Ashleigh Ball

Ashleigh Ball is a Canadian voice actress and musician from Vancouver. As a musician, she is primarily known as a singer and flutist for the alternative rock band "Hey Ocean!" (2004-). As a voice actress she is primarily known for voicing two of the main characters of the long-running fantasy series "My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic" (2010-2019). She voiced the stubborn apple farmer Applejack and the overconfident speedster Rainbow Dash, both of them being tomboy characters. Ball voiced alternate reality versions of the two characters in four "Equestria Girls" films (2013-2016) and several television specials. These versions were depicted as adolescent musicians, with emerging magical powers. Ball's first significant voice role was that of adolescent inventor Mary Test in the science fantasy series "Johhny Test". She voiced the character from 2006 to 2014, while the character was previously voiced by Brittney Wilson. For the same series, Ball voiced the character of Sissy Blakley, who served as both a rival and a love interest to the protagonist. Ball voiced the accident-prone Oopsy Bear in the short-lived series "Care Bears: Adventures in Care-a-lot" (2007-2008). It was the third television series based on the "Care Bares" franchise. Oopsy had been introduced in the computer-animated film "Care Bears: Oopsy Does It!" (2007), with Ball as his voice actress. In 2008, Ball voiced recurring antagonist Kirstee in the second and last season of the series "Bratz" (2005-2008). Ball replaced Kaley Cuoco, who had voiced the character in the first season. Kirstee worked as an intern for fashion magazine "Your Thing", while the protagonists worked for a rival magazine. They antagonized each other for both personal and professional reasons. Ball had the recurring role of Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff in the second season of the superhero series "Iron Man: Armored Adventures" (2009-2012). This version of the character was initially depicted as a professional thief. After being captured by the covert organization SHIELD, she was recruited into their ranks. She had been given the option of either working for them, or serving a long prison sentence. Ball voiced regular character Plum Pudding in "Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures" (2010-2015). Her character was depicted as a professional dancer and the owner of her own dance studio. Plum had a competitive streak, and a quick temper. Ball also voiced Princess Allura in "Voltron Force" (2011-2012). This version of the character struggled between her duties as a pilot and as a head of state for the planet Arus. She eventually chose her niece Larmina as a replacement pilot. Ball voiced co-protagonist Princess Talia in the English version of the magical girl series "LoliRock" (2014-2017). Talia was depicted as the most serious, disciplined, intelligent, and goal-oriented member of a team of magical girls. She blamed herself because her older sister Izira was defeated and captured by a foe, while Talia was attending a festival. She figured that she had to train hard in order to avenge her sister. By 2022, Ball was 39-years-old. She has gained a cult following for her relatively high-profile voice roles. Fans of her voice acting have at times become interested in her music releases, and she has performed music at fan conventions. She has never stopped working regularly, and she seems to have no plans to retire yet.