kind of grown with that, and the recognition as well has grown with it. So yeah, really the last year has been just so crazy and people reaching out and so many stories from different corners of the world and how it's affected people. The nice thing is that it's all good, Like every single thing is just positive and how much it's helpful, inspiring, whatever, it's all positive, which I feel like you can never get sick of hearing that what you've done or what you've helped create is a good thing. Like that's amazing. Absolutely well, Michela, we would love to ask you some of the questions that we always want to make sure we ask our avatar verse pals. Do you want to start out with a little something we like to call animal crossing. Yes, crossing, Well, it's basically what all the animals you know that they cross and they do the hybrid animals throughout the show. Do you have a favorite hybrid animal? I came prepared. I have props. Uh, the turtle duck. Everyone's favorite. My goodness. Okay, there's something happening with the turtle duck from what I can see that looks like it was maybe made for you. Is that the case? Maybe spiritually? But yes, I found this at a con um. I was walking by somebody's table and she just made a bunch of little creatures and critters not only from Ava Tar, but I saw this little turtle duck and I was like, this is a turtle duck, isn't it? And I was like, I will take this please ache Yeah, Crochet, it's wonderful. Shout out the turtle ducks. Yes, beautiful. Yeah, good question. Okay. We also like to ask, and it doesn't have to be about your character. It could be about other characters on the show, But do you have any ships that you enjoy the Avatar verse. Yes, I mean Zutar is like fun to think about, just because I feel like they'd be hot. Is like I'm listening, Yeah, we already know that. Like, but as far as like healthy relationships go, I feel like everybody went away healthy relationships to talk about toxicity over here. Yeah, the Qatar was already too flustered by you at the beginning. Immediately it was just gonna be like constant this the whole time. It'd be like amazing and horrible, Like you just too wild, Dante. It's just too too much, sure Jet or something. But I mean clearly she has a little bad boy thing, which is why you know it would be Yeah, I mean that'd be fun. And of course people always talk about like Taca, you know, tough and soccer because she has a crush on him. I mean, he and stuk Rols are really cute, so I'm like, they're cute together and I get it. Yeah, I don't know. I kind of like Top sometimes just just beating him up the whole time. I would love to see Tyley and Jet. I would love for them to date, because I feel like that's such a vibe. They're both like these traveling kind of edgy souls like nice but like not Yeah, I don't know. I feel like you just like a random like this, yeah yeah, yeah yeah, jump through trees together. Yeah, questionable speaking about boys, we all dated a jet at some point that it would be fun and then um, final big question you get asked it. I'm sure constantly we know what kind of bender you played, what kind of bendor would michaelab Who would I be? Uh? It depends on the day, but I think I'm a mix of Earth and five. I'm very much both. I'm not air and I'm not water, I'm not chill. I just will be very honest about that. I like need to know things. I can kind of go with the flow for like a second and then I'm like all right, cool, like what's going on. So definitely one of the more kind of fixed signs. So yeah, I think I think i'd be a Lava Bender. And I saw your Fire Nation tough cosplay. Yeah. Earlier when I said it was better, I meant easier to make, not like, oh, it's just so much better than the other one. But for season two, there's so many layers and fabric folds, and I'm like, oh, my gosh, I want to make this and I've seen so many great shout outs all the top players out there. Yes, well, all the different layers they hair, the balls and the buns and stuff like that. The easiest things are just the headbands. The headbands, michaelaisons perfect headbands, beautiful, so I can just pop these on my head if I want to, like, But then everything beyond this for season two is just so difficult. So I only have the head fair Fair and she's just so cute. She is very cute. We love to she's great. Yeah, she's great. Well, Michaela. I hope that you will come back. There is so much more to talk about as we move through these upcoming seasons with Tough, and it has been such a long time coming having you on Braving Elements. You are such a joy and delight and I'm so glad that that you've been able to join us. Now that you're part of us here, our family. You gotta come back, especially on the important episodes where we really that's right, Whenever you want me, I will come out from the mountain side, out from from