Today has seen the release of the animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s The Sneetches, with Amari McCoy voicing Stella Sneedly, with the special premiering on Netflix, and The Sneetches also stars Sophie Petersen as Pearl and Christopher Fitzgerald as Pelican. It has been announced that Amari will star as A.J. in the upcoming Disney Jr./Disney+ animated series Hey A.J., which is set for a 2026 release, and she voices the co-lead character of Spark in the Netflix series Hot Wheels Let’s Race. Amongst Amari’s recent projects, she voices recurring character Jewels (the cousin of Ariel, voiced by Mykal-Michelle Harris) in Disney Jr.’s Ariel, and she has recorded for all four series so far of Spidey and His Amazing Friends, which saw her win a Young Entertainer Award for Best Young Actress in a Voiceover Performance. Further voiceover projects for Amari include playing Baby Panda/Box in We Baby Bears for Cartoon Network (spin-off to We Bare Bears), and she was a panellist at the San Diego Comic-Con with Cartoon Network, and she recorded for the Sing 2 animated short film Come Home as Angie’s Daughter, starring alongside her on-screen mother Keke Palmer, Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson and Taron Egerton, and was directed by Garth Jennings. Over the years as a voiceover actor so far, Amari voiced Pippa in Pretzel and the Puppies, Nougat (the sister of Roxy, voiced by Somali Rose) in Puppy Dog Pals, and various characters in T.O.T.S. Earlier this year, Amari made her theatre debut in August Wilson’s Fences at Laguna Playhouse, playing Raynell Maxson, and she has on-screen experience, working on shows such as Frasier, Quantum Leap, How I Met Your Father and A Little Help with Carol Burnett. We chatted to Amari about playing Stella Sneedly in the new release of Dr. Seuss’s The Sneetches, being announced to star as A.J. in the animated series Hey A.J.! (set for a 2026 release) and recording for all four series of Spidey and His Amazing Friends.

In the new release of Dr. Seuss’s The Sneetches, you star as Stella Sneedly, how was it working on an animated adaptation of one of Dr Seuss’s stories and how familiar are you with his work?

I am a HUGE Dr. Seuss fan and when I got the audition, I worked really hard and was ecstatic when I found out I got the role! I had a lot of fun bringing Stella to life working with the incredible voice director, Benji and the producer, Dustin.

Can you tell us about The Sneetches and your character Stella Sneedly, and what was Stella like to voice?

The Sneetches is about an unexpected friendship between a moon-bellied Sneetch and a star-bellied Sneetch, which is prohibited. Stella is a fun, energetic, curious Sneetch that was super fun and pretty easy to embody due to our similarities.

The animated special has now premiered on Netflix and also stars Sophie Petersen as Pearl and Christopher Fitzgerald as Pelican, how does it feel now The Sneetches has been released, and who do you think will enjoy watching it?

It’s been a long process to complete, but so worth it!!! I think it’s a great message that everyone could enjoy.

It has been announced that you will voice lead character A.J. in the upcoming Disney Jr./Disney+ animated series Hey A.J.!, which is set for release next year, is there anything you can tell us about this?

Hey A.J. is based on retired NFL Super Bowl Champion Martellus Bennett and his family. A.J. uses her big imagination to make ordinary moments extraordinary. It’s whimsical, adventurous, and has lots of catchy beats!

How did you feel finding out you’d booked the role of A.J. and what are you looking forward to for the release?

Finding out I booked A.J. was the best news EVER and I can’t wait for the world to meet A.J. and the fam!

What is it like voicing co-lead character Spark in the Netflix series Hot Wheels Let’s Race and what is the show like to be part of?

First of all, the name SPARK is soooo cool! I aspire to be as strategic and smart as Spark… especially when doing my math homework. I got to work with one of my favourite voice directors, Collette (Sunderman), who made it so special!

Was there anything that originally drew you to Hot Wheels Let’s Race and how is it being involved with a series based on the Mattel toy line?

I was very fortunate to work with Mattel as a toy model and also in three Barbie commercials prior to working on Hot Wheel Let’s Race! Hot Wheels are legendary so to be a part of the show as Spark was an honour to uphold!

You voice the recurring role of Jewels (cousin of Ariel, voiced by Mykal-Michelle Harris) in Disney Jr.’s Ariel, how is this?

