It finally happened. I booked a project that I was genuinely excited about: One of those auditions that makes you stop and go, “Wait, I actually got this?!” I recorded it, got paid, and eagerly waited for the release so I could share it with everyone.
But when the final ad dropped… my voice wasn’t there.
They went with someone else.
At first, I was honestly bummed. It’s a strange feeling; being so close to something, celebrating the win, and then realizing your work didn’t make the cut. I started asking myself, Would I rather have made it into the final version and not been paid… or gotten paid and not made it in?
This particular job paid really well, so I can’t complain too much. And when I thought about it more, I realized I actually came out ahead. I did my job. I showed up, delivered what was asked, and got compensated for it. Everything that came after: creative changes, new directions, different reads — was completely out of my control.
That’s one of the hardest lessons in voiceover: you can do everything right and still not end up in the final product.
Sometimes it’s not about performance. It could be a creative shift, a new client stepping in, or the ad just needing a different tone. I’ve said it before. This industry is full of things that are completely out of your hands. What is in your control is how you handle those moments.
So instead of focusing on the disappointment, I started to look at what actually happened:
I booked the job.
I got paid for my work.
I built a relationship with a new client who could easily call me back in the future.
And that’s a win.
The truth is, booking a job means your audition stood out. Someone heard your read and thought, “That’s the one.” That’s something worth celebrating, whether or not your voice ends up in the final cut.
This experience reminded me that every project is part of the journey. There will be more opportunities, more wins, and yes, more surprises along the way. All I can do is stay ready, keep improving, and trust that what’s meant for me won’t miss me.