You know the scream. It’s high-pitched, slightly frantic, and usually involves the word "MOM!" at a volume that should realistically shatter windows across Danville. If you grew up in the 2000s or 2010s, that voice is likely burned into your brain as the soundtrack to summer vacation. But when people ask who is the voice of Candace on Phineas and Ferb, the answer usually sparks a "wait, really?" moment.
It’s Ashley Tisdale.
Yes, the same Ashley Tisdale who lived the "fabulous" life as Sharpay Evans in High School Musical. While she was busy ruling East High with a pink, glittery fist, she was also spending her afternoons in a recording booth, shrieking about a platypus and a giant roller coaster. It’s a wild contrast. One character is a theater diva who demands perfection; the other is a teenager on the verge of a nervous breakdown because her brothers built a portal to Mars in the backyard.
The Disney Queen Behind the Redhead
Honestly, Ashley Tisdale was everywhere back then. You couldn't turn on Disney Channel without seeing her. She was Maddie Fitzpatrick on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, playing the grounded, hardworking candy counter girl. Then, almost overnight, she became the voice of Candace Flynn.
Most people didn't realize it at first. Voice acting is a different beast than live-action. You can't rely on a hair flip or a dramatic outfit to sell the character. It’s all in the throat. Tisdale has mentioned in interviews that playing Candace is actually exhausting. Think about it. Candace doesn't just talk; she exists at a ten. She’s constantly yelling, gasping, or singing at the top of her lungs.
📖 Related: Cast of Buddy 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
Why the Voice Works So Well
There’s a specific grit to Candace’s voice that makes her relatable. She’s fifteen. She’s hormonal. She’s obsessed with a boy named Jeremy. Tisdale managed to capture that "barely holding it together" energy perfectly.
Interestingly, Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh, the show's creators, didn't just want a generic cartoon voice. They wanted someone who could handle the fast-paced, almost manic dialogue of the show. If you watch the behind-the-scenes clips of Ashley in the booth, she isn't just standing there. She’s moving. She’s gesturing. You can’t get that kind of frantic energy while standing perfectly still.
Does She Actually Do the Singing?
One of the coolest things about Phineas and Ferb is the music. Every single episode has a song. And because Tisdale is a professional singer (remember the Headstrong era?), she did all of her own vocals for Candace.
Remember "Gitchee Gitchee Goo"? Or "S.I.M.P. (Squirrels In My Pants)"? That’s her.
👉 See also: Carrie Bradshaw apt NYC: Why Fans Still Flock to Perry Street
But there is a funny little exception to the rule. In the pilot episode, "Rollercoaster," there's a scene where Candace has an allergic reaction to wild parsnips. Her voice gets super deep and gravelly. That wasn't Ashley. That was actually Dan Povenmire himself doing the "allergic" voice. It’s a tiny bit of trivia that most casual fans miss, but it shows how much the creators were willing to jump in to get the right sound.
The 2026 Revival and Beyond
Fast forward to right now. It’s 2026, and the Phineas and Ferb hype is back in a big way. Disney recently greenlit a massive revival, and the first question everyone had was: is the original cast coming back?
The answer is a resounding yes. Ashley Tisdale is officially back as Candace.
It’s been over 18 years since the show first aired in 2007. In a recent appearance on The View, Ashley talked about how different it feels to record Candace now that she’s a mom in her 40s. She joked that she has to "work a little harder" for that high-energy scream these days, but the character is so ingrained in her that it’s like second nature.
✨ Don't miss: Brother May I Have Some Oats Script: Why This Bizarre Pig Meme Refuses to Die
What You Might Have Missed
While Tisdale is the main voice, there have been a few other "Candaces" over the years in weird, niche contexts:
- Shelby Young: She voiced Candace for the Disney Broken Karaoke shorts.
- The Second Dimension: In the movie Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension, Ashley voiced both the "normal" Candace and the "Resistance Leader" Candace. The latter was way deeper and more serious.
- Milo Murphy’s Law: When the show had its crossover event, Tisdale returned to voice Candace alongside the rest of the gang.
Why Candace Matters Now
It’s easy to dismiss Candace as just an antagonist, but she’s really the heart of the show’s chaos. She represents that transition from childhood to being a "grown-up" teenager. She wants to be responsible (by busting her brothers), but she also still wants to play.
Ashley Tisdale brought a vulnerability to that role. When Candace sings "I’m Lindana and I Wanna Have Fun," you can hear the genuine joy. When she’s crying to Stacy on the phone, you feel for her.
If you’re looking to dive back into the world of Danville, the best way to appreciate the voice work is to watch the 2020 movie, Candace Against the Universe. It was basically a love letter to the character, and it gave Tisdale a chance to show off her vocal range in a way the 11-minute episodes never could.
The next time you hear that iconic "MOOOOOM!", you’ll know exactly who’s on the other end of that microphone. It’s not just a cartoon character; it’s a career-defining performance from one of Disney’s most versatile stars.
Next Steps for Fans:
Go check out the official Phineas and Ferb YouTube channel to see the "Busted" live performance from 2025. Seeing Ashley Tisdale and Olivia Olson (who voices Vanessa) sing that song live after nearly two decades is a total trip for anyone who grew up with the show.