my haven with the badgeroom balls. I know I've sported some Tough on a badge right there. That's a good I mean, turtle ducks are my favorite, but I would want to probably own or like have a badgeroom. I feel like they're very useful, a very good travel coming. Like how big they are when we when we watched that episode when they come out there, like those dudes were bigger than I thought. Well, you just move in near a mountain side and then they go in and make their little tunnel and be super comfy and then come out when they want to hang with you. It will be great, exactly, very chill. I feel like they're lowmanus. They can take care of themselves. That's right, that's right. And So, MICHAELA. Murphy, where can everyone find you online? One your social media I am on Instagram primarily trying to be better at TikTok uh and very rarely on t um My. An gole on Instagram is at MICHAELA mostly so my birth name Michael with an A on the end, and then mostly because it's mostly me on there uh. And then I think on TikTok it's just MICHAELA Joill Murphy. I don't know. I'm trying out both user name seeing each one. I like MICHAELA. Jilmurphy's just so long. That's why I did it a little shorter for Instagram. I don't know, I don't know, We'll see, but yeah, that's that's where you can find me, all right, Michaela, thank you so much. Everybody know you're as happy as we are to have brought MICHAELA a k A Tough into the Braving the Elements fold. Thanks everybody, and we will talk to you next week. Thanks for listening to Avatar Brave New Elements and make sure to subscribe and please leave us a review. It really helps the podcast so much and me and Janet really appreciate it. Next week we dive into an episode where I am very alone. Okay, I just want to point out the episode is called Zooko Alone, and you're not going to be alone for I will be there and we are also going to be talking about it with a fantastic at all refive. You can follow me on social media at the j V Club on Instagram and at Janet Varney on Twitter. I'm at Dante Bosco on both of them. Will see you next Tuesday on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts,

Hello, friends, benders and non vendors alike. Welcome to Braving the Elements, Nickelodeon's podcast about all things Avatar Verse. I'm Janet Varney and I'm Dante Bosco, And if you've been keeping up with the podcast, you know we have officially entered the realm of tough. We recapped episode six of book two of Avatar The Blind Bandit, and then we talked to our two dads, Mike de Martino and Brian Knetsko and creating the legendary tof Bay Fung. Yeah, and so it would make sense that for this week's episode we would speak to the voice actor behind this amazing character, and that's exactly what we're gonna do. Welcome finally to Brave the Elements. Mikhaela Murphy. Hello, finally here. So nice here. I feel like I can take a deep breath of relief, like, oh, she's finally on the podcast. This is because it feels like you've been with us the whole time. I have been in spirit, in spirit, but you don't even get to us till now. I know. Well, it's funny. A lot of people do say, you know, they're like, oh right, and then top comes in blah blah blah, and like the first season. I'm like, no, no, no, not the first season. You gotta wait till episode six. In the second season, they're like what. I'm like, Yeah, she comes in almost halfway through and they're like, that's crazy. I feel like nothing even started. And I was like they were just setting everything up and then as soon as she gets there, they just start knocking it all down, like they just gotta Yeah, you got a lot of build up, but it's worth it. Well, we know that we didn't have you as tough in season one because we had she was main Yeah, exactly. That is such a wonderful character. I had forgotten. That's one of those characters that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle if it's been a long time since you've watched book one and then revisit that episode and like, I love Aunt Woo, but for me, Ming's kind of like the little diamond of that episode. I love her. I know, she's great, she's great, she's she's a little sassy. She got a little gap in her tooth or something like that. Yeah, yeah, the little gap. Because they're i mean they're what twelve eleven, they're young, they're going through their growing phases, having crushes on people, calling people floozies. It's great calling people there definitely is that. Wait, how old were you when you voiced me? I believe I was eleven. See, this is my memory of Jesse Flowers because I look at Michaela nown like, she's obviously that's Michaela, MICHAELA. Murphy. That's like how I know her now, But my memories of her is not Michaela. It's Jesse. Like, what's up, Jesse? How you doing today? How's your mom? Is not what I'm looking at now? It's the little girl. Well, and