An interview with Briana White, the voice actress who brought Aerith Gainsborough to life in Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth.
Congratulations on your award nominations! How does it feel to receive such recognition?
Thank you so much. It's completely surreal...I'm so grateful for this journey and it has totally changed my life.
Why do you think Aerith resonates with so many people?
Aerith left a lasting impact... I think her story reminded gamers around the world that life is short and fragile...With Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, we get the opportunity to fall in love with Aerith all over again...
Did you feel the pressure of fan expectations?
Of course, I felt that pressure...When I got the email that I booked the role, I realized that this is a character that people have posters of hanging in their rooms! ...There were many times I wondered if I was the right person for the role.
How did you prepare for the challenge of Rebirth?
Through Final Fantasy VII Remake, I was really overwhelmed with the technical challenges...For Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, I had all that experience under my belt, so I could really just act.
Did knowing how Aerith's story concludes influence your performance?
When recording for the ending of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, it was a challenge to let go of any preconceived notions...So I really had to let that all go and focus on each line, each moment of telling Aerith’s story...
How do you balance staying true to expectations while bringing your own interpretation?
A lot of that is decided collaboratively as a team...The writers translate the script, I listen to the legendary Maaya Sakamoto for every sound Aerith makes, and then I give my best versions of what I think that should sound like in English.
Is this the first time you are experiencing the full game on Twitch and YouTube?
Yes, my stream on Twitch is my first time playing through the game! ...So to play the game for the first time is really special and to share that with my community is even more special.
Are you dreading the moment you will see *that* sequence at the end?
The Final Fantasy VII Rebirth team have done such a great job of making the Remake series still feel fresh and new and unknown, so mostly, I'm just happy to be along for the ride!
Fans have been discussing Cloud's love interest. What do you think?
I think one of the strengths of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the connection between all of the characters...As for romantic love, it completely depends on the player...
What do you think are Aerith's real feelings towards Cloud?
I don't think anyone could play Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII - Reunion and come away with any doubt that Aerith and Zack care for each other...Aerith makes it very clear in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth that she cares for Cloud as well for who he is.
Is there a story moment from the original you are really looking forward to seeing in Part 3?
As I haven't played through the original, I look forward to discovering the silly moments...I'm really looking forward to the final confrontation with Sephiroth.
If you weren’t playing Aerith, is there any character in Final Fantasy VII you would have liked to bring to life?
I would have been thrilled to play any character...But if I had to pick someone from the main cast, Tifa is such an amazing character...On the other hand, I bet voicing Scarlet is an absolute blast.
If you could use one word to describe your experience being Aerith, which would it be and why?
Dream. Because voicing her has been an absolute dream come true. It feels like a fairy tale...
Did the popularity of playing Aerith impact your streaming career?
Oh, absolutely, it did...When Final Fantasy VII Remake was released...I was very suddenly streaming to 8000 people...Now it has settled, and I am streaming to about 1000 people...
What’s next for you after Final Fantasy VII Rebirth?
Nope! I am auditioning and waiting...But in the meantime, I continue to stream and make content...
