Shaq and Melissa McCarthy Added to Alexa's Voice Roster

After the success of the Samuel L. Jackson celebrity voice option, Amazon is adding Melissa McCarthy and Shaquille O’Neal options at $4.99 each.

Amazon has rolled out some new features for Alexa, including two new optional celebrity personalities. It's now possible (for one $5 fee each) for you to change Alexa's voice to Shaq or Melissa McCarthy, in addition to the previously available Samuel L. Jackson.

According to Amazon, Jackson's celebrity personality became Amazon.com's top selling digital purchase the day it was released, so adding more celebrity options was a likely move.

Alexa users also have the choice of a new non-celebrity voice option if they want a change, but aren't interested in any of the famous voices. Switching to the new one is a simple matter of saying "Alexa, change your voice."

A new wake word, "Ziggy," has also been introduced and can be used instead of previous words "Alexa," "Computer," "Echo," or "Amazon." You can change Alexa's wake word, by saying, "Alexa, change your wake word."

Both celebrities are excited to lend their voices to Alexa. O'Neal said, "Shaq is in the house to make your speakers bounce. Boomshakalaka!" in the official Amazon announcement.

"It’s been such a fun experience working on this project," said McCarthy, "I hope you all enjoy all my dad jokes! Fun fact—if you hear a slide whistle, it’s my personal one that I brought with me to the recording studio!"

If you're curious about the new voice options but aren't sure about paying upfront, you can listen to voice clips of both Melissa McCarthy and Shaquille O’Neal on the official Alexa YouTube channel.