You probably remember the glitter. Or maybe the way the floor tiles lit up when the sisters danced. But if you haven't watched it lately, you might have missed just how stacked the Barbie and the Twelve Dancing Princesses cast actually was. It wasn't just some throwaway direct-to-video gig. We're talking about legendary comedic icons and the literal voice of a generation.
Released in 2006, this movie was the ninth Barbie flick, and honestly? It’s arguably the peak of that era. It wasn't just about the ballet. It was about the chemistry of a voice cast that made twelve distinct sisters feel like a real, chaotic, loving family.
The Icon Herself: Kelly Sheridan as Genevieve
If you grew up in the 2000s, Kelly Sheridan is Barbie. Period. She didn't just show up for one movie; she voiced the character from 2001 all the way to 2010 (and then came back for a second round later). In Twelve Dancing Princesses, she plays Genevieve, the seventh sister who is basically the glue holding the whole group together.
Sheridan has this specific warmth. She makes Genevieve feel responsible but also kind of a rebel. When she’s interacting with Derek or trying to outsmart Duchess Rowena, you really hear that balance of "royal grace" and "get-it-done" attitude. It's subtle, but it's why we all loved Genevieve.
Wait, Catherine O’Hara Was the Villain?
Seriously. This is the fact that usually floors people who haven't looked at the credits since they were seven. Catherine O’Hara—yes, the Home Alone mom, the Schitt’s Creek legend, the Emmy winner—voiced Duchess Rowena.
Rowena is a top-tier Barbie villain. She isn't just "evil"; she’s passive-aggressive, controlling, and honestly kind of terrifying because she gaslights the King. O'Hara brings this brittle, sharp-edged sophistication to the role. You can tell she’s having the time of her life being absolutely miserable. She plays Rowena as someone who views dancing as a moral failing, and that weirdly intense energy is exactly what makes the stakes feel real.
Breaking Down the Sisters (and the Voices)
Managing a cast of twelve sisters is a logistical nightmare for a writer, but the Barbie and the Twelve Dancing Princesses cast pulled it off by hiring a mix of Vancouver’s best voice talent. Many of these actors are titans in the world of animation.
- Nicole Oliver (Ashlyn and Twyla): Nicole is voice acting royalty. You might know her better as Princess Celestia from My Little Pony. Here, she pulls double duty as the eldest sister, Ashlyn, and Genevieve’s cat, Twyla.
- Jennifer Copping (Blair): The second sister.
- Lalainia Lindbjerg (Courtney): The bookworm. Lindbjerg was actually the voice of Bulma in the Ocean dub of Dragon Ball Z.
- Kathleen Barr (Delia): Another legend. She was Kevin in Ed, Edd n Eddy and Dot Matrix in ReBoot.
- Chiara Zanni (Edeline): Known for Hamtaro and My Little Pony.
- Adrienne Carter (Fallon): The romantic one.
- Ashleigh Ball (Hadley and Isla): Years before she was Rainbow Dash and Applejack, she was voicing the twins in this movie.
- Britt McKillip (Janessa): She was also Princess Cadance in MLP.
- Maddy Capozzi (Kathleen): One of the younger triplets.
- Chantal Strand (Lacey): The youngest sister who always feels like she’s messing up. Strand also voiced Diamond Tiara in My Little Pony.
Notice a pattern? Half of Ponyville is in this castle. It’s a testament to the talent pool in the Canadian voice-over scene at the time.
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The Men of the Kingdom
We can't forget Derek. Shawn MacDonald voiced the royal cobbler who is clearly head-over-heels for Genevieve. He’s not your typical "action hero" prince; he’s a craftsman. MacDonald gives him a grounded, sincere vibe that makes their romance feel way more earned than most fairy tales.
Then there’s King Randolph, voiced by Christopher Gaze. He has that perfect "tired dad" voice. He loves his daughters but is completely overwhelmed by twelve girls who just want to dance and wear colorful dresses. Gaze makes the King’s slow poisoning by Rowena actually heartbreaking rather than just a plot point.
Rounding out the villains, we have Garry Chalk as Desmond (Rowena’s lackey) and Peter Kelamis as Brutus, the world’s most annoying monkey. Kelamis is actually the voice of Goku in the Ocean dub of Dragon Ball Z, which is a wild thing to think about when he’s screeching as a tiny monkey.
Why the Casting Made the Movie a Success
Direct-to-video movies usually cut corners. They hire whoever is cheapest. But Mattel and Mainframe Entertainment (the studio) understood that if you’re doing a story based on the Brothers Grimm, the acting needs to carry the emotional weight.
The music also played a huge role. Arnie Roth composed the score, and he’s a heavy hitter—he’s the guy behind the Distant Worlds Final Fantasy concerts. He was even nominated for an Emmy for the song "Shine" from this movie. When you combine high-level orchestral music with a cast led by Catherine O’Hara and Kelly Sheridan, you get something that stays in people's heads for twenty years.
The Legacy of the 2006 Cast
Honestly, looking back at the Barbie and the Twelve Dancing Princesses cast, it's clear why this movie is a "comfort watch" for so many. The performances aren't caricatures. When Lacey cries because she thinks she’s not good enough, or when Genevieve has to make the choice to leave the magical realm to save her father, the voice work is what makes you feel it.
If you haven't revisited it in a while, it’s worth a rewatch just to hear Catherine O’Hara chew the scenery. It’s a masterclass in how to play a villain that kids will love to hate.
Next Steps for Barbie Fans
If you're feeling nostalgic, your best bet is to check out the digital storefronts. While Barbie movies move around streaming services quite a bit, this one is usually available for rent or purchase on Amazon and YouTube. You can also dig into the "behind the scenes" features if you can find an old DVD copy—they show some of the New York City Ballet dancers who did the motion capture for the princesses, which explains why the dancing looks so much better than your average 2006 CGI.
Check out the official Barbie YouTube channel as well; they often post clips or musical numbers like "Shine," which is still a total bop. If you're a voice acting nerd, look up some of the "Behind the Mic" interviews with Kelly Sheridan to see how she voiced so many different versions of Barbie over the decades.
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Expert Insight: One thing people often forget is that the names of the sisters are actually alphabetical by age: Ashlyn (A), Blair (B), Courtney (C), Delia (D), Edeline (E), Fallon (F), Genevieve (G), Hadley (H), Isla (I), Janessa (J), Kathleen (K), and Lacey (L). This kind of attention to detail is exactly why the movie remains a fan favorite.
Now that you know the voices behind the crowns, you'll never hear Duchess Rowena the same way again. Happy watching.