With each iteration, her voice deepens.
The behavior might strike some people as bizarre, even sociopathic.
Is she faking it?
It’s free, every week, in your inbox.
However, it could have been easily edited.
Only a clinician like alaryngologistcan make a voice-related medical diagnosis.
During this interview with Elizabeth Holmes, commenters highlight a vocal switch between the 1:28 and 2:08 marks.
Hormonesdirectly impactthe voice, including pitch and the perception of roughness or hoarseness.
Womens voices tend todecrease in pitch range during menopause.
There are also severalvoice disordersthat impact pitch range.
If she did it … how?
There are all sorts of reasons people seek voice therapy or coaching to address vocal insecurities.
There are also wonderful resources available forgender-affirming voicesupport for transgender people.
So what is the physiological process at play when someone intentionally lowers their voice.
Imagine decreasing tension on a rubber band.
Holmes might adjust her resonance by consciously lowering the larynx.
Doing so creates a longer space above the larynx, which boosts thedeeper, darker tonesin the voice.
Think of Lina Lamont, the character from Singin in the Rain memorably played by Jean Hagen.
Her high, piercing voice became a source of consistent laughs.
Might sexist attitudes about womens voices causewomen in leadership rolesto feel pressured to adjust their pitch range down?
This much-maligned vocal feature is at one end of the pitch spectrum.
If it were, might thesame vocal qualitiesbe perceived as positive traits befitting a capable, serious-minded leader?
Elizabeth Holmes undoubtedly lacks the practical skills and moral compass to be a great leader.