I'm okay to being locked in that way. I feel like a lot of people in those early videos like it's just twelve year old me. No, it's cool that there's like there's a Jesse Flower part of you with my mind and there's a Michael Murphy party of my mind and you look totally different. And I respond to both still and probably forever. And that's a stage name. Yeah, that was a stage name. Six year old me really did not like the name Michaela. People kind of mispronounced it a lot. I got a lot of Michela's and I also just got called Michael a lot. People were like looking for a totally different person, um, And I was like, you know what, the coolest name ever is Jessica, but even cooler Jesse. And then my mom's like, you need a last name, and I was like, well, Jesse Murphy, not quite. I don't really like that. Let's let's let's let's spice it up a little. So then I like came up with the flower and I was like I could dot the eye with a flower and make it like a thing. Um. Yeah. And then I turned eighteen and it kind of felt different when people said that when you told me you named yourself Jesse Flowers at eleven, and I was looking at you like, yes, you did. Didn't that perfect? Did really truly the perfect name for a kid, know, Jesse Flowers an adorable name. And it is even more endearing that that was something that your mom was like, Okay, this is your name. This is gonna be the name you go by. Like, let's talk about it. What sounds good to you? I love that? And she really did try to let me know. She was like, now this is gonna be on all your photos, Like, this is gonna be in the credits if you book something like this will be places, And of course I'm like, yeah, yeah, it's great. Little did I know it would be lots of places, which I'm very grateful for. But it's it's funny kind of dealing with the the transition back to MICHAELA. Because when I was eighteen, I kind of went back and I registered MICHAELA Joe Murphy. I have to have the jill because there's already a MICHAELA. Murphy like in the ether somewhere in the Union. So um yeah. And so I've just been trying to like connect the two. I don't know if I'm ever going to sign as MICHAELA for anything, because right, yeah, So I there's a couple of people who like specifically want Michaela because they're like, it's you, like really you, And I'm like sure that most people, I feel like like the connection of the name. So what they saw in the credits that makes sense, That totally makes sense. I love it. I'm so glad you're here. Um yeah, I mean we're talking about how young you started working, where were you and were you born and raised in New York? Where were you working? And then we can kind of segue into how Avatar came into your life. Yeah, so I am from the Midwest. Anybody from Indiana Hello, Hello. Um so my whole family is out there and very much like eight or nine generations of Irish people. I mean, last name is Murphy. Uh. So, my mom had always wanted to come to l A. She wanted to like go to u C. L A and study acting. And she didn't do that because she told her parents, my grandparents, and they were like, no, we're only going to cover something that's in state. And she's like, oh okay, So so you know, I feel like that's pretty relatable for lots of people. So she ended up going to two different places. Um, and she started out in acting but then ended up with communications and whatever whatever. Anyway, fast forward and I exist and I'm four years old, and she kept trying I go out to l A. But like things kept happening, like a horse fell on her leg, like the day before she was supposed to leave, one of her first time she was trying to move, so then she had to like not go obviously and wait till that was fixed. Um, and then I happened surprise, so then she couldn't so it finally just was a to a point where she's like, I can't let my kid grow up here. I want her to at least have something different. So we packed up a U Hall very like yeah, I don't know, like stereotypical story, kind of packed up a U haul and drove across the country and just came here. So, uh it was great. I mean we were very much partners in crime. It was just her and me growing up. So then I was like five years old and somebody in school wasn't a commercial because it's l a. I was that seems fun, and she's like, yeah, it's cool. And I was very performative early on. I love trying on clothes and I would go up to people and just sing Britney Spears songs to them, whether they liked it or not. Uh So it was already it was already in time specifically that yes, but oops, I did it again. Did get a lot more a lot more attention for me at the time. So yeah, and she was like, let's, you know, before we get into this whole acting thing, let's make sure that you're up for the commitment, because it's a commitment, right, So she put me into play Oliver. I was just an orphan, one