“Holy Shit Snacks!” is the catchphrase of Archer’s Pam Poovey, a blonde bisexual bombshell who is making waves in pop-culture. When we got the chance to sit down with Amber Nash, the voice-over artist responsible for bringing the beloved character to life, we couldn’t help but think “Holy Shit Snacks” ourselves. In our interview with Amber, she tells us about her experience playing Pam throughout Archer’s 11 seasons and her new venture of acting on screen. We also got to speak to her about her role as a board member with Project Chimps, an organization that gives retired lab chimps a forever home on a secluded sanctuary. Bringing her passion to her work and philanthropic efforts, Amber Nash is a voice of wit and passion. Read our exclusive interview with Amber below.

Where are you based?
Atlanta

How did you get started in voice acting?
I was performing at an improv theatre when I was asked if I would do a few radio spots and voice over for commercials. Then I auditioned for Frisky Dingo on Adult Swim and was on the show for two seasons. A few of the Directors and writers went on to make Archer.

Archer just happens to be created and produced in Atlanta. How has the opportunity of being able to stay in your home state long-term shaped you? Would you say that you have a strong southern identity or attachment to the south?
It's great! I always felt like I had to leave Atlanta to have an acting career, but I just kept working here, which is great because I don't have to leave. Also, the industry blew up in Atlanta. It has been amazing and wonderful. I do have a strong attachment to the south. People may not know I'm southern as I lost my accent ages ago, but I do love being southern. It shapes who I am.

Your character Pam Poovey is direct, strong, and very comfortable with her bisexuality. What sort of impact do you think Pam has had on audiences and on pop-culture?
She has become a sex symbol, an example of another type of woman that is sexy. She is strong and unapologetic and doesn't care. You don't see a lot of examples of that in entertainment. She's amazing.

We love Pam as a character, and think it’s pretty on-point that she has been called the “real hero of Archer.” What about Pam’s character gives her this reputation?
I think it's because in the end if it all goes to hell, Pam can probably fix it, and deep down, she's the heart. She has love for all these guys and will do anything for them. She's so relatable and fallible. People love her.

Archer is known for playing with the line between dirty and smart television, which becomes even more negotiable since it’s animated. What has your experience been like in a show that pushes the boundaries?
It's amazing the stuff we get away with and it keeps you on your toes. I have never gotten bored — they always keep us guessing. I do appreciate that we earn our raunchiness with the intelligence of the show. Otherwise, we wouldn't have had the staying power that we do.

Do you have any memorable moments when you were surprised or caught off-guard by the nature of the writing?
I thought, "we can say that…" The line “masturbate until my fingers bleed” comes to mind.

Archer has made very fun and wild narrative changes in the past few seasons, like the arcs of “Dreamland” and “Danger Island.” We’ve gotten to see some changes to people’s characters to fit the new narrative settings. What’s been your favorite iterations of Pam in these more experimental seasons?
I loved Poovey from “Dreamland.” I loved the character was gender-neutral. I loved that all those women lived in Poovey's apartment and that there was a real emotional connection with all of them.

The fandom for Archer has grown tremendously and the show now has a very established “Con” presence. What has your experience been like going to national conventions as a voice actor?
It's so fun! I can blend in and go unnoticed. I can poke around and see the sights, but also get to do these massive panels with tons of fans. I love seeing all the cosplay. I love Pam cosplay, and the cosplayers are so talented. They put so much time and energy, and money into these incredible costumes. I also am blown away anytime someone shows me a Pam tattoo on their body!

Do you have a favorite Pam cosplay that you have seen at a convention?
Adam Hughes was my first man Pam. This was early on around season 2. I've never met him. He is a very well-known comic book artist, and he was cosplaying as Pam. It was amazing!

With COVID-19 restrictions over the past few months, many conventions have adapted to digital formats. In July many of Archer’s cast members and creators participated in ComicCon@Home for a digital panel that normally would have taken place at one of North America’s largest annual conventions, Comic-Con International: San Diego. What was like going digital?
It was different. The cool thing is that it allowed people that normally wouldn't be able to attend to get to be a part of it, and that's awesome.

Are you still recording during quarantine?
We finished recording season 11 right before the lockdown.

You and your husband are working on an indie film together, How to Ruin the Holidays, and you play the leading role. Can you tell us about transitioning from a recording both to being in front of a camera?
It's different muscles but so fun. I got my start in stage acting, which in itself is different but acting for camera is still fairly new to me so it is exhilarating. We have Colin Mochrie in the film also, playing my dad.

What is the current status of How to Ruin the Holidays?
We had to put everything on hold; we are hoping to be able to fundraise next spring and shoot next winter.

Jejune loves that you are able to volunteer with a few organizations as a way to give back to your community and causes you care about. We were particularly excited to hear that you volunteer to help retired lab chimps as a Board member at Project Chimps. Why is this important to you and what drew you to this organization?
It's a wonderful place. The chimps that have come to the sanctuary have spent their lives in research, being experimented on, it's heartbreaking, but now they live in this beautiful place and get to be chimps. When they get to the sanctuary, they have never been outside before, never walked on grass or climbed a tree, and they get to do that at Project Chimps.

Lab chimps were deemed unnecessary for biomedical research in 2013 and later lab testing on the species later became illegal, prompting an urgent need for chimp sanctuaries. Project Chimps’ sanctuary is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which seems like a great place to retire (especially for an endangered species). Can you tell us how the organization helped the lab chimps transition from the lab to the sanctuary?
Our sanctuary currently has 78 chimps, but over 100 are still waiting in a lab to get to us. We can't wait to get them all to their forever home. We have fundraising and building to do to get the sanctuary ready to accommodate all the chimps. We transport the chimps in family groups of ten and from the lab to the sanctuary. They spend a short time in quarantine and then start getting used to their new home, the sights, and smells, the fresh fruits and vegetables. Then they get to go outside for the first time; it is amazing to watch. They aren't all sure they want to go outside, but most of them come around. They live wonderful lives at Project Chimps just like they deserve, but there are still more chimps to save!

What have you been able to learn about retired laboratory chimps while serving as a board member? Do you ever get to engage with the animals?
I've learned so much. They are highly intelligent animals but also highly dangerous (so no physical interaction) but I've been able to see them exploring their habitat through viewing areas. They keep human contact to a minimum so they can live the life most natural for a chimp. Even though they were all born in captivity, they strive to make the chimps live as naturally as possible, given their circumstances.

We’ve also noticed that you are one of 40,000 entertainers on Cameo. What has your experience on the app been like?
It's a fun new way to interact with fans and make people happy. That is what it's all about and of course, it being for charity makes it all the better.

In addition to helping people send their “dumb hot friends” birthday messages, you are contributing your Cameo proceeds to The Southern Poverty Law Center. Can you tell us more about why you chose this organization?
Their mission statement says it all. The SPLC is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people.

How are you staying positive during shelter in place?
I have a wonderful husband. We are very lucky to have each other and our house and our animals. We try and stay productive and busy and healthy mentally and physically and make each other laugh!!

What is your motto in life?
Don't be an asshole. That goes for me and anyone I spend my time with.

Where can Jejune and our readers find you and your projects online?
Instagram: @ambercnash
Twitter: @ambercnash
projectchimps.org
dadsgarage.com

Photography Team:
Photographer: Yasmine Kateb
Hair: Matilde Campos
Makeup: Allison Noelle

Archer's Amber Nash - Playing a Blonde Bisexual Bombshell