Matthew McConaughey uses AI to launch Spanish version of his voice

Actor Matthew McConaughey takes the field ahead of the Austin FC MLS playoff match against LAFC at Q2 Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Matthew McConaughey’s weekly pep-talk newsletter is officially bilingual — and he didn’t even have to step back into the recording booth to make it happen.

The Austin actor teamed up with AI audio company ElevenLabs to launch a Spanish-language audio version of “Lyrics of Livin’,” using a cloned version of his voice to narrate each edition. The technology translates his words and recreates his trademark tone, drawl and pacing in Spanish. A sign-up link for the Spanish edition is already live on the newsletter’s website.

McConaughey has been working with ElevenLabs since its early days and recently invested in the company, which says its goal is to make any voice available in any language.

“I launched my newsletter, ‘Lyrics of Livin’,’ as a way to share stories and ideas in my own voice with those who want to listen. Now, thanks to ElevenLabs, ‘Lyrics of Livin’’ is expanding with a Spanish language edition, allowing us to reach and connect with even more people,” McConaughey said in a statement.

The world of ‘Lyrics of Livin’

McConaughey introduced “Lyrics of Livin’” at the start of the year as a weekly hit of stories and advice — part porch talk, part philosophy class where he shares inspirational messages. New editions drop every Friday at 5 p.m. Eastern with an English audio version he records himself – and now an AI Spanish version.

“It can give a little weekend rhyme to your work week of reason,” he said when he launched it. “Think of it as a ‘Jiminy Cricket’ with a beer.”

The newsletter builds on the tone of “Greenlights,” his bestselling 2020 memoir and “Just Because,” his 2023 children’s book.

What is ElevenLabs?

ElevenLabs is the New York-based AI audio company behind the translation magic. Its tools clone voices, preserve personality and convert speech across more than 70 languages. The company has quickly become a major player in the AI voice world — and McConaughey’s not the only big name using it.

ElevenLabs recently launched its Iconic Voice Marketplace, which licenses AI versions of well-known voices for creative projects that companies can use. Michael Caine is another new partner, introduced through an AI-narrated message that sounded unmistakably like him:

“Each new advancement in technology is met with caution — and rightly so… Technology is just the medium. This is humanity — amplified.”

Other voices available through the marketplace include Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, John Wayne, Laurence Olivier, Maya Angelou, Babe Ruth and Alan Turing.

ElevenLabs also highlighted its Veterans Day work through Lt. Col. Thomas Brittingham, an Air Force pilot and father with ALS who lost his natural voice. Through the company’s Impact Program, engineers rebuilt his voice using family recordings so he could speak again in the tone his wife and sons remember, showing how the technology can restore not just speech but connection.

McConaughey’s voice isn’t part of that lineup — at least not for hire. Right now, it’s reserved for “Lyrics of Livin’,” in English and now in Spanish, giving his Friday notes a new reach without losing the “alright, alright, alright” charm.

“He wasn’t just excited by the tech – he understood what we’re aiming to achieve creatively. We’re so grateful for his continued insight and support, especially as we expand our work in the creative space,” Mati Staniszewski, CEO and Co-Founder of ElevenLabs wrote about McConaughey.