Hello and welcome back to that article that looks into the actors and actresses behind your favorite Steven Universe characters, "Hey, It's That Voice!" Today, we are looking the voice behind that lovable, angry slice of pie, Peridot!
Peridot is a unique character, far more than most in Steven Universe. She has been the first character that has been considered an antagonist to be reformed. We saw her start as a no-nonsense technician/science officer, then turn into a frantic, paranoid, and hysterical alien who wants to return home, and finally into a naïve and still stubborn and hot-headed gem who is still trying to understand her new home. In only 24 episodes (appeared as of this article's completion), she has had quite some character development.
 |
| Time sure does fly when you go from an alien invader to a lovable green Dorito. |
But while all this character evolution is fantastic and just proof of how amazing of a children's cartoon Steven Universe is (yes, it's still a children's cartoon, kinda hard to remember that given how amazing it is), who is the voice of this cute and crazy gem? Why, that would be Shelby Rabara!
 |
| This is just one of my favorite scenes of Peridot, and I don't know why. |
Born in Orange County, California on October 5, 1983, Shelby Rabara attended University of California, Los Angeles where she graduated with a degree in world arts and cultures. At a young age, she stated that she fell in love with acting and dancing by watching Gene Kelly. She was previously one of the Laker Girls; the cheerleading squad of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team. While she did start with cheerleading and dancing, she did start her acting with bit parts and cameos in numerous of television series. These includes Grounded For Life, The Bold And The Beautiful, Cold Case, Greek, Viva Laughlin, My Name is Earl, House M.D., Community, Glee, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Bunheads, Dr. Ken, and 2 Broke Girls. She also appeared in small parts for a few films as well, particularly Spring Breakdown, 17 Again, Dance Flick, and the 2009 version of Fame. However, Rabara has had a couple of reoccurring roles along with her work as Peridot (Fun fact: Rabara originally auditioned for the role of Garnet). She has repeatedly appeared on The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers with the roles of Bella and The Dark Nurse and repeatedly appearing on the MTV series Awkward. where she plays Mia.
Rabara is married to actor and dancer Harry Shum, Jr. (best known as the actor who portrays Mike Chang in Glee), who she began dating in 2007 and married in 2015. More about Shelby Rabara can be found from her website, Twitter, and Instagram. My friends say she is worth following for her Vines.
And that will do it for this edition of "Hey, It's That Voice!" Join me next week when get to look at that big orange bruiser that we all love.
