Kmart has been a staple in the Australian retail landscape thanks to its catchy adverts and promise of low prices.

Yet, there's more to these adverts than meets the eye—or rather, the ear.


The voice synonymous with Kmart's branding belongs to none other than Mahalia Brown.

The Melbourne-based voice actress has become a household sound, with her voice being broadcast in Kmart stores, on the radio, and television.

Her voice has been described as 'friendly', 'welcoming' and 'natural'—which caught the attention of Kmart's marketing team.


However, fans were in for a surprise when they heard Mahalia's true Australian accent, which is significantly stronger than her Kmart persona.

The revelation came about when Mahalia talked about her time in a live studio audience in New York.

During an exchange with a stand-up comedian, she used her authentic Aussie accent, complete with everyday slang like 'sunnies' and 'avo'.

When she slipped into her Kmart voice—with the tagline' Kmart, low prices for life'— the audience immediately connected her with the iconic adverts.


This twist left Kmart shoppers stunned and took to social media to express their disbelief.

Comments ranged from playful envy of her unique claim to fame to admiration for the comforting quality of her voice.

The contrast between her real-life accent and her Kmart voice showcases Mahalia's versatility and skill as a voice actress.

Mahalia became 'the voice of Kmart' after the retailer felt drawn to her 'relaxed, smiley sound'.

Despite not being recognised in public, Mahalia could sometimes hear herself while shopping in Kmart.

The surreal experience represented one of Mahalia's voice-acting dreams coming to life.


Beyond Kmart, Mahalia has lent her voice to other prominent brands, including Michael Hill, NAB, Just Jeans, and Shell.

With over 15 years of industry experience, she has honed her ability to adapt her voice to different brands and briefs.

In rare cases when scripts are given at the last minute, Mahalia took them as challenges to showcase her professionalism and talent.

Watch one of Mahalia's behind-the-scenes content here:

She also appeared in television shows such as Neighbours, Winners and Losers, and Erinsborough High.

Mahalia advised those who want to pursue a career in voice acting to be thick-skinned and passionate, as the road to success may get unpredictable and sometimes unforgiving.
Next time you hear that familiar slogan, you'll know there's more to it than just low prices—it's the sound of someone living their dream.

Have you heard of Mahalia's Kmart adverts in your recent shopping trips? Share your thoughts about it with us in the comments below!