You may know JP Karliak as the voice behind Morph in X-Men ‘97 or as the evil wizard duo Gargamel and Razamel in the upcoming Smurfs movie, but trust us — this talented powerhouse is doing way more than bringing iconic characters to life. From founding Queer Vox to uplift LGBTQIA+ voice talent, to co-founding NerdsVote to get fans politically activated, JP is as passionate off-screen as he is behind the mic. In our exclusive Q&A, he talks queer representation, Lotto dreams and which Smurf would make the best drag queen (spoiler: we’d tip her).
He Said Dallas: You’re voicing not one, but two evil wizard brothers—Gargamel and Razamel. Were there any sibling rivalries in your real life that you channeled for this performance? Or do these two have a totally different kind of brotherly beef?
JP Karliak: So as an adopted kid who met his birth family later in life, I simultaneously have only-child syndrome, as well as two amazing sisters. I think I put both parts into these roles: Razamel has major only-child energy, while Gargamel just desperately wants his brother to think he’s cool.
You also voice Morph in X-Men ‘97, the first non-binary lead character in a superhero animated series. You’re literally helping shape LGBTQ+ representation in pop culture. What’s a message you hope queer fans take away from your work?
I hope, especially at this moment in time, that Morph gives LGBTQIA+ folks some hope that we matter and won’t be erased. Though we never address it in the show other than with Morph’s pronouns, their mere existenc — subtly and beautifully coded with authentic queerness in their story, voice, and design — has made fans feel so seen, and it’s incredibly rewarding when they share that with me. Additionally, for all the cis/straight fans that root for Morph, I hope they remember how cool they found the nonbinary supe the next time their friends or family or coworkers or lawmakers decide to make a cheap joke or fascist law at our expense.
You founded Queer Vox to uplift LGBTQIA+ voice talent and co-founded NerdsVote to get fans engaged politically. What’s been the most rewarding moment from either of those projects that reminded you why this work matters?
I think with Queer Vox, it’s seeing someone who has continually felt ostracized find community and belonging. I love it when they realize that an art form they thought maybe had no place for them absolutely does, and any lack of opportunity has less to do with them and more to do with an endemic lack of imagination from many industry execs.
As for NerdsVote? This is weird, but I appreciate NerdsVote the most when we lose. When you get knocked down, knowing you left it all on the table to get folks involved does feel better than having done nothing. And to be clear, NerdsVote is nonpartisan, and we’ll encourage any nerd to register and vote, no matter their beliefs or party affiliation. But Courtenay (my co-founder) and I are pretty progressive ourselves, so to see the rise of such a hateful regime in this country is a real kick in the teeth. But with NerdsVote, we meet so many empathetic folks who value diversity, equal rights, a multicultural workforce and economic freedom. I have many nuanced and complex conversations that overall give me hope that we’re not so far away from turning the tide.
Gargamel has spent years obsessing over something he just can’t seem to get. In your own life—whether it’s in love, career or something totally ridiculous—what’s one thing that has always felt just out of reach for you?
Oh, it’s definitely in the totally ridiculous camp. Confession time: I play the Lotto. Spoiler: I haven’t won yet. I play only when it’s over $500 million, and definitely when it’s over $1 billion. The reason isn’t because I want 20 mansions each with 20 golden toilets. It’s because money at that level isn’t just life-changing, it can be country-changing. I think of it like the Infinity Gauntlet. And though I don’t know if I’m the RIGHT person to have that power, I can think of plenty of folks who are the WRONG people to have it. To me, billionaires are gross, but that’s not stopping the lottery from making new ones every year. So I want to win it, and then sink all but a fraction of it into a foundation that offers grants and mutual aid to underserved communities. The rest I’d use for family, creative projects and a personal chef, cause my eating habits are trash.
Let’s turn the tables—if you had a group of tiny, devoted followers catering to your every whim, what’s the first thing you’d have them do for you… and would you at least make them wear something cute while doing it?
As someone who loves sweaters from Talbots, I don’t police fashion choices, they can wear what they want. But what would I have my little adoring flock do? Probably a lot of… well… what John Lewis would have called “good trouble.” Or ya know… “be gay, do (socially beneficial) crime.”
Dallas is home to some legendary drag performers—if The Smurfs were getting a full-on drag makeover, which Smurf would make the best queen, and what would their drag name be?
I guess the obvious answer is Vanity, but I think Hefty as a very Kameron Michaels-esque muscle queen would be very cool. She’d be Dumbellina Colby. I also love a nerdy queen, so Brainy could be Bea Spectacles Davenport. As for me? I’d be GAGamela Paige Brooks.
Catch JP as both Gargamel and Razamel when The Smurfs hits theaters on July 18.
