Erika Henningsen (Moraga, California, 1992) is the voice of Charlie Morningstar, the lead in Amazon Prime’s highly anticipated series Hazbin Hotel, based on the pilot episode created by Vivienne Medrano. Charlie is none other than the daughter of Lucifer and the Princess of Hell, and the musical adult animation follows her as she tries to solve Hell’s overpopulation problems through a demon redemption program at her unique hotel.
A rising star on the stage
Henningsen is an actress and singer well known for her work in musical theatre, gaining widespread recognition for her talent and versatility in various stage roles. The California native’s most notable works include her portrayal of Cady Heron in the Broadway adaptation of “Mean Girls,” which marked her rise to prominence in the world of musical theatre.
Her career began with notable roles in regional theatre productions and national tours. She made her Broadway debut in “Les Misérables,” where she played the role of Fantine, a role that showcased her vocal prowess and acting skills.
In addition to her stage work, Henningsen is known for her vocal talents, which have been featured in various musical theatre recordings and concerts. Her involvement in “Hazbin Hotel” as the voice of Charlie Morningstar represents a significant foray into voice acting, especially in an animated series, expanding her repertoire beyond stage performances.
Henningsen’s dedication to her craft, along with her ability to portray a range of emotions through her voice, makes her a suitable choice for the character of Charlie Morningstar in “Hazbin Hotel.” Her background in musical theatre adds an extra layer of depth to her voice acting, likely contributing to the character’s appeal and complexity.
Apart from her theatrical endeavors, Henningsen has also been a prominent figure in philanthropy and social activism. During her time at the University of Michigan, she co-presided over the Michigan Performance Outreach Workshop (MPOW), an organization aimed at bringing performing arts opportunities to students in southeastern Michigan. Her commitment to community engagement continued with her involvement with Sing For Hope, a New York City-based non-profit dedicated to making high-quality arts education and programming accessible. Henningsen’s dedication to social causes is evident in her participation in various events supporting organizations like Artists Striving to End Poverty (ASTEP), Artists For Action NYC, and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Jill Harris and Elsie Lovelock, the original voices of Charlie Morningstar
Henningsen may be the voice for Charlie in the Amazon Prime series however in the pilot episode, released all the way back in 2019, the speaking voice of Charlie was done by Jill Harris, while her singing was done by Elsie Lovelock.
For the Amazon Prime series, the producers have elected to have just Erika Henningsen for both the speaking and singing parts of Charlie.
Elsie Lovelock said about the change: “I wish the project every success as it goes forward, and I’m sure the new voice of Charlie, speaking and singing, will be absolutely amazing.” However some fans have been upset by the change, and so far the production team have not explained why the change was made.
