Maria Gbeleyi is the chosen one

Black British performer and activist announced as voice of Dorothy Koomson's Verity

DREAM JOB: Maria Gbeleyi prepares for voice-over

HEADLINE AND Dorothy Koomson have announced young black British performer, Maria Gbeleyi as the voice of ‘Verity Gillmare’ in the audio version of Koomson’s new novel, All My Lies are True published in hardback, audio and eBook last week.

This experience has marked a new chapter in my life and I’m eager to keep moving forward

Maria Gbeleyi

Chosen from over a hundred candidates, Gbeleyi, who suffers from sickle-cell anaemia, responded to an open casting call sent out in February 2020 designed to bring more black voices into the world of audiobooks.

The audio was recorded in June following virtual workshops where shortlisted candidates had one-to-one sessions via video call with a producer from the Hachette Studios.

Hannah Cawse, Audio Editor, Headline said: ‘Everyone involved in the audio production of All My Lies are True has been blown away by the number and quality of submissions received.

“It was incredibly hard to whittle down to a shortlist from over 100 samples and we couldn’t be happier with the performance that Maria has delivered.”

Koomson said: “I came up with the idea of “Find My Verity” because I wanted to create an opportunity to bring young Black voices into the audiobook world.

“The response was so amazing and the quality of people who answered the casting call was so high. At every stage it was almost impossible to choose who to put forward because everyone was so good.

“Maria was a fantastic choice and I was so impressed with how she brought Verity to life. I really enjoyed speaking to her which you can hear at the end of the audiobook of All My Lies Are True.”

All My Lies are True is the sequel to Koomson’s bestselling The Ice Cream Girls.

The audio is also narrated by actors Adjoa Andoh and Julie Maisey, who voiced the original novel in 2010. An exclusive interview between Dorothy and Maria will feature in the AMLAT audio version.

Gbeleyi says: “I’m so privileged to have been chosen by Dorothy to be the voice of Verity.

“Black women deserve their voices to be heard and I am grateful that I can join the chorus in a new and exciting way. Performing has always been my passion, from stage to web series to radio plays, I dabbled in it all.

“I studied drama, theatre and performance all the way to university, but reading has always been my escape.

AUTHOR: Dorothy Koomson

“I never considered combining the two. I have sickle-cell anaemia and this health condition prevented me from pursuing my dreams in the way I had envisaged as a child. Instead of performing I channelled my energies into the platform I co-run called Brown Sugar Movement which is built to inspire, empower and celebrate Black British women.

“My cousin, Sade Lapite, sent me the casting call for All My Lies are True but I never thought I’d actually get the role. I’m blessed and happy beyond belief that I did.

“This experience has marked a new chapter in my life and I’m eager to keep moving forward.”

Comments Form

2 Comments

  1. | Charlotte Parmer

    Dear Maria, I am listening to “All my lies are true”, and I love it. I love your voice and I believe you capture Verti perfectly. I hope you keep this career going!
    I’m having a hard time with the appearance of “smacking”, before and and after your sentences?
    Maybe it’s the editing or something else, but it does not help your presentation. It’s hard to hear, and I believe it would be so easy for the editors to fix? I’m truly not trying to be nasty.
    I am an Audible major fan, and have been for years!
    So happy to find this book, and can’t wait to listen to ICECREAM GIRLS! I know, I’m doing this backwards!!

    Reply

  2. | Anita

    I have to agree with Charlotte!
    I think your voice is great but the editing majorly lets it down, the lip noises should have been cut out.

    Reply

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