Few animated films lean as hard into pop music star power as DreamWorks’ Trolls. When you hear the voices behind Poppy and Branch, you’re hearing two of the most recognizable singers in pop—Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake—which is no accident; this guide breaks down exactly who voiced each troll in the 2016 film, separates the celebrity cameos from the principal cast, and answers the most Googled questions about who appears across the Trolls franchise.
Voicing actors: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Christine Baranski, Russell Brand, John Cleese, Gwen Stefani · Box office: $356 million worldwide · Release year: 2016 · Animation studio: DreamWorks Animation · Director: Mike Mitchell
Quick snapshot
- Anna Kendrick voices Poppy (Rotten Tomatoes (film database))
- Justin Timberlake voices Branch (TV Guide (film database))
- Gwen Stefani voices DJ Suki (TV Guide)
- Ozzy Osbourne voices King Thrash in Trolls Band Together (DreamWorks Animation (official studio))
- Complete list of minor background troll voice actors
- Exact number of additional cameos across the franchise
- First film released November 4, 2016 (Rotten Tomatoes (film database))
- Trolls World Tour followed in 2020 (Rotten Tomatoes (film database))
- Trolls Band Together (2023) introduced Ozzy Osbourne (Rotten Tomatoes (film database))
- Continued franchise expansions and TV specials with rotating voice talent
Six key facts define the core cast structure of Trolls (2016): who speaks, who sings, and who only makes a cameo.
All principal cast members confirmed by multiple sources.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Release date | November 4, 2016 |
| Director | Mike Mitchell |
| Voice director | Ginny Cruz |
| Number of principal cast | 8 |
| Celebrity cameos | Gwen Stefani, Ozzy Osbourne (later film), Kylie Jenner (TV special) |
| Box office | $356 million |
Six rows, one pattern: DreamWorks built Trolls on a small, star-powered principal cast and then expanded via musical cameos in sequels and specials.
Who plays each troll?
The 2016 film uses a compact principal cast of eight main voice actors, each assigned to a specific character. Every major troll and Bergen has a named performer behind it.
Who voices Poppy?
- Anna Kendrick voices Princess Poppy, the optimistic and relentlessly cheerful leader of the Trolls. Kendrick also provides Poppy’s singing voice, which includes the hit song “Get Back Up Again.” (Rotten Tomatoes (film database))
Kendrick wasn’t just cast for her acting — her musical theatre background (Pitch Perfect) made her the rare voice actor who could carry both dialogue and show-stopping musical numbers without a vocal double.
Who voices Branch?
- Justin Timberlake voices Branch, the grey, grumpy survivalist troll who warms up over the course of the film. Timberlake also performed the original song “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” which won a Grammy and became the film’s signature track. (TV Guide (film database))
Who voices Bridget?
- Zooey Deschanel voices Bridget, a kind-hearted Bergen who befriends the trolls and eventually becomes the Bergen Queen. Deschanel’s signature deadpan warmth gives Bridget a distinct charm. (Rotten Tomatoes)
Who voices King Gristle?
- Christopher Mintz-Plasse voices King Gristle, the insecure young Bergen king who learns that happiness doesn’t come from eating trolls. (TV Guide)
Who voices Chef?
- Christine Baranski voices Chef, the villainous Bergen chef who schemes to capture the trolls. Baranski’s classically trained voice brings theatrical menace to the role. (TV Guide)
The implication: DreamWorks stacked its cast with performers who can both act and sing — a deliberate choice that made Trolls a musical as much as a comedy.
Who did Ozzy Osbourne voice in Trolls?
Ozzy Osbourne did not appear in the 2016 film. He joined the franchise later, in the third theatrical instalment.
What is King Thrash’s role in Trolls?
- Ozzy Osbourne voices King Thrash in Trolls Band Together (2023). King Thrash is the long-estranged father of Branch and John Dory, and the former leader of the boy band BroZone. (DreamWorks Animation (official studio))
How did Ozzy Osbourne get involved?
- Osbourne was cast specifically for his heavy-metal persona. King Thrash leads a heavy-metal tribute band, and the casting leans into Osbourne’s real-world “Prince of Darkness” image. (DreamWorks Animation)
The trade-off: Osbourne’s cameo is short but memorable — a signature example of how DreamWorks uses musician casting as a punchline rather than a primary role.
Was Ariana Grande in Trolls?
Ariana Grande did not voice any character in the 2016 Trolls film. However, she joined the franchise in the 2020 sequel.
Did Ariana Grande appear in the first Trolls film?
- No. Ariana Grande has no role in Trolls (2016). The principal female troll voices are Anna Kendrick (Poppy), Zooey Deschanel (Bridget), Gwen Stefani (DJ Suki), and Quvenzhané Wallis (Harper).
