TikTok has always had a text-to-speech feature that allows users to have the text they put on videos to be read out by a voice that once sounded very much like Siri. However, a lawsuit suggested that TikTok didn’t have permission to use that voice, and TikTok had to find a new person to continue with their text-to-speech feature.
You can use TikTok’s text-to-speech option by typing text on a video, holding down on the text, and hitting “text-to-speech.” The voice used to sound like Siri, but the new one is much more upbeat due to a lawsuit. The new actor, however, has a great relationship with the app.
Let’s take a closer look at the history of TikTok’s text-to-speech feature and what happened to the old voice you might have gotten used to hearing.
What Happened to the Siri Voice on TikTok?
TikTok has always offered a feature where you can type text onto a video and have it read out by a neutral narrator that sounds much like the Siri voice.
However, many people noticed recently that the neutral voice was replaced by someone a lot more energetic and upbeat, creating a different vibe for the narration.
This is because the voice was by a voice actor named Bev, who recorded some words for translations but never agreed to let TikTok use her voice for their sounds. So she sued the company, and although they never commented on the lawsuit, the voice changed very quickly.
How to Get the Siri-Like Voice Effect on TikTok
The narrator voice effect is often used for comedy purposes on TikTok or for reading a story posted elsewhere. For example, some users will post Reddit stories and have the voice narrate them. It can also give further context to situations in videos; sometimes, people will hide the text and use the voice.
Although there’s no going back to the old voice, you can still use the new one for narration. It’s very easy to do.
- Just type out the text you want on the video and tap on the text when it’s done.
- You can select Text to Speech; the voice will read it when your video plays.
You can play around with the text duration and when it begins and ends by changing the text, as the voice will change along with it.
Who is the Voice Behind the New Text-to-Speech Feature?
Kat Callaghan, a voice artist and radio host for a Canadian station, is the new voice behind TikTok’s text-to-speech feature. Unlike the first voice artist who ended up suing them for their use of her voice, Callaghan says she has a great relationship with the creators of the app on TikTok.
Many people initially had some suspicion about Callaghan’s claim, thinking the voice was automated and she might be lying to go viral. However, she made a few videos of her doing the exact voice, which put people’s minds at ease.
Although people miss the Siri voice, it’s unlikely ever to come back since the owner of the voice was explicitly unhappy about being used for TikTok.
How to Use Text-to-Speech on TikTok
While some people use the text-to-speech option on TikTok using the above steps, others aren’t quite sure how to use it. It’s become popular amongst Gen Z to use it as a comedic effect, reading out jokes or stories in a neutral voice that adds to the laughs.
It’s also famous for some accounts to post viral stories from other websites (such as Reddit) and have them read out and be on the screen for accessibility purposes (and the fact TikTok has a time limit and some people can’t read stories that fast).
It’s essential to consider the accessibility reasons, but ultimately, it’s up to you if you choose to use it.
In Conclusion
Regardless, the text-to-speech on TikTok has a fascinating history, with lawsuits and many trends following it. However, it seems as if everything is good now with the app and current voice actor, so you can use it by hitting the text and choosing text-to-speech for whatever effect you’d like!