Who Did Jessie’s Voice in 'Toy Story' 5? Why Does It Sound So Different?

Published 06/21/2026, 12:11 PM EDT

Credits: Toy Story 5 | Final Trailer | Get Tickets Now/Pixar via YouTube/Production House: Pixar Animation Studios/ Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

The highly anticipated arrival of Toy Story 5 places the iconic cowgirl Jessie right at the centre of the narrative. Audiences are instantly noticing a dramatic shift in her vocal performance compared to her original debut decades ago in Toy Story 2. Many dedicated followers are actively questioning whether a brand-new artist took over the iconic role.

The mystery behind this unexpected vocal evolution reveals a fascinating combination of voice over artists.

The artist behind Jessie’s voice in Toy Story 5

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Joan Cusack officially returns to voice her legendary character, Jessie, confirming that Pixar did not replace the original actress. The distinct transformation in her performance stems from decades of natural aging that alters vocal cords over time. This audible evolution mirrors the realistic aging observed across the enthttp://www.circuitstoday.com/simple-electronics-projects-and-circuitsire veteran cast.

The narrative also pushes the character into a mature leadership position where she must protect her family from modern technology. Her delivery possesses a more grounded, serious tone to match her position as the main protector. Cusack also intentionally adjusted her performance to treat voice acting as a highly specialized artistic discipline, as she said to Deadline.

“I realized there’s a real craft to it. Like, since you can’t use your face or your body and you just have to use your voice, and it’s kind of really hard because you don’t hear your voice that way,” she said. Joan Cusack noted that working closely with director Andrew Stanton allowed her to explore deep emotional layers that were absent before.

“You know, he (Stanton) pushes you to get it,” she added.

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The freshly updated universe also welcomes a massive wave of fresh talent alongside the familiar returning legends.

Toy Story 5 introduced an exciting new cast

This latest cinematic instalment, Toy Story 5, introduced a spectacular lineup of prominent celebrity voice actors to modern childhood playtime. The modern narrative features acclaimed performers, legendary comedians, and international musical sensations joining the beloved Pixar family. Greta Lee portrays a high-tech smart tablet named Lilypad, while Conan O’Brien voices a humorous novelty toy named Smarty Pants.

Global music sensation Bad Bunny joins the universe as a mysterious, sunglasses-wearing pizza slice residing in a backyard shed. Famous character actor Alan Cumming lends his distinctive voice to an antagonistic alter ego named Evil Bullseye. The massive toy box expands further with Craig Robinson playing a GPS hippo and Matty Matheson portraying Dr. Nutcase.

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Shelby Rabara plays a camera named Snappy, while international artist Tyla voices an entertaining inflatable flamingo. Legendary voice veterans Jeff Bergman and John Hopkins seamlessly assume the roles of Mr. Potato Head and Mr. Pricklepants. Ultimately, Joan Cusack’s refined delivery perfectly complements a narrative where the classic toys must grow up to navigate the complex modern landscape.

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What do you think about Jessie's voice in Toy Story 5? Let us know in the comments.

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Soma Mitra

1466 articles

Soma is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. With a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication, she brings production experience from documentary films like Chandua: Stories on Fabric. Covering the true crime and docu-drama beat, she turns psychological thrillers into sharp, audience-aware storytelling.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

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