I have always been drawn to the ocean and even have a mermaid tail for swimming. Recording Jewels seems second nature with my history as a mermaid.

How has it been recording across all four seasons released so far of Spidey and His Amazing Friends, and what was it like winning the Young Entertainer Award for Best Young Actress in a Voiceover Performance for your work in the series?

Spidey has been such an amazing experience! To be a part of such a legendary franchise is nothing short of amazing. To be honoured by the Young Entertainer Awards made the experience all the more special.

In this year’s Apple TV series Goldie, you can be heard as supporting lead character Teeny, how would you describe Teeny and how is it taking on the role?

I remember telling the casting director during the callback how much I related to Teeny because I was ‘Teeny’ too! The show creator, Emily (Brundige), and the voice director, Kristi, made recording this role a blast!

What do you enjoy most about voicing Baby Panda/Box in We Baby Bears for Cartoon Network and how has it been developing the character over the years?

Baby Panda was my first series regular role and hits super close to home. I love the quirkiness and socially awkwardness of Baby Panda and the energetic, sweet Box.

How did you find the experience being a panelist at San Diego Comic-Con with Cartoon Network and how does it feel to play a lead character in the spin-off prequel series to We Bare Bears?

We Bare Bears was my favourite show when I booked the role of Baby Panda! I had just turned 10 when I got to be a panelist at Comic-Con and it was an UNFORGETTABLE experience. We had a blast playing Cartoon Network trivia… P.S. The Bear squad WON!

What are some of your favourite memories from recording for the Sing 2 animated short film – Come Home – as Angie’s Daughter (which also starred your on-screen mother Keke Palmer, Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson and Taron Egerton), and how was it being directed by Garth Jennings?

Being listed with this cast on IMDb is still mind-blowing! Mr. Jennings was Zoomed in and was a great director! Funny story, he fed me a line and I mimicked it perfectly back, even with his British accent! He laughed so hard!

Can you tell us about some of your further voiceover projects, which have included Pretzel and the Puppies as Pippa, Puppy Dog Pals as Nougat (sister of Roxy, voiced by Somali Rose) and T.O.T.S. as various characters?

T.O.T.S was my very first voiceover booking and will always be near and dear to my heart! Nougat, oh silly, scatterbrained Nougat… I can relate sometimes :). I sometimes still find myself yelling “Ta-doooog” and giggling like Pippa!

How do you typically prepare for voiceover roles and how is it seeing your animated characters on screen for the first time?

I read all of the information given and start creating the character and imagining the details of each scene to try to bring the role to life. Seeing the animation come together with my voice just warms my heart every time!

Earlier this year, you made your theatre debut in August Wilson’s Fences at the Laguna Playhouse as Raynell Maxson, what was it like performing in your first theatre show and how was it getting into character as Raynell?

It was a very humbling and eye-opening experience. I was humbled by the amount of talent in the cast and it awakened my love for theatre and performing live on stage. Since my scene was toward the end of the play, I would be backstage listening to the actors and that helped me get into character for Raynell.

As an on-screen actor, you have been seen in shows such as Frasier, Quantum Leap, How I Met Your Father and A Little Help with Carol Burnett, can you say about some of your stand-out highlights?

My first on-camera project was with THE Carol Burnett, it doesn’t get much better than that!!

How different do you find voiceover, performing on stage, and screen acting, and do you have a favourite aspect of each?

Voiceover could technically be done in your PJs from a home studio, but is also fast-paced and requires constant energy throughout the session. Performing on stage has a different energy of its own that I love. On-camera acting has its own vibe that is equally exciting!

Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into it?

I remember when I was little telling my mom I wanted to act. Once I experienced voiceover, on-camera, and live theatre, I knew there was no going back! I just love it!

Do you have any favourite films and TV shows to watch, and how do you like to spend your free time?

Some of my favourites are, 101 Dalmatians, Wonder, Hairspray, Meet the Robinsons, and A Series of Unfortunate Events.

In my free time, I enjoy singing, sewing, swimming, sketching, and hanging with my pup, Harley.

Apart from Hey A.J.!, do you have any further projects coming up that you can talk about, and what are you hoping next year brings for your career?

I have a few fun projects coming up, but can’t disclose yet. I am hoping next year brings an on-camera booking and lots of success for Hey A.J.!

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