Experience Serenity with Jimmy Stewart's Soothing Narrations on the Calm App
Published on: March 10, 2024
Calm, the renowned sleep and meditation app, has launched a heartwarming new bedtime story titled 'It's a Wonderful Sleep Story,' narrated by an AI-generated voice of the legendary Hollywood actor Jimmy Stewart. This innovative project, which premieres on December 5, brings Stewart's iconic voice back to life, offering a unique experience to its subscribers.
The project, created using AI voice-cloning technology, has received the consent of Stewart’s family and his estate, managed by CMG Worldwide. The AI voice captures the essence of Stewart, famous for his roles in classics like 'It’s a Wonderful Life,' 'Vertigo,' and 'Rear Window.' The intro of the story, as narrated by the AI-generated voice, sets a soothing tone for the bedtime story, reflecting Stewart's well-known calming presence.
Kelly Stewart Harcourt, one of Stewart’s daughters, expressed excitement about the project. She remarked on the amazing capabilities of technology in preserving her father's legacy, especially in contributing to people's restful sleep during the holiday season.
The story was developed in collaboration with Respeecher, an AI voice-cloning startup known for recreating voices for characters like Luke Skywalker in 'The Mandalorian' and Darth Vader in 'Obi-Wan Kenobi.' The process involved using a voice actor to mimic Stewart’s speech style, with Respeecher's technology then generating the final AI voice.
While this innovative approach has been welcomed by Stewart's family and estate, AI-generated voice recreations have sparked debate over their authenticity and potential for exploitation. For instance, Warner Music Group's animated biopic of Edith Piaf using AI technology has faced criticism on social media for similar concerns.
Calm's Sleep Story series has been successful, featuring narrations by celebrities like Jennifer Garner, LeBron James, and Matthew McConaughey. The addition of Jimmy Stewart's AI-generated voice to this lineup marks a significant intersection of technology and legacy in storytelling.