Kelly 🫰🏻🎩

30 years of Tomb Raider. Who’dathunkit? 🦖🔫🔫🏃🏻‍♀️ Not me.  Not Core Design. Not Eidos either. When I was first asked to record Lara’s voice for the Tomb Raider game, not only did I have no idea she’d still be a global phenomenon three decades later, but neither did the creators. The voice-over session, in a little studio in Soho, took five hours. A handful of lines, hours spent moaning and groaning in to a microphone, falling, fighting, ‘dying’ and then I walked back out on to the London streets and promptly forgot about it, just another gig. But all these years later, Lara Croft is incredibly dear to my heart. What a journey. I’m deeply honoured and proud to have played even a small part in the legacy of Tomb Raider as the original voice of Lara in the very first game and to have my soundbites in games 2 and 3. Over the years, I’ve been unbelievably moved by the stories people have shared, how playing the game helped them express themselves, heal, or connect with someone they loved. Gamers tell me my voice is wrapped up in their memories of playing Tomb Raider with someone who’s no longer here and that’s such a special gift. It’s something I cherish and will never take for granted. Thirty years on and somehow Lara just keeps on giving. Through her, I’ve had the chance to travel, meet incredible people, host live events, be part of Tomb Raider publications and tv shows, appear at Comic Cons and even present an award at the prestigious BAFTAs when Lara was voted the most iconic video game character of all time, a life goal I didnt even know I had. From introducing the Philharmonic Orchestra at Tomb Raider concerts, to being invited on podcasts, having my own name on a Trivial Pursuit question, hearing how Lara inspired people across generations, it’s been a deep privilege to be part of something so global, so enduring and special to people. Lara and Tomb Raider will always hold a very, very special place in my heart. So thank you Lara Croft, you bloody icon you!! My never-ending, heartfelt gratitude to Chris Moorhead, Sarah Haines and Philip Brimley for entrusting me with the profound honour of filming at the breathtaking Hatfield House, forever immortalised as Croft Manor. What an extraordinary privilege.  Thanks to Aarons Aerials for capturing a full circle moment for me by drone @DJIGlobal @_HatfieldPark_ Dress: Helene Hen Jacket: @emydawn Jacket design @ZAKBRETHERTON Boots: Daniels Boots art by Nina Gee