of the orphans, and I was such a happy orphan. I was so excited to be there. But I I loved it, and so she was like, okay, cool, Like you shut up to rehearsals. You didn't get sick of it. You weren't like, ma'am, I'm tired of this. So let's get some head shots done. It is a good test um. And you know when people ask me about like, oh, how do I get into voice acting, Like, oh, get into acting and take voice lessons, like you need to get into singing and acting to be a voice actor. Like it's not it's it's not really a separate thing. It's just kind of performing in general. So I got my head shots done. They were black and white at the time, so I caught the tail end of the black and white headshot crazy, I know. It is class feels very movie story because like there's not a lot of black and white still happening anywhere else. So it's like if that's our people don't understand. Like so back in the day, for the people listening, we have these head shots, these eight by tens away. You go to a cast and you bring your your head shot and resume in the back of it, your resume, and so of course now all the pictures are digitally shot and they're all color pictures. But no, no, you cannot walk into a room with a color picture. It was so cheesy. If you walk into the room with a color picture, it was like amateur hour. So like immediately unprofessional immediately and professional like you're not a serious actor. You're in here with some color picture. So all of Hollywood has eight by ten portraits of ourselves in black and white up until I'd say mine were like two thousands. So yeah, I got those done. Yeah, you had your head shots. Did you start auditioning for voice stuff at the same time that you were auditioning for you know, on camera or theater or how that work. Yeah. So I started out doing the very pandering around, walking into agencies and just being like, Hi, Hello, here's my head shot. I'm Jesse. I would like to be represented by you. I can't do them anymore. I wish I could, um, but I I started in commercials because I had a lot of energy and I could take direction really well. Those two things don't always coinside. That is a very very good point. Having the energy and having the focus is um. So I started there and then I went through kind of an awkward growing phase. I was very like, had long brown hair, um, and I was like cute, just like normal American girl whatever. Uh. And then I got a short haircut, a bunch of my teeth fell out. I just went through kind of an awkward phase. Are there any black white pictures of that flowers? Any black white pictures? There are? They're not an official head shot, but there are phones and they are black and white. Um. Then I was with CSD when I was kind of going through that interesting phase, and Melissa Burger had just started and the youth voiceover department was new because the voice over as an industry is still kind of new ish, um, you know in general, and then kids working in it specifically and not eighteen plus playing younger also pretty new. So she was like, hey, we have a new department. We're kind of getting started. Maybe you should try this. So yeah, I got started in in voice over, and as it turns out, all of the reading that I did as a kid very much paid off because my mom was the type mom is like, you can stay up as late as you want if you're reading, and I was like, okay, uh so I would bring like, you know, seventeen books and then I would read half of one fall asleep. So yeah, the reading element then came super super handed because he has lots of energy. You could take direction, but I could read instantaneously if you needed to change something, if you needed improv if you're like, here's a new script, I didn't have to like sit with it for ten minutes to down you too, goody good too? Yeah, yes, yes, yes, stay up as long as we want reading at the club. Yeah we're saying that's what we do. Well. I wanted to do that, but I was like, where there's an outlet for that? So I then just kind of clicked all the things, the timing me being in the right place just when I could also read. Just everything kind of aligned. And my confidence also really worked well in that field, just because I did get nervous in the room sometimes face to face with people, depending on their personalities, I would really not vibe with people who didn't mirror my energy. So if I came in and I'm like hi, Michael, and they're just like hi, al right, stand over here a la la blah, I'd be like, oh my god, they hate me. I'm still like that, Yeah, because if you're an actor, a lot of the time you're that highly sensitive person too, so you are feeling the vibe. You kind of take that on. So being a kid doing that, I totally it's like super serious. Why performing for like ten people way easier than performing for two, because I'm like, I can just take so much of all of