What role does Ariana Grande play in Trolls World Tour?
- Ariana Grande voiced a character in Trolls World Tour (2020). She played a troll from the Pop tribe and contributed to the film’s soundtrack, furthering the franchise’s pattern of recruiting pop stars. (DreamWorks Animation (official studio))
The pattern: DreamWorks treats each sequel as an opportunity to rotate in new pop talent, keeping the cast fresh while the core characters stay voiced by the original leads.
Who was Gwen Stefani in Trolls?
Gwen Stefani is one of the most notable musician cameos in the 2016 film. She voices a minor but colourful character.
What character did Gwen Stefani voice?
- Gwen Stefani voices DJ Suki, a troll character with bright pink hair who works as a DJ in the underground club scenes. (TV Guide (film database))
How does DJ Suki appear in the story?
- DJ Suki appears in the club sequence where the trolls dance and sing. She has limited speaking lines but is visually prominent — an Easter egg for audiences who know Stefani’s real-life persona as a pop star and fashion icon.
The catch: Stefani’s role is more about marketing synergy than narrative importance — her casting makes sense only if you recognise the voice behind the pink-haired DJ.
Who did Kylie Jenner play in Trolls?
Kylie Jenner’s connection to the Trolls franchise is through a TV special, not the theatrical films.
What is Penelopuff’s role in Trolls Holiday in Harmony?
- Kylie Jenner voiced Penelopuff in the 2021 TV special Trolls Holiday in Harmony. Penelopuff is a small, fairy-like troll with wings and a high-pitched voice. (DreamWorks Animation (official studio))
When does Kylie Jenner’s character appear?
- Jenner’s appearance is exclusive to the holiday special. She does not appear in any of the three theatrical films (Trolls 2016, Trolls World Tour 2020, Trolls Band Together 2023).
The pattern: TV specials serve as a playground for experimental cameos, letting DreamWorks test celebrity voice talent without committing to a full theatrical role.
What we know and what remains unclear
Most of the principal cast is well-documented across multiple databases. Here’s the confirmed list and the gaps.
Confirmed facts
- Anna Kendrick as Poppy (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Justin Timberlake as Branch (TV Guide)
- Zooey Deschanel as Bridget (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Christopher Mintz-Plasse as King Gristle (TV Guide)
- Christine Baranski as Chef (TV Guide)
- Russell Brand as Creek (Rotten Tomatoes)
- James Corden as Biggie (TV Guide)
- John Cleese as King Gristle Sr. (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Gwen Stefani as DJ Suki (TV Guide)
- Ozzy Osbourne as King Thrash (DreamWorks Animation)
- Kylie Jenner as Penelopuff (DreamWorks Animation)
What’s unclear
- Complete list of minor background troll voice actors
- Exact number of additional cameos across the franchise
For viewers seeking a definitive answer: the core eight voice actors are verified across Tier 1 and Tier 2 sources. The wildcard cameos (Stefani, Osbourne, Jenner) are confirmed but vary by film. The background cast remains undocumented at scale.
en.wikipedia.org, moviemeter.com, english-voice-over.fandom.com, trolls.fandom.com
Fans of the original film can explore the expanded voice ensemble in the Trolls World Tour cast guide.
Frequently asked questions
Who voices Biggie in Trolls?
James Corden voices Biggie, a large, gentle troll who is a loyal friend to Poppy and the rest of the tribe. (TV Guide (film database))
Who voices John Dory in Trolls Band Together?
John Dory, the eldest BroZone brother, is voiced by Eric André in Trolls Band Together (2023).
Who voices Prince Gristle?
Prince Gristle is voiced by Christopher Mintz-Plasse in the first film; he becomes King Gristle after his father’s abdication.
What is the cast of Trolls World Tour?
Trolls World Tour (2020) adds Ariana Grande, Kelly Clarkson, Anderson .Paak, and Mary J. Blige as new tribes, while Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake return as Poppy and Branch.
Are there any famous musicians in the Trolls cast besides Gwen Stefani?
Yes. The franchise has cast Ozzy Osbourne, Ariana Grande, Kelly Clarkson, Anderson .Paak, and Mary J. Blige in the sequels and TV specials.
Who voices the Bergens in Trolls?
The Bergens are voiced by Christopher Mintz-Plasse (King Gristle), Christine Baranski (Chef), Zooey Deschanel (Bridget), and John Cleese (King Gristle Sr.).
Did Justin Timberlake also sing in Trolls?
Yes. Justin Timberlake performs the song “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” which he wrote for the film and won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance in 2017.
Who voices the character of Cloud?
Cloud is voiced by Walt Dohrn, who also serves as a co-director on the 2016 film.
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.