Dearest Cate,
Okay, I’ll be honest. Before you, my knowledge of American football was limited to knowing it involved a lot of yelling, questionable body painting, and elaborate tailgating rituals.
Cate Blanchett Sound-Alike?!
Then, you, the magnificent Cate Blanchett, somehow became intertwined with my destiny. Okay, not my destiny in the grand, operatic sense, but my destiny as it pertains to the Minnesota Vikings.
See, I recently had the, shall we say, intense honor of narrating the Vikings’ pre-game video for the 2024-2025 season. Yes, the pre-game video, which won one of many CLIO Awards!
The one where I channel my inner elven queen, and narrate a Norse mythology-infused story designed to send chills across the stadium.. “The Warrior is steadfast…but fate can be cunning. Fate calls out to the Viking warrior: ‘You cannot withstand this storm.’ And the warrior whispers back: ‘I am the storm!’” Think of it: 73,000 screaming fans, lights flashing, music pumping, simulated snow swirling (it’s a whole thing), all leading up to the Vikings charging onto the field. (It’s all very dramatic, see?!)
Now, I’m not saying you directly handed me the script. I’m not suggesting you whispered the secrets of the “Skol” (that’s “Cheers!” in Viking-ese) chant into my ear as I slept. But, Cate, the vibe. The sheer, unadulterated wisdom, power, and ethereal vibe you radiate permeated the universe and landed squarely in my recording booth. And apparently, the Vikings’ production team agrees! I read in the Minnesota Star Tribune they searched for a voice artist who sounded like you – specifically, your Galadriel voice – to be the Minnesota Vikings pre-game narrator! And guess what? They found her. In me. Debbie Irwin! This is insane!
Channeling My Inner Cate Blanchett Voice
And my voice? Well, let’s just say I channeled my inner Cate Blanchett, my inner Galadriel, my inner…well, all of the above! And I nailed it. The article even mentions how the team went big, throwing out names like Anthony Hopkins, Josh Brolin, and you to narrate the intro! Maybe you were busy or a wee bit out of their budget range?
And the best part? My kids were there! The article mentions a voice artist bringing their family to a game – that was us! They were stunned (and I was emotional) hearing my voice booming through the stadium filled with 73,000 fans. Talk about a surreal moment!
So, thank you, Cate. Thank you for indirectly and possibly unconsciously, guiding me to my destiny as the Norse muse to the Viking warriors (at least for one season). Thank you for proving you can be both a goddess of the silver screen and a devotee of the horned helmet. And thank you for inspiring the Vikings to seek out your vocal twin. Fate and the Minnesota Vikings have a new ardent fan. Yours truly.
Now, could you explain the offside rule to me…and maybe some other things, like end-zones, first downs, and how exactly you “move the chains”?!
With utmost admiration, gratitude, and a very enthusiastic SKOL,
Debbie Irwin (aka, your Cate Blanchett Sound-Alike)
Check Out The Full Clio Award-Winning Game-day Showtime Production (My part starts around 3:22 in the video.)
The team had an amazing season, full of thrilling victories and nail-biting moments. While it’s sad the Vikings didn’t make it to the Super Bowl (I had my bags packed!), I’m so proud to have been a part of the ride.
Here’s the list of Clio Awards!
* Clio Sports Gold in two game-day experience categories: Pregame (that’s where you’ll hear my voice) and Overall End to End
* Clio Sports Silver in two other categories: Use of Lighting and Use of Music/Sound in recognition of commitment to innovation and excellence in sports marketing.
* The Vikings were also named the 2024 Clio Sports “Team of the Year” for their creativity and execution of developing an immersive environment for NFL fans.