your little bits and then just use it all. And if I'm sitting across from one or two people, I'm like, Okay, well I don't know. So yeah, but that worked out really well then too, because then I was in my own little cocoon in my booth, just doing my thing with the microphone and I could get as cookie as possible and just kind of hear somebody's voice and yeah, you can kind of see him through the window, but it's just it's different and it's different. So it all aligned. And I started with Finding Nemo. That was the first thing I booked, just doing it, yeah, um looping, all the little baby turtles in the fish and all those little background like singing and all that stuff. Yeah, So that was the first gig. So I started in a d R looping a lot, a lot, a lot, and like Barbara Harris, I was very very fortunate to kind of be on her list of like kids who can read, who are clear tone whatever, uh not. Today lots of dust from this weekend for those who are listening. Um, a little little earthier, a little more texture today than usual the dirt and nothing hurts, thankfully. Yeah, but it's just a yeah, you get some extra spice today. It's for you, Dante. Uh you think you appreciate it, appreciate it. So yeah, I started with a lot of looping stuff and I was on just a roll with that, and then I started getting more name roles. Um. I think I don't know if it's started with Choco kind of officially, because I came in Choka in cons New Groove in The Emperor's New School, copying the girl who did the Emperor's New Groove voice in the first movie because I loved her voice so much. I just copied it in my living room and I remember sitting in my living room copying it. So that was kind of like the beginning. And there were a couple of smaller names that I did in the background during looping sessions, but nothing officially until her um but yeah, and then Meg in season one of Avatar, which then kind of led to Tough, and then I cut myself off from professional acting kind of immediately after Avatar, just because I thought I was going to be a cardiovascular surgeon. So I was like, now I have to focus on school of how things have changed, So yeah, there you go. That's kind of the the timeline of me back then. And not just any school you focused on. You focus on some really nice school I did. I did think I was going to go to you Pen. First I thought I was gonna love you Pen, and then I didn't like it, so then I went to you So there you go. I know, well, I was just talking about that with someone. I mean, the way we get to where we are and the fact that we're never done and we're on a journey and everybody's path is different remains true, certainly. But as somebody who also sort of loved acting and then just completely left it and did other stuff and then came back to it, you know, I have a tremendous amount of respect for that as well, Like I just have such respect for sticking with it through and through. If you're a kid and you just keep doing it and becoming more more successful, like Dante, but also somebody who says, you know, I got a piece out for a second, and you know, figure out who I am and be educated in this different way, and everything that we do feeds back into us as artists. That's what I believe. So well, yeah, that's the biggest thing. People are like, oh, like how do I get started, and like or I haven't been I've never acted, or like I'm too late getting into the music industry, and I'm like, but you can use all of that. Like people who have just been acting their whole life kind of crave that real life experience that is completely separate from everything industry related. I mean Meryl Street at some point has said, you know, real life is the best acting class for you. Just you have to go absorb stuff. You have to go sit in the bar and people watch. You have to go shopping and deal with customer service. You have to take the subway when three lines are broken down and it's two am, and then you end up just taking attacks with two strangers. Like you have to just have those things and that it just makes everything so much. I saw a conversation with some actor friends were like, you know, it's isn't it funny that, like, we're all actors, we do our thing, and especially movie stars right and by and large, the roles are playing like nine percent of time like some average ordinary person going through some stuff in life. And what do these people know about average ordinary what? What do any of these people actually know? That starts to show and people. You know what I mean, I think it's nothing about the regular lifestyle that he's depicting this character. It's it's it's ironic sometimes. Yes, you also took a break at a time where you had an amazing role, and I think there's something really kind of beautiful about that, whether or not that was part of your decision or not. The idea of going out