Convention - Paris Manga & Sci-Fi Show 2026: The Great Female Voices of Disney Cast Their Spell Over Villepinte with Claire Guyot and Maeva Méline

By Mulder, Parc des expositions de Paris Nord Villepinte (Hall 7),, 14 march 2026

On March 14, 2026, at 6:00 PM, inside Hall 7 of the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center, the Paris Manga & Sci-Fi Show delivered one of its most emotionally resonant moments by bringing together two major figures of French dubbing and musical performance closely tied to the Disney legacy: Claire Guyot and Maeva Méline. What initially appeared to be a classic convention panel quickly transformed into something far more intimate and celebratory, as fans of all generations gathered not just to see these artists, but to reconnect with the voices that have shaped their cinematic memories for decades. There is something uniquely powerful about dubbing—especially in France, where the craft is elevated to an art form—and this conference served as a vivid reminder that behind every beloved animated heroine or iconic TV character lies a performer whose voice carries emotional continuity across time, cultures, and generations.

What immediately stands out about Claire Guyot is the sheer depth and longevity of her career, which extends far beyond dubbing into theater, music, and artistic direction. Born in Paris in 1966 and the daughter of editor Raymonde Guyot, she built her career through a combination of classical acting training and early technical work in cinema, notably as an assistant editor on films like *La Lectrice* and *La Reine blanche*. Her entry into dubbing in the early 1990s, thanks to Jacqueline Porel, marked the beginning of a remarkable career that would see her become the regular French voice of internationally recognized actresses such as Winona Ryder, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Teri Hatcher, Alicia Silverstone, Katherine Waterston, and Indira Varma. Yet it was her work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, voicing Sarah Michelle Gellar, that cemented her popularity with a wider audience, a role she would carry into films like Scream 2 and Cruel Intentions. During the panel, she shared candid and often humorous anecdotes about this pivotal period, including the impact of the 1995 dubbing actors’ strike, which temporarily sidelined her before she was brought back to voice Winona Ryder by Jean-Pierre Jeunet in Alien: Resurrection—a turning point that speaks volumes about both her resilience and her reputation within the industry.

However, reducing Claire Guyot to her iconic dubbing roles would overlook another essential dimension of her artistry: her musical talent and stage presence. Her contributions to the first French dub of The Little Mermaid and her vocal work in The Jungle Book highlight a versatility that few performers achieve, further refined through vocal training with Sarah Sanders. She also reflected on her experiences in musical theater, particularly her role as Donna in Mamma Mia!, as well as her solo album Indiciblement, released in 2009—projects that reveal an artist constantly evolving and exploring new creative territories. The audience’s reaction to these insights was telling, as it underscored a growing appreciation among fans for the craft behind the voices they grew up with, transforming what could have been a nostalgic session into a genuine deep dive into performance art.

Alongside her, Maeva Méline represents a different yet equally significant generation of performers, one that bridges traditional dubbing with modern musical storytelling and transmedia franchises. Born in Paris in 1980, she first gained recognition in Mozart, l’opéra rock, where she portrayed Nannerl, before becoming one of the defining French voices of Disney’s contemporary era through her portrayal of Rapunzel in the 2010 animated feature. Her performance—both spoken and sung—left a lasting impression, anchoring her voice in the collective imagination of a new generation of viewers, further reinforced by her work in productions such as Brave, Ralph Breaks the Internet, and the expanded Rapunzel universe across series and short films. During the conference, she openly discussed her unconventional path, from early musical aspirations and a brief stint on Star Academy to stepping away from music before making a decisive comeback through Mozart, l’opéra rock, a journey that resonated strongly with the audience as a story of persistence and reinvention.

What made this panel particularly compelling was the natural chemistry between Claire Guyot and Maeva Méline, whose careers, while distinct, intersect through a shared dedication to vocal performance and emotional authenticity. One embodies a foundational era of dubbing deeply rooted in cinema and television, while the other reflects its evolution into a hybrid space where singing, animation, and global franchises coexist and expand the scope of the craft. This contrast allowed for insightful discussions on the evolution of dubbing techniques, the increasing importance of musical performance in animated storytelling, and the expectations of modern audiences who are more attentive than ever to vocal consistency and authenticity.

Beyond the panel itself, this event reaffirmed the Paris Manga & Sci-Fi Show as a cornerstone of pop culture gatherings in France, where fans are not merely spectators but active participants in a shared cultural experience. The meet-and-greet sessions, autograph signings, and informal exchanges extended the magic far beyond the stage, offering rare moments of connection between artists and audiences. And as often happens in such settings, it is not just the official program that leaves a lasting impression, but the spontaneous anecdotes, the laughter, and the realization that these voices—so familiar, yet rarely seen—continue to shape our emotional relationship with stories, long after the credits roll.

You can view our photos on our Flickr page

Photos and 4K video: Boris Colletier / Mulderville