Talking about emotions can be difficult for both teens and adults alike, but Pixar is back to lend a helping hand, as Inside Out 2 is now out in theaters. The film is the sequel to the 2015 hit Inside Out. We got to chat with Kensington Tallman who voices Riley ahead of the film’s release to learn more about her character, the new emotions in the film, and what she hopes audiences take away, including the importance of knowing that you are not alone and anxiety isn’t something to be ashamed of. 

Inside Out 2, directed by Kelsey Mann, returns to the mind of Riley as a teenager just as headquarters are undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for new emotions. Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust aren’t sure hot to feel when Anxiety and even more new emotions show up. Maya Hawke, Ayo Edebiri, Tony Hale, Liza Lapira, and more join the cast, and Amy Poheler, Phyllis Smith, and Lewis Black all reprise their roles. Kensington replaces Kaitlyn Dias from the first film.

Kensington is also known for her roles as Bianca Magic on Nickelodeon’s Drama Club and Tiffany Highlander on That Girl Lay Lay. She also plays Lucy in the Max original Home Sweet Rome!. Inside Out 2 is not Kensington’s first experience with voice acting, as she has lent her voice to Disney Jr.’s Firebuds and Nick Jr.’s Bossy Bear. She also recently had a role in the new film Summer Camp, released this past May.

Kensington revealed she has been a Pixar fan her entire life, and vividly remembered going to see the original Inside Out in theaters, and said she cried because of how much she related to Riley. 

“I have been a Pixar fan for my entire life. I saw Inside Out when I was six years old on my sixth birthday in theaters.”

We also asked Kensington about preparing to voice Riley in the sound booth, and she said before each recording session, she watched the original Inside Out and noticed new things about Riley’s character and voice each time. Kensington said she wanted to stay as authentic to Riley’s character as possible while also putting a new spin on things as she heads into her teenage years. 

“I listen to [Riley’s] voice to make sure that I am staying authentic to her but also bringing something new and unique to her teenage years.”

Because Riley is experiencing many new emotions in Inside Out 2, Kensington said she helped bring out this emotion naturally through drawing on her own personal experiences. She said she relates to Riley’s anxiousness, and the film does a great job of normalizing anxiety and how to deal with it.

“Me and Riley were both entering adolescence at the same time so I felt like I was able to bring my own experiences to her.”

“It was so refreshing to see anxiety portrayed, and we are giving a face to anxiety which I think is really important.”

When you go to the theaters to watch Inside Out 2, Kensington said she hopes the audience knows they are not alone in the things that they are feeling. Every emotion is beautiful and it is okay to not be okay. 

“Each person brings something so unique to the project and really puts all of their energy into it, and I think you really see that.”

Thank you, Kensington, for chatting with Young Entertainment. Make sure to follow her on her Instagram at @heykensington. Watch the rest of the interview where we ask her more about working getting into her character, how she relates to Riley, and working alongside such a star studded cast. 

Consider this: 

• Since you are in a booth while voice acting, you have to use your imagination to put yourself in your character’s shoes. If you can also find ways to relate to them and their experiences, that emotion in your voice will come naturally. 
• The characters you play can teach you more about yourself than you may think. When you are acting, let your character fully take over and try to learn from them and their mistakes.