on top would that be? You know what I mean? You didn't. That's an amazing iconic role to sort of go all right, boom, Mike drop. Exactly did you guys get to all work together? You did? Yes? And no. I think they tried to have us together when they could. I feel like Dante and I were maybe together a couple of times, but I feel like we caught each other at the beginning or end of a lot of sessions passing in and out. And I had a time that was right after school because I was still in school, so I was always Tuesdays at like three or something around then. Um, so sometimes may or Jack would be in there, but it wasn't too too full. Occasionally Gray, Um, yeah, well I wasn't there alone a bunch as well. It wasn't until kind of the later episodes where they were really trying to pack everybody in so it could be a whole vibe. But we did get. We did get a couple of times. You're so sweet. She is. She's the best. Now, what are your memories of doing the show like you were twelve? I guess me did the bulk of this I like specifically just remember like the sound of the intercom, holding the door handle to like enter the building, walking through the door, and like really being aware of, like if it smelled like fresh popcorn or not, because that was going to depict how excited I was to go to the kitchen, you know, just like you know it's like that. I love that everything you just described wasn't visual by the way. I mean, I think that's a total coincidence. But I love that you were playing a blind character, and you were thinking about the sound of the intercom and the weight of the door and the smell of the popcorn. That's just interesting, isn't it That you just named three things that are all about that experience. You know, it's interesting because people are like, how is it playing a blind character? And I buy any means. I'm not claiming to be at all blind. Totally different level, but I have horrible eyesight, and until I was six or seven, I didn't have glasses. So I think that is how I developed. When I was younger, I I keyed into those things. I keyed into sound and touch and taste and whatever um. And I remember putting on glasses for the first time and I was like, oh my gosh. I was like, this is it's it's almost too much. It's funny that you say that because I actually haven't noticed that. But I am very sensory. You're You're totally right. Like questions that people ask to like would if you had to choose, would rather be dever? Blind? And I'm like blind giving up music? Are you kidding me? Like? And they're like, then you can't see. I'm like, who cares? I want to be able to hear people like I want to hear conversations like oh no, somebody has to drive me everywhere, Like that sounds nice, Like I just like it's there's no question for me. So yeah, I I remember a lot of those little things and like how the seats feel. Yeah, more sensory stuff. Um, I do remember. The one one visual I do have is just walking into the booth and just Andrea sitting always like her little haircut and just like I don't know her posture and just kind of her little like pert way of like being yes. And we should add, just for those of you who don't know, Andrea Romano of course, is our lovely voice director on Avatar and Legend of Cora, and you can listen to an interview with her on season one of Braving the Elements. Yeah, and so that's locked in there. And I occasionally have Mike and Brian through the window during certain episodes, you know, with their legs crossed in the back, just kind of like looking on their little faces like blazed into my brain. Um. And also the smell of the microphone cover, always, always the smell of the microphone covers, which isn't bad, it just is it's like a phone thing. It's like a scent. Those are the things that I mainly remember, and then also being scared by Gray being like nice and pregnant and and then being like super evil, And I'm like, oh, yeah, she really turns it on and off. She's got an amazing switch for that character that is gone. The second she's not doing a line of a Zula's It's like, oh, it's great again. It's startling. It's so good. She's so good. Well, let's get into some more kind of specific inside the Avatar verse stuff. Did you watch the show as it was airing. Did you sort of connect with Tough as a character as a young actress. I mean, it's hard. We always talk about with voice acting, how especially if you're not doing it with the whole crew, it can be hard to sort of cement or connect with the story as it's unfolding until you see the final version because you're just not acting it out with a bunch of people. You're sort of going through with line by line, and Andrea would do a great job of making it real for us, But and you're also probably working on other things like when did you sort of let yourself sink into the Avatar verse more, if that makes