Summer is up and coming! With warmer temperatures, incoming Prides, an increase of pool parties also comes festival season. With Kirbiicon already behind us, we now have OtakuFest on May 17–19 to look forward to.

OtakuFest, which is held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, is a celebration of Nerd & Geek culture which includes animation (both foreign and domestic, all ages and adult themed), cosplay, gaming (video and tabletop), comics, music, events, panels, and other celebrations of geek culture.

One of the shows being highlighted is A24’s “Hazbin Hotel” created by Vivienne Medrano. A24 you might recognize as the production house that brought us the wildly successful “Everything, Everywhere, All At Once” and even the sillier “Dicks: The Musical.” This adult themed, animated, musical series focuses on Charlie Morningstar, daughter of Lucifer & Lillith, in her attempts to redeem and rehabilitate the sinners of Hell. One of those sinners is the porn demon Angel Dust, voiced by bisexual Broward up-and-comer Blake Roman. OutSFL had a chance to sit down with Roman to discuss his role in “Hazbin Hotel” its reception, and the transformation to go from mild-mannered Blake to ostentatious, free-spirit Angel Dust. 

What’s been your family’s reception to this project, especially the more risqué lines?

It’s been great! My immediate family loves it. My extended family had less appreciation for it.

Did your thoughts change on doing voice over work after your experience with Hazbin?

I’d love to do voice over work again! I’ve been a big fan ever since I was younger.

Is there anyone you were especially interested in meeting, cast-wise?

I grew up playing video games. Getting to meet Keith David, who voiced the Arbiter in Halo was definitely a highlight of the premier. 

Speaking of the premier, what was your favorite bit of fan art you’ve seen?

At the premier, someone had drawn all the characters in the cast’s clothes that we wore for that night. It was great! Since then, there’s just been such an outpouring of fanart that it’s hard to qualify which I like best.

You had some rough scenes to act out, specifically ones involving SA. How will that influence your performance going forward?

I’m just trying to follow the character’s arc, rather than be in his head about it.

Lastly, are you looking forward to doing anything while you’re in South Florida? Have you been here before?

I’ve never been to South Florida before! The things I’m most looking forward to are being on the beach, drinking a blended drink, and soaking in some sun.

Thank you very much for your time, and I look forward to seeing you at OtakuFest!

Thank you as well.

Photo: Blake Roman at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2024. Credit: Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, Wikimedia Commons.