For Amy Poehler, the journey of voicing Joy in the Inside Out movies has been nothing short of extraordinary. This experience has not only sparked meaningful discussions but also led to profound personal reflections.

Unlock the Emotional Impact of Amy Poehler's Inside Out Role

How the Role Transformed Amy Poehler's Life

Poehler, now 53, shares that her involvement in both the 2015 original animated film and the 2024 sequel, Inside Out 2, has truly and fundamentally changed her life. Playing a character like Joy has allowed her to have big conversations about how our emotions shape us and how we experience them. It's a journey that has opened her eyes to the significance of emotions in our lives.This role has also made her acutely aware of how the past decade has seen a shift in the resources and conversations needed regarding mental health. Referring to the organization's mission to end the stigma surrounding mental illness, she emphasizes the importance of learning from the young people present at the event.

Personal Connection to Riley and Puberty

Back in June, Poehler opened up to PEOPLE about her personal connection to Riley, the 13-year-old girl at the center of Inside Out 2. She recalled how she herself felt a mix of anxiety and joy at that age, wrapped up in a Boston accent with lots of shoulder pads and funky earrings. Just like Riley, her head was full and noisy as she went from being carefree to suddenly caring a lot about what others thought.Now, as a parent of two teenagers, Archie, 16, and Abel, 14, she is seeing the challenging coming-of-age experience through their eyes. It has made her understand the importance of letting go as a parent and allowing her children to have all their feelings to figure out who they are.

Intense Personal Epiphanies in the Voiceover Booth

In April, the Saturday Night Live alum opened up about the intense personal epiphanies she experienced while recording Joy's lines in the voiceover booth. She described it as a process of talking to her inner child, her as a parent, herself, and the future version of her. It's a deep exploration that requires going to a place within oneself.But she added that despite the challenges, it is really satisfying to delve into these emotional depths and bring Joy's character to life. This role has become a part of her life in ways she never expected, and it continues to have a profound impact on her.