sense. Honestly, I rewatched it during like twenty nineteen, I think during the summer because it had been a while and I did not have cable growing up, so I didn't watch it when it was actually coming out, So it just took a while. And then in college I was figuring out life and I didn't know what direction was what. But I want to rewatch everything see it again as a twenty something year old. Yeah, I don't know. I just like wanted to. So I did, and I was like, yeah, that's like what I remember. But also stuff definitely hit a little different. Um, and I found that there was more stuff in it, and I was like, this is really cool. I'm really glad that I got to be a part of the show. Um. And so then it was just funny when happened and then everybody's like, yeah, this show is really cool, and it's like, yeah it is, and it's like, oh, wow, you guys really think it is. This is crazy. Um. Yeah. Also, I think it really worked that I was a kid, and it worked that it was so episode to episode, especially for Tough, because she's just so like in the moment dealing with whenever is right in front of her, and that's it. So like being a twelve ye old being like, yeah, I'm doing this episode. Okay, great bye, Like that's tough. It works like it all works. So there was not too much premeditated at all, And people are like, how did you get into character? I was like, I don't know. She sassy and opinionated and funny. Great, Like I just try to show up and be more of that of me Like that that's how I prepped. Um, everybody made my job so easy, Andrea, Mike, Brian, everybody, just because they set it all up and all I had to do is just be like bing ding dinging. There you go, easy, hit him out of the park. When did you first ever know as a kid or as an adult? Like how important show is? Two people? I mean a little bit when I did San Diego Comic Con a little bit, but it felt more I don't know how exactly to describe it. It felt more of just like an appreciation, not as much of a life changer at that point in time. I mean, timing is everything, as with all things in life, but the fact that it came out during COVID kind of cemented a lot of different things for different people. A lot of people had kids and finally found something to connect with their kids over or it helped them get through a really hard time of losing loved ones, like because that's what they used to watch together and so they kept watching it to have that connection. Like it became something else entirely in the last couple of years, and so it's kind of been along with everybody else in discovering how impactful it is, just because so many things happened during the last couple of years when people were rewatching. So I think I've kind of grown with that, and the recognition as well has grown with it. So yeah, really the last year has been just so crazy and people reaching out and so many stories from different corners of the world and how it's affected people. The nice thing is that it's all good, Like every single thing is just positive and how much it's helpful, inspiring, whatever, it's all positive, which I feel like you can never get sick of hearing that what you've done or what you've helped create is a good thing. Like that's amazing. Absolutely well, Michela, we would love to ask you some of the questions that we always want to make sure we ask our avatar verse pals. Do you want to start out with a little something we like to call animal crossing. Yes, crossing, Well, it's basically what all the animals you know that they cross and they do the hybrid animals throughout the show. Do you have a favorite hybrid animal? I came prepared. I have props. Uh, the turtle duck. Everyone's favorite. My goodness. Okay, there's something happening with the turtle duck from what I can see that looks like it was maybe made for you. Is that the case? Maybe spiritually? But yes, I found this at a con um. I was walking by somebody's table and she just made a bunch of little creatures and critters not only from Ava Tar, but I saw this little turtle duck and I was like, this is a turtle duck, isn't it? And I was like, I will take this please ache Yeah, Crochet, it's wonderful. Shout out the turtle ducks. Yes, beautiful. Yeah, good question. Okay. We also like to ask, and it doesn't have to be about your character. It could be about other characters on the show, But do you have any ships that you enjoy the Avatar verse. Yes, I mean Zutar is like fun to think about, just because I feel like they'd be hot. Is like I'm listening, Yeah, we already know that. Like, but as far as like healthy relationships go, I feel like everybody went away healthy relationships to talk about toxicity over here. Yeah, the Qatar was already too flustered by you at the beginning. Immediately it was just gonna be like constant this the whole time. It'd be like amazing and horrible, Like