The voice that powers TikTok‘s text-to-speech function is disembodied no more. Kat Callaghan, a radio host who is heard on the Kitchener, Ontario-based station 91.5 The Beat, has revealed herself as the so-called “voice of TikTok.”
If you’ve spent more than a few minutes on TikTok, you’ve undoubtedly heard Callaghan speak to you. Though TikTok’s text-to-speech transformations may sound robotic, there’s no denying the resemblance between Callaghan’s voice and the cadence that launched a thousand memes. Of course, that hasn’t stopped commenters from responding to Callaghan’s revelation with rampant skepticism.
@voiceofkatFor a long time I didn’t say a word. But … yes it’s me and yes I have an ongoing awesome relationship with the folks at TikTok. 🎉 The coolest part for me is watching the creativity & awesome content that people are putting out there using my voice. (Also oddly enough this is my first TikTok) Subscribe to get the latest creator news
In a follow-up to Callaghan’s reveal video (which was the first clip she ever uploaded to her TikTok account), the radio host explained how she landed such an important job. “I work with TikTok on [text-to-speech] and other projects,” she said. “I love working with TikTok.” She added that the app’s users make her say “some pretty horrendous things,” but she doesn’t mind. “I kinda think it’s funny,” she admitted.
@voiceofkatLet’s see if this does it.
Callaghan does voiceover work on the side, but for her main gig, she emcees Scott & Kat After 9 alongside co-host Scott Fox. The pair also have a podcast together, and Callaghan noted that she revealed her true identity on that show before blasting it out to the masses.
If Callaghan ever decides that she’s done with the radio, she could easily transition into a career on TikTok. Her first post on the app already has more than 36 million views less than two weeks after it was first uploaded, and she’s accrued about 390,000 followers during that period. In a fortnight, Callaghan has achieved icon status, with one commenter calling her “the Siri of our generation.”
Even though Callaghan’s voice is heard all over North America, don’t expect her to quit her day job anytime soon. She said that she is “sick of my voice,” though that hasn’t stopped her from making some corrections to her most infamous pronunciations.
