Griffin grew up in Scarborough, Ontario.[2][3] Her mother was a teacher, and her father was an air traffic controller.[2][3] When she was eight, she attended Edgewood Junior Public School[a] and played the role of The Artful Dodger in her school play. Looking back at that period, Griffin said that she was more inspired by watching movies than theatre, especially concerning strong women, and cited her mom as a huge influence.[2] Griffin also attended David and Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute graduating in 1991.[4]
Career
Acting
Griffin got her break into acting when she was 15 when she participated in a play at the Ryerson Theatre and was noticed by an agent. She was booked for local commercials and television spots in Canada as well as television movie specials. After graduating high school, she switched agents and continued with her acting gigs.[1] When she was attending Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, she was offered a role in the television film "Up to Now" but it caused a conflict where she had to choose between acting or studying.[2]
Griffin's first major role in an animated series was Sailor Mars in Sailor Moon, which at the time she had not realized was going to be popular. She was recommended to audition by Rino Romano, who voiced Tuxedo Mask. She described the role with Serena as best friends who sometimes fight, but not really the bully persona that was shown. She would record about two to three episodes a week, and it was not difficult on her voice.[1] She likes that Mars is "fiercely loyal, strong, loves martial arts, sings... and the fact that she can summon fire and destroy evil, lol, Rei and I are very similar in character."[5]
In the animated TV series Braceface, Griffin voices Nina, a mean eighth-grader girl who gives the title character her moniker.[3] In the Moon Chase interview, Griffin said "I don't think I have one single thing in common with Nina, so it was fun playing that role. I guess in the end, I like playing badass kind of characters."[1]
In voicing Alex in Totally Spies!, Griffin used a higher vocal register than usual.[1][6] She was worried about nodules developing, and being recast when the series returned for season 6 following a hiatus, but was happy when she could return. She found the part to be really fun, easy to play, and liked that Alex was so lovely to animals.[6] She notes that about the only thing Alex and Raye (Sailor Mars) have in common is their ability to kick some ass.[1]
She also voiced the character Ruby in Max & Ruby and Mary of the Geniuses and Miles of the Vegans in Total Drama Presents: The Ridonculous Race.
In live-action acting, she starred alongside Rob Lowe as his love interest in Too Late to Say Goodbye. She also worked with Nicole Kidman[1] and Glenn Close.[2]
Music
Some of Griffin's influences in her music style include: Sarah McLachlan, Madonna, The Tragically Hip, as well as alternative music bands Hole, Foo Fighters, No Doubt, and Radiohead. She enjoys singing but realized she wasn't going to get a record deal by just that. She learned guitar and began writing songs.[2] Following one of the commercial voice-over jobs where she sang a jingle, she played some acoustic songs and her friend suggested she get her songs produced in an album. She was introduced to Michael Kulas of the band James.[1] Kulas was able to produce many of her acoustic songs so that they became more of a pop/rock album.[2] The album title Kiss Me Chaos was based on the Kiss Me, Kate musical, as she describes herself as being pretty strong and like "Kate the Shrew". It released in streaming service in February 2020.[1]
Personal life
Griffin is married to musician Michael Kulas. They have two children. Griffin enjoys martial arts films,[1] playing guitar, and playing/watching hockey.[2] She has a younger sister named Becky.[2]