you just too wild, Dante. It's just too too much, sure Jet or something. But I mean clearly she has a little bad boy thing, which is why you know it would be Yeah, I mean that'd be fun. And of course people always talk about like Taca, you know, tough and soccer because she has a crush on him. I mean, he and stuk Rols are really cute, so I'm like, they're cute together and I get it. Yeah, I don't know. I kind of like Top sometimes just just beating him up the whole time. I would love to see Tyley and Jet. I would love for them to date, because I feel like that's such a vibe. They're both like these traveling kind of edgy souls like nice but like not Yeah, I don't know. I feel like you just like a random like this, yeah yeah, yeah yeah, jump through trees together. Yeah, questionable speaking about boys, we all dated a jet at some point that it would be fun and then um, final big question you get asked it. I'm sure constantly we know what kind of bender you played, what kind of bendor would michaelab Who would I be? Uh? It depends on the day, but I think I'm a mix of Earth and five. I'm very much both. I'm not air and I'm not water, I'm not chill. I just will be very honest about that. I like need to know things. I can kind of go with the flow for like a second and then I'm like all right, cool, like what's going on. So definitely one of the more kind of fixed signs. So yeah, I think I think i'd be a Lava Bender. And I saw your Fire Nation tough cosplay. Yeah. Earlier when I said it was better, I meant easier to make, not like, oh, it's just so much better than the other one. But for season two, there's so many layers and fabric folds, and I'm like, oh, my gosh, I want to make this and I've seen so many great shout outs all the top players out there. Yes, well, all the different layers they hair, the balls and the buns and stuff like that. The easiest things are just the headbands. The headbands, michaelaisons perfect headbands, beautiful, so I can just pop these on my head if I want to, like, But then everything beyond this for season two is just so difficult. So I only have the head fair Fair and she's just so cute. She is very cute. We love to she's great. Yeah, she's great. Well, Michaela. I hope that you will come back. There is so much more to talk about as we move through these upcoming seasons with Tough, and it has been such a long time coming having you on Braving Elements. You are such a joy and delight and I'm so glad that that you've been able to join us. Now that you're part of us here, our family. You gotta come back, especially on the important episodes where we really that's right, Whenever you want me, I will come out from the mountain side, out from from my haven with the badgeroom balls. I know I've sported some Tough on a badge right there. That's a good I mean, turtle ducks are my favorite, but I would want to probably own or like have a badgeroom. I feel like they're very useful, a very good travel coming. Like how big they are when we when we watched that episode when they come out there, like those dudes were bigger than I thought. Well, you just move in near a mountain side and then they go in and make their little tunnel and be super comfy and then come out when they want to hang with you. It will be great, exactly, very chill. I feel like they're lowmanus. They can take care of themselves. That's right, that's right. And So, MICHAELA. Murphy, where can everyone find you online? One your social media I am on Instagram primarily trying to be better at TikTok uh and very rarely on t um My. An gole on Instagram is at MICHAELA mostly so my birth name Michael with an A on the end, and then mostly because it's mostly me on there uh. And then I think on TikTok it's just MICHAELA Joill Murphy. I don't know. I'm trying out both user name seeing each one. I like MICHAELA. Jilmurphy's just so long. That's why I did it a little shorter for Instagram. I don't know, I don't know, We'll see, but yeah, that's that's where you can find me, all right, Michaela, thank you so much. Everybody know you're as happy as we are to have brought MICHAELA a k A Tough into the Braving the Elements fold. Thanks everybody, and we will talk to you next week. Thanks for listening to Avatar Brave New Elements and make sure to subscribe and please leave us a review. It really helps the podcast so much and me and Janet really appreciate it. Next week we dive into an episode where I am very alone. Okay, I just want to point out the episode is called Zooko Alone, and you're not going to be alone for I will be there and we are also going to be talking about it with a fantastic at all refive. You can follow me on social media at the j V Club on Instagram and at Janet Varney on Twitter. I'm at Dante Bosco on both of them. Will see you next Tuesday on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts,