In the vast world of Genshin Impact, the voices of the characters resonate like Shakespearean actors on a grand stage. But much like the lives of celebrities, the actions of these voice actors are closely observed by the public eye, and any hint of wrongdoing is met with swift condemnation. Elliot Gindi, the English voice actor for the character Tighnari, found himself under intense scrutiny when allegations of sexual abuse, particularly involving minors, were leveled against him. The victims bravely stepped forward, sharing their harrowing experiences with moderators of Gindi’s Discord channel. Their testimonies have been meticulously chronicled on a website created by Twitter user @FretCore.
The accusations against Gindi paint a chilling picture of him allegedly engaging in inappropriate behavior with minors, including using threats of self-harm and suicide to silence them and perpetuate his misconduct. In a public apology on Twitter, Gindi admitted to interacting with underage individuals in what he described as “cringy sex talk.” However, even after this admission, the internet sleuths uncovered what is believed to be his secret account, through which he continued to target vulnerable individuals. It is reported that he even used the names of his colleagues to ensnare unsuspecting fans, tarnishing the reputation of individuals like Alejandro Saab, the voice actor for Cyno, who had no part in Gindi’s reprehensible actions. The Genshin Impact community has ardently denounced Elliot Gindi for his grooming and sexual harassment of individuals as young as 12.
In light of these disturbing events, HoYoverse made the somber announcement that Elliot Gindi has been relieved of his role as the voice actor for Tighnari due to a breach of contract. The game will embark on the process of recasting the English voice for Sumeru’s Forest Watcher and re-recording the lines Gindi had previously voiced. This incident adds to a growing list of scandals that have rocked the Genshin Impact voice-acting realm, reminiscent of the dramatic twists and turns in a Shakespearean tragedy. Similarly, in 2021, Oz’s Chinese voice actor, Li Yuantao, was removed from his role following revelations of adultery.
As the Genshin Impact community grapples with the fallout of this traumatic episode, the game’s creators have pledged to forge ahead by casting new voices and ensuring the integrity of the game remains intact. The echoes of these scandals reverberate through the digital landscape, underscoring the importance of integrity and accountability in the world of voice acting. Just as Shakespeare’s plays unfold with unexpected revelations and moral dilemmas, the drama surrounding Genshin Impact’s voice actors reminds us that even in virtual realms, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching consequences.