Exclusive Interview with Squid Game Doll Voice & Actress, Reagan To

We introduce you to actress and the English Dub voice of the Squid Game Doll Reagan To. The hit series has officially broken records, becoming Netflix’s biggest series launch with over 330 million viewers and over 2 billion hours watched to date. Reagan’s character has become a viral phenomenon. SNL even did a skit featuring the Squid Game doll and her interview with Young Hollywood went viral on TikTok racking up over 3.4 million likes. She is set to reprise her role in the highly-anticipated Season 2 which is set to premiere December 26th.

She can also be heard as“Big Kid Ember”in the hit and critically-acclaimed Pixar film Elemental. The movie earned Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA and Critics’ Choice Award nominations among many others. Reagan is also no stranger to the small screen as she has multiple credits, including most recently guest starring on the hit series Young Sheldon. 

 Thanks to her endearing personality, the industry has taken notice of this up-and-comer. She presented at the Publicist Guild Awards and the Movieguide Awards which aired on UPtv. Reagan has also quickly built a dedicated fanbase on her verified social media platforms including TikTok with over 4 million likes and over 237,000 followers as well as Instagram with over 359,000 followers.

Outside of acting, Reagan is an award-winning Latin ballroom dancer who trains under renowned dance instructors Shirley and Mark Ballas as well as participates in competitions around the world. To date, she holds the titles of International Ballroom Champion, U.S. National Ballroom Champion, and U.S. National Latin Champion just to name a few. She and her dance partner also represented Team USA in an Olympic-organized World DanceSport Competition, where they placed 2nd in Ballroom Dance.

Hi Reagan welcome to OLC! Your character as the Squid Game doll has become a viral sensation. How did you prepare for such an iconic role, and what was your reaction to its overwhelming success?

Being a voice actor came up naturally! I grew up watching cartoons like The Last Airbender, and my friends and I thought about what we would all look like if we were animated characters! I started with dubbing projects on Netflix, and I learned a lot from my first voice  roles on Sisyphus: The Myth. I really enjoy voice acting in animation and commercials too.  Being a part of Squid Game is an absolute honor! I didn’t know I was in Netflix’s top show until my mom and dad decided to watch it one night. I remember my friends said they heard something about a little show called Squid Game but because of the violent scenes, I’m not allowed to watch it. We didn’t realize I was in it until I heard my voice all over the Internet! 

The Squid Game doll was even featured in an SNL skit. How does it feel to see your character referenced in pop culture?

I feel like I’m living in a dream! I see a lot of fans love the show, and the Squid Game pop-up experiences are incredible! I don’t think kids my age can watch it yet…but it does not feel real when I still hear the doll voice pop up on TikTok and everywhere on social media! So I really cherish every time a fan comes up and gives their support.

Season 3 of Squid Game is highly anticipated. Can you give us any hints about what fans can expect from your character’s return?

I wish I knew more about Squid Game Season 3 myself! But as for Season 2, let’s just say the Red Light Green Light Doll will be even more terrifying. I recorded over 30 different versions of it, each with varying speeds and emotions. 

Voice acting often requires bringing emotion to a character without physical movement. What challenges or surprises did you encounter while voicing the Squid Game doll?

 Finding the right voice of the Squid Game Doll was hard. I didn’t know about the violent scenes at first!  But the director was very nice and wanted me to be myself and stay natural. So the whole time, I was thinking about recess in school and somehow that made the voice scarier!

In Pixar’s Elemental, you voice Big Kid Ember, a character from a movie that earned critical acclaim. What was it like being part of such a celebrated project?

 I was also super lucky to be a part of the cast for Elemental! Meeting fans at the premiere was such a crazy experience as well, and they were all supportive when I was doing interviews for the movie too. They are just as excited as I am about Big Kid Ember. Thank you to all our fans!

Pixar films are known for their emotional depth. Did voicing Ember teach you anything about yourself or how you approach acting?

