Paris Dunbar: Actress, Model, and the Voice Behind L.O.L Surprise, Royal Bee!

Paris Dunbar is an actress and model known for her roles in Blood from Stone, Kin Dread, and Interstate 15. More recently, Paris has been involved in the voice animation for the highly sought-after and adored — L.O.L Doll franchise, where she provides the voice for Royal Bee. In an interview, we discussed energy, L.O.L Surprise! House of Surprises, what to expect from her, and more!

KH: Tell me a little bit about yourself?

Paris: I’m originally from Columbus, Ohio. In December 2019, I moved to LA, which is when I started working professionally as a model and actress. I booked my first job as the lead in the Meek Mill and Justin Timberlake’s music video, Believe – which was a cinematic experience. From there, I just kept working.

KH: You moved to LA to begin your professional career right before the pandemic outbreak; how did that affect you?

Paris: It was scary because my friend’s mother worked for the government and told me the country was going to get shut down. Life was still the same for a second. In March, everything shut down. I had just moved into a studio apartment by myself. I had never experienced a world shutdown before, and I was in LA alone. My cousin had called, and she was like, I’ll book you a ticket, come back to Columbus. I went back for a few weeks but ended up returning to LA. Everything just kind of worked out after that.

KH: What led you to voice acting? Is it something you were drawn to or just sort of fell into?

Paris: My agent sent me an audition for the character, Royal Bee. I remember reading the breakdown, and I was like, oh my gosh, I love this girl. So, I sent over a voice memo, and they booked me. They loved it, and she catered so much to my personality. I don’t even really have to act when I’m portraying Royal Bee. It’s so natural. It was almost like it was meant to be.

KH: What was it like hearing your voice on an animated character for the first time?

Paris: Seeing her for the first time was crazy. I did the voiceover audition, but I didn’t know what she looked like. When I went into the studio, I got to do the live voiceover with the animation, and I saw her. It was crazy. I’m from Ohio. I would only see stuff like this on Disney or something while growing up. I never thought that it would be me doing it. It was really cool.

KH: What do you love about playing the character, Royal Bee?

Paris: What I love about her character is that Royal Bee gives us so many gems – random wisdom. She’s super confident, has a big presence, but is full of humility at the same time. I almost feel like she’s an alter ego. If I could get dressed up and be somebody else, I’d probably be Royal Bee.

KH: What advice would you give someone interested in voice work?

Paris: Just do it. Specifically, look for voiceover casting websites, and just start submitting yourself. Honestly, I booked off a voice memo on the iPhone.

KH: While you have been able to lend your voice to animation, you have also been in front of the camera in traditional film. Do you have a preference for one over the other?

Paris: I definitely like traditional films the most because it takes a bit more artistry. I have to show up. I have to get dressed. It embodies more of the work I’ve put in prior to coming here and doing this.

KH: Are there any additional projects that you’re working on? What can fans look forward to from you in the future?

Paris: I just did a character for Rainbow High, which is a popular kid’s cartoon featured on Netflix. My character’s name is Sabrina. That should be coming out within a month or so.

KH: What can you tell us about your character, Sabrina?

Paris: She’s a singer. She has a very southern/country flare. Yeah, she’s so cute.

KH: Switching gears, you recently released a song called “Keep Living.” What inspired you to write this beautiful song? What is the message within?

Paris: So, my grandma passed away a year ago. As a way of coping, I was like, I’m going to write a song. She was like my best friend. She raised me, and I didn’t know what life looked like without her. Strangely, I just assumed that maybe we would just get older and older together. I never thought she was going to leave. At the time, I was sitting in my room in Ohio, and I was wondering what my grandma would say to me at that moment. I heard her voice say, “Par, you just gotta keep living and put God first.” I was like, oh snap, and I just started writing the song.

KH: You also have your own podcast titled “Free Writes and Perspectives,” which is available to stream on Spotify, Apple, and Google. What can listeners expect to hear from you on your podcast regarding topics or points of discussion?

Paris: Free Writes and Perspectives is a sporadic podcast where I elaborate on topics everyone goes through. Right now, I have “consistency” and “the great anger,” which, of course, is more of an elaboration of a great loss – my grandma. It offers relatability. If we look at it from this perspective, it helps us heal and grow.

KH: You’re talented and versatile. Tell us about Made by Par, your apparel line?

Paris: Made by Par was inspired some years ago. I was making these handmade jean bags. I would go to the thrift store, cut up old jeans, sew them up and sell them. People would buy them. Everyone knows what’s made in China – I want them to know it’s Made by Par, which is my family nickname. It’s evolving over time.

KH: Is there anything you would like to add in closing for our readers?

Paris: Just keep living, put God first, and everything else will manifest in between.