Honestly, if you grew up in the early 2010s, you probably remember the absolute whiplash of hearing Barbie speak in Barbie: A Fairy Secret. It wasn't the voice we were used to. For years, Kelly Sheridan had been the definitive voice of the world’s most famous blonde. Then, suddenly, the Barbie A Fairy Secret cast list looked a little different.
Diana Kaarina stepped into the high heels.
📖 Related: Why Regal Cinema The Falls is Still the Best Way to See a Movie in Miami
It was a weird time for the fandom. This 2011 flick wasn't just another glittery adventure; it was a pivot point for the franchise's sound and feel. People still argue on forums today about whether the "urban" era of Barbie movies—the ones set in modern-day Malibu rather than enchanted forests—lost some of that classic magic. But looking back, the cast was actually stacked with some of the best voice talent in the industry.
The Main Lineup: Who Was Who in Gloss Angeles?
The movie basically follows Barbie and her rival Raquelle (who is a total scene-stealer, let’s be real) as they head to a secret fairy world called Gloss Angeles to rescue Ken. He’s been kidnapped by Princess Graciella, who’s under a love potion spell.
Here is the breakdown of the core Barbie A Fairy Secret cast members who voiced these characters:
- Barbie (Diana Kaarina): Kaarina only voiced Barbie for a short window (about four films). She brought a slightly higher, more "modern teenager" energy to the role compared to Sheridan's more mature, melodic tone.
- Ken (Adrian Petriw): You’ve definitely heard Adrian elsewhere. He’s a veteran in the Vancouver voice acting scene, known for everything from Iron Man: Armored Adventures to The Hollow.
- Raquelle (Britt Irvin): Raquelle is arguably the best part of this movie. Britt Irvin nails the "mean girl who is secretly insecure" vibe perfectly.
- Carrie (Cassandra Lee Morris): This was a huge get. Cassandra Lee Morris is a legend in the anime world (think Morgana from Persona 5 or Leafa from Sword Art Online). She plays one of Barbie's stylists who—surprise!—is actually a fairy.
- Taylor (Kate Higgins): Another heavy hitter. Kate Higgins is the voice of Sakura Haruno in Naruto. In A Fairy Secret, she’s the other stylist-turned-fairy.
The Great Voice Actor Controversy
Why the change? Mattel decided to "rebrand" Barbie around 2010 to make her feel more relatable to the Monster High generation. They wanted her to sound younger. Kelly Sheridan was briefly let go, and the Barbie A Fairy Secret cast became the face of this new direction.
👉 See also: Chuck Just Add Magic: What Really Happened to Saffron Falls’ Most Dangerous Protector
Fans were... not thrilled.
There is a specific kind of nostalgia tied to a voice. When you change it, it feels like a different person. Diana Kaarina did a great job, but she had impossible shoes to fill. It’s interesting to note that Mattel eventually brought Kelly Sheridan back for a few more films before transitioning to Erica Lindbeck later on. It shows that even corporate giants realize when they've messed with a winning formula a bit too much.
The Villain and the Princess
We can't talk about the cast without mentioning the drama in Gloss Angeles. Princess Graciella was voiced by Alexandra Carter, who played the "bewitched" royal with a lot of range. The actual puppet master, however, was Crystal, voiced by Brittney Wilson.
Crystal is a classic "green with envy" character. She wanted Zane (Graciella's actual boyfriend) and used a love potion to get the Princess out of the way by making her fall for Ken. It’s a plot that’s basically a fairy-themed soap opera.
👉 See also: Molly’s Bar Chicago Fire: The Real Story Behind TV’s Most Famous Neighborhood Pub
The chemistry between the Barbie A Fairy Secret cast members really carries the movie. Because a lot of these actors worked together frequently in the Vancouver voice-over circle, the banter between Barbie and Raquelle feels fast-paced and genuine.
Why This Specific Cast Matters for Collectors
If you're a Barbie completist, the "Kaarina Era" is a specific sub-sect of the filmography. The movies from this period—A Fashion Fairytale, A Fairy Secret, Princess Charm School, and A Perfect Christmas—all share this specific vocal DNA.
A Fairy Secret is unique because it’s one of the few times we see Barbie and Raquelle forced into a "buddy cop" dynamic. The voice work by Britt Irvin (Raquelle) is what makes the transition from enemies to friends believable. Without that specific performance, the "Power of Friendship" ending would have felt way more corny than it actually was.
Real Talk: Is It Worth a Rewatch?
Look, the animation in 2011 wasn't exactly Toy Story 3 level. It's a bit stiff. But the script for A Fairy Secret is surprisingly funny. The "shoe fairy" and "purse fairy" concepts are peak 2011 fashion culture.
If you're looking for the Barbie A Fairy Secret cast because you recognized a voice while your kid (or your inner child) was watching, you're likely hearing the "A-Team" of Canadian voice talent. These people are the backbone of Saturday morning cartoons.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're deep diving into the Barbie cinematic universe, here is how you can actually engage with the history of the Barbie A Fairy Secret cast:
- Compare the Eras: Watch Barbie as Rapunzel (Kelly Sheridan) and then A Fairy Secret (Diana Kaarina) back-to-back. You’ll notice the shift in Barbie’s personality immediately—she goes from "composed princess" to "bubbly celebrity."
- Check out the "The Hollow" on Netflix: If you liked Adrian Petriw (Ken) and Diana Kaarina (Barbie), they actually both have major roles in this much darker, mystery-animated series. It shows off their range way beyond the Malibu dreamhouse.
- Look for the Cameos: Nicole Oliver, who plays Lilliana Roxelle in this movie, is a voice acting titan. She’s also Princess Celestia in My Little Pony. Once you hear it, you can't unhear it.
The Barbie A Fairy Secret cast wasn't just a random group of actors; they were part of a massive, slightly controversial experiment to modernize an icon. Whether you love the "new" voice or stay loyal to the old school, you can't deny the talent involved in making Gloss Angeles come to life.