A response has been published against Bayonetta voice actress Hellena Taylor's claims of being underpaid, which looks to prove that her previous statements in the videos she posted were allegedly false. Outside sources claim that the original voice actor's compensation was significantly higher than what was initially made public by her.
The Dispute Against Taylor
New evidence countered Hellana Taylor's claims saying that she was offered at least $15,000 to play the reprisal of the lead instead of $4,000. According to IGN, there's a report by Bloomberg that was corroborated by VGC, that cited documentation that says Platinum Games tried to hire Taylor for five sessions.
Each session would last four hours, which would have paid between $3,000 to $4,000, which could have added up to $15,000. They added that Taylor asked for a six-figure sum instead, including residuals. Before hiring the new voice actor, Jennifer Hale, Platinum Games offered Taylor a cameo for a fee worth one session, but the original actor declined.
Taylor responded to the video game company's claims and said that it was a lie and that they were just trying to save face. She retained her opinions on the matter and said that she stands by her statements in her videos, which have been viewed more than ten million times.
Her videos were an act of breaking the non-disclosure agreements she signed for the video game company, which was urged by her anxiety about being out of work. Taylor claimed that this caused her anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. She did not want to be involved in the issue any longer, expressing that she wanted to leave all of it behind.
The Issue Before the Dispute
Bayonetta 3 has been set to release on October 28, 2022, but it seems that a shadow continues to loom over the news. That shadow has been cast by no other than Bayonetta's original voice actor, Hellena Taylor. Platinum Games, the creator of the Bayonetta franchise, has announced that the original voice actor will no longer be returning due to "various overlapping circumstances."
Taylor has responded to the announcement by saying that she refused because of the unjust compensation. She feels that the video game company was underpaying her, which she then called an "insult" to her craft.
Previous reports say that the Bayonetta voice actor has spoken up about her disappointment with her pay. Taylor claims that she was offered $4,000 to voice the entire game, adding that it was an insult since the game franchise earned $450 million, not including merchandise.
Taylor asked its fans to boycott the Bayonetta 3 and donate the money they will spend to charity instead. In a video message, she also expressed in her video message that she was standing up in solidarity with people who are underpaid for their talents.
The Bayonetta voice actor went on with the new voice actor, Jennifer Hale, all the joy in the world, and all the, but changed tone and said that she had no right to take her place as the character's voice actor, as mentioned in Nintendo Life.
Many voice actors also supported Hellena Taylor's claims that they were underpaid. She has also garnered support from Bayonetta fans as well as those who haven't even played the game.
