Michael Caine Licenses Voice To ElevenLabs

Last week, ElevenLabs announced that Michael Caine has licensed his Cockney voice for use on its ElevenReader app and Iconic Marketplace. The move monetizes Caine’s enregistered accent—tied to East London working-class identity—and gives the actor control and compensation while preventing unauthorized clones. Experts warn licensing commodifies social meaning and raises ethical risks, including user attachment and undue authority conveyed by celebrity voices.