“YEAH! SHASHA RISA! CAN THE SHOP BE MINE NOW?”

Voicing Big Kid Ember in Elemental was so much fun! I used a lot of excitement and energy when recording in the studio. I feel so connected to this character because I always feel excited and energetic when doing anything I love!

You’ve worked on projects ranging from Young Sheldon to skits with stars like Channing Tatum. How do you balance working in such different areas of the entertainment industry?

I have the best time on Jimmy Kimmel Live each time!  Guillermo is the friendliest person ever, and he’s super funny with jokes. I was on set filming with Mr. Channing Tatum, and I was laughing the whole time for two days! I really like filming with Mr. Rami Malek too! We spent the whole day at the Museum of Ice Cream for our scenes. I was nervous at first, but he was very calm and gave me advice. Working on the TV show Young Sheldon (which happens to be my favorite TV show of all-time) was another dream come true. Iain Armitage, who portrays Sheldon on the show, was so nice to me. I learned so much about TV production at the studio!

You’ve modeled for brands like Nike and Old Navy. How does your experience as a model complement your work as an actress and dancer?

I am so blessed to have modeled for these big brands. I still remembered the giant 10-foot banner of me inside the Nike Store in Las Vegas. The most important thing I have learned being a model is to always present myself with 110% of confidence. This is also super important when it comes to shooting a show on set or when I am focused on my moves on the dance floor while I compete for international titles.

Your dance achievements are incredible, including representing Team USA in international competitions. How do you balance acting and dancing at such a high level?

I’ve been dancing Latin and Ballroom for over seven  years now, and every time I hit the dance floor, it’s pure joy! Latin dance is all about those incredible body movements, and I love bringing that energy with every step—it really reflects my personality, and it feels like the perfect fit for me. Ballroom, on the other hand, is all about elegance and class. Honestly, I feel like a Disney princess every time I’m out there! In 2024, I was incredibly blessed to represent the USA with my dance partner, competing in both Latin and Ballroom in China. It was an unforgettable experience, and I was so thrilled to bring home a medal.

What I love most is sharing this passion with my other world of acting. For example, when I was on set for Young Sheldon, I found a little time between scenes to practice for an upcoming Latin Dance competition. Out of nowhere, the cast jumped in too! I showed Iain (Armitage) a few moves, and we had an absolute blast. We definitely need more dancing in the world! Moments like these make all my daily dance practice feel so worthwhile.

Ballroom dancing and acting both require storytelling. How does your dance background influence your approach to acting?

Believe it or not, I started dancing because of acting.  When I was six years old, I was on set for Jane the Virgin, and Gina Rodriguez showed me a dancing video of herself. It made me want to be as good as her. I tried practicing by myself at home with YouTube videos, but that was not working out at all! My parents and I figured out a way to take classes, and I learned that it takes a lot of practice to get into competitions. The super cute dresses and the amazing hairstyles… they make me feel confident! I have the best coach and mentor, Ms. Shirley Ballas, who is the Queen of Latin Dance and also the head judge of the UK Show Strictly Come Dancing.  She helps me physically and mentally to become a good dancer.  Mastering different kinds of dances taught me about the differences in emotions and how to deliver them to my audience.

You’ve built an impressive social media following, with millions of likes on TikTok. How do you approach creating content, and how has it helped your career?

 I honestly just feel humbled for having fans and followers. Most days I’m at school or at the studio, and my mom just started Instagram and TikTok with me. We didn’t expect this at all when we posted these dance videos to make my family laugh. I like being myself, and I’m happy that everyone enjoys my videos…I’m just an ordinary teenager!

You’ve become an inspiration to many young performers. What advice would you give to kids or teens who want to pursue multiple passions like acting, dancing, and content creation?

Try as many things as you can if possible. Find your passions. Work hard to perfect your craft and never give up.  Learn to manage your time wisely. Also, don’t forget to have fun!

Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer