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The Two Voices Of Pocahontas: Where Are Irene Bedard And Judy Kuhn Now In 2025?

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Few Disney characters have a story as complex and culturally significant as Pocahontas, and the actress who brought her to life on screen is actually two immensely talented women. The 1995 animated classic, Pocahontas, required a dual performance: one actress for the speaking role and physical modeling, and another for the powerful, Oscar-winning musical numbers. As of December 23, 2025, both women—Irene Bedard and Judy Kuhn—continue to have vibrant and active careers, but their paths and recent headlines couldn't be more different.

This deep dive explores the lives, careers, and latest updates for both the speaking and singing voices behind the iconic Disney heroine, detailing their current projects, their significant legacies in film and theatre, and the complex journey of the actress who became the face and voice of the first Native American Disney Princess.

Irene Bedard: The Speaking Voice and Physical Model (2025 Profile)

Irene Bedard is the Native American actress who provided the speaking voice for Pocahontas in both the 1995 film and its 1998 sequel, Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World. She also served as one of the physical models for the character’s design, lending her features and movements to the animation process.

Biography and Key Career Highlights

  • Birth Name: Irene Bedard
  • Born: July 22, 1967
  • Birth Place: Anchorage, Alaska, United States
  • Ethnicity/Tribe: Bedard is of Alaska Native descent, with a broad indigenous heritage that includes Iñupiaq, Yup'ik, Cree, and French Canadian people. She is enrolled with the Native Village of Koyuk.
  • Notable Roles: Beyond Pocahontas, Bedard is acclaimed for her roles in films like Smoke Signals (1998), The Tree of Life (2011), and the television series The American Experience. She has consistently played Native American lead roles throughout her career.
  • Activism: She is also known as an actress, singer, and activist, using her platform to speak on indigenous issues.

Current Activities and Recent Headlines in 2025

Irene Bedard's 2025 schedule shows a continued engagement with her fanbase through the convention circuit. She is slated to appear at major fan events, including the Twin Tiers Comic-Con in November 2025, and has been a featured guest at events like the Washington State Summer Con. Her presence at these events highlights the enduring legacy of her role as Pocahontas for a new generation of fans.

In early 2025, Bedard was also a noteworthy figure at the Annie Awards, a major event for the animation industry, underscoring her permanent place in Disney history. However, her life has also been marked by considerable personal challenges. Recent years have seen public reports concerning her personal struggles, including past domestic abuse and arrests for disorderly conduct. While sensitive, these reports have also showcased her resilience as an Indigenous woman, navigating complex personal issues while maintaining a public presence and continuing her work as an actress and activist.

Judy Kuhn: The Powerhouse Singing Voice and Broadway Star

The unforgettable, soaring vocals behind Pocahontas's songs, including the Oscar-winning "Colors of the Wind," belong to Broadway legend Judy Kuhn. Her voice gave the Disney Princess an emotional depth that cemented the film's musical success, even though she is not the speaking voice.

Biography and Key Career Highlights

  • Born: May 20, 1958
  • Birth Place: New York, New York, United States (Native New Yorker)
  • Career Accolades: A four-time Tony Award nominee, as well as a Grammy and Olivier Award nominee.
  • Key Broadway Roles: Kuhn is one of the most respected names in musical theatre, known for her performances as Cosette in the original Broadway cast of Les Misérables, Florence Vassy in Chess, Amalia Balash in She Loves Me, and Helen Bechdel in Fun Home.

Judy Kuhn's Thriving 2025 Broadway Calendar

In contrast to Bedard's film and convention work, Judy Kuhn’s 2025 is filled with high-profile theatrical engagements, demonstrating her continued reign as a Broadway powerhouse. Her schedule shows that she is deeply committed to new and classic musical theatre productions:

  • Upcoming Musical: Kuhn is scheduled to join the performances of the new musical Becoming Eve, which is set to begin in March 2025.
  • Gala Appearances: She is listed as a presenter and performer for the 2025 Gala, often a highlight of the theatrical season.
  • The Baker's Wife: She is also involved in the Classic Stage Company's production of The Baker's Wife, continuing her work with major theatrical organizations.

Judy Kuhn’s sustained success on the stage, nearly three decades after her Disney role, shows a performer who has mastered the art of musical storytelling, bringing her incredible vocal talent to new and challenging roles year after year.

The Complex Legacy of Disney's Pocahontas

The enduring popularity of the film, driven by the performances of Bedard and Kuhn, has also kept the conversation about its historical accuracy alive. This is an important part of the actresses' legacy, especially for Irene Bedard, who is an Indigenous woman.

Historical Inaccuracies and Cultural Impact

The Disney film, while popular, has long faced criticism from historians and Native American communities for its significant historical inaccuracies. The true story of Pocahontas (whose birth name was Matoaka) is far more complex and tragic than the romanticized Disney version. Critics point out that the film whitewashes the harsh realities of colonial encounters and distorts the life of the historical figure, who was a child when she met John Smith.

The Role of Irene Bedard's Voice

For Irene Bedard, lending her voice and image to the character was a double-edged sword. She became the most visible Native American actress in Hollywood at the time, but the role itself contributed to a stereotype—the "celluloid Indian Princess." However, her casting ensured that the character was voiced by an actress with genuine Indigenous heritage (Iñupiaq-Cree), a small but significant step for representation in a major Hollywood production. Bedard has since used her platform to draw attention to crucial issues, including the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), linking the historical context of Pocahontas's life to the plight of Native women today. Her ongoing activism is perhaps the most powerful part of her post-Pocahontas legacy.

The combined talents of Irene Bedard and Judy Kuhn created a Disney Princess who is still celebrated today, but their individual careers and the cultural conversation surrounding the film prove that the story of Pocahontas is far from over. From Broadway stages to comic-con floors and critical activism, both women are actively shaping their own powerful legacies in 2025.

The Two Voices of Pocahontas: Where Are Irene Bedard and Judy Kuhn Now in 2025?
pocahontas voice actress
pocahontas voice actress

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