Caitlin Sanchez
Encyclopedia
Caitlin Sanchez is an American actress, best known for the voice of the title character Dora in the Nickelodeon
animated series for children Dora the Explorer
.
to Cuban American
parents. , Caitlin was being home schooled, and is a resident of Fairview
, in Bergen County, New Jersey
.
She is a jazz
fan who has played the piano since she was five and enjoys listening to the music of John Coltrane
and Thelonious Monk
and vocalists Ella Fitzgerald
and Billie Holiday
. When NPR's Siegel indicated that it was unusual for someone her age to be a fan of Thelonious Monk, Caitlin responded that "He has this really unique style. He kind of hits the piano really hard. And I love his offbeats. Sometimes he goes on-beat; sometimes he goes off. He's full of surprises."
Interviewed on National Public Radio's All Things Considered
, Sanchez told host Robert Siegel
that the show first aired when she was four-years old and that she had grown up watching the program. She recounted having a Dora-themed bedroom, curtains and backpack when she was younger.
Sanchez's other TV work includes guest-starring as Lupe Rojas in an episode of Law & Order: SVU, ("Uncle" 2006) and appearing as Celia, the daughter of Carlos Ponce
's character, on Lipstick Jungle
. Her film work includes the film Phoebe in Wonderland
.
Sanchez performed the National Anthem for a New Jersey Nets
game on November 21, 2009.
and subsidiary MTV Networks
for suit claiming that they had duped her into signing a "bizarre, impenetrable, unconscionable" contract, in which she states she was not adequately compensated for merchandising, re-runs, promotional work and recordings (including overtime) for her work on Dora the Explorer. The complaint states that Sanchez was only paid $40 per day for travel (which Nickelodeon contends was for incidental expenses), and worked more than 100 Dora the Explorer promotional events without pay. In a statement, Nickelodeon said that "[Sanchez] was well-compensated for her work and for personal appearances." The complaint also states that Sanchez and her parents were not given enough time to seek a lawyer's advice on her contract with Dora the Explorer and were “pressured to sign within a half-hour of first seeing” the contract. Sanchez claims that Nickelodeon representatives pressured her into signing a contract that paid her $5,000 per episode. Nickelodeon responded to the suit stating that "the claims being made are baseless. Unfortunately, Caitlin's voice changed and she was no longer able to portray the Dora character, as happened with the actress who originated the role.”
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
animated series for children Dora the Explorer
Dora the Explorer
Dora the Explorer is an American animated television series created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh, and Eric Weiner. Dora the Explorer became a regular series in 2000. The show is carried on the Nickelodeon cable television network, including the associated Nick Jr. channel. It aired on CBS until...
.
Background
Caitlin was born in Englewood, New JerseyEnglewood, New Jersey
Englewood is a city located in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 27,147.Englewood was incorporated as a city by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1899, from portions of Ridgefield Township and the remaining portions of...
to Cuban American
Cuban American
A Cuban American is a United States citizen who traces his or her "national origin" to Cuba. Cuban Americans are also considered native born Americans with Cuban parents or Cuban-born persons who were raised and educated in US...
parents. , Caitlin was being home schooled, and is a resident of Fairview
Fairview, Bergen County, New Jersey
Fairview is a borough located in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough had a total population of 13,835....
, in Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
.
She is a jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
fan who has played the piano since she was five and enjoys listening to the music of John Coltrane
John Coltrane
John William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
and Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Sphere Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer considered "one of the giants of American music". Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "Epistrophy", "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser"...
and vocalists Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
and Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...
. When NPR's Siegel indicated that it was unusual for someone her age to be a fan of Thelonious Monk, Caitlin responded that "He has this really unique style. He kind of hits the piano really hard. And I love his offbeats. Sometimes he goes on-beat; sometimes he goes off. He's full of surprises."
Career
In 2008, Sanchez took over the voice role of the seven-year-old lead character in Dora the Explorer. She was selected from among 600 girls who auditioned for the part.Interviewed on National Public Radio's All Things Considered
All Things Considered
All Things Considered is the flagship news program on the American network National Public Radio. It was the first news program on NPR, and is broadcast live worldwide through several outlets...
, Sanchez told host Robert Siegel
Robert Siegel
Robert Siegel is an American radio journalist best known as host of the National Public Radio evening news broadcast All Things Considered.-Career:...
that the show first aired when she was four-years old and that she had grown up watching the program. She recounted having a Dora-themed bedroom, curtains and backpack when she was younger.
Sanchez's other TV work includes guest-starring as Lupe Rojas in an episode of Law & Order: SVU, ("Uncle" 2006) and appearing as Celia, the daughter of Carlos Ponce
Carlos Ponce
Carlos Armando Ponce, Jr. is a Puerto Rican actor, singer, composer and television personality. Ponce began his acting career by participating in Spanish language soap operas for Televisa and Telemundo. Ponce continued to expand his acting career by participating in various American television...
's character, on Lipstick Jungle
Lipstick Jungle (TV series)
Lipstick Jungle is an American comedy-drama television series created by DeAnn Heline and Eileen Heisler for NBC Universal Television Studio . The hour-long series was based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Candace Bushnell, who also served as executive producer alongside...
. Her film work includes the film Phoebe in Wonderland
Phoebe in Wonderland
Phoebe in Wonderland is a 2009 independent film directed by Daniel Barnz.It was screened in the Dramatic Competition at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, and received a limited theatrical release on March 6, 2009.-Plot:...
.
Sanchez performed the National Anthem for a New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
game on November 21, 2009.
2010 Nickelodeon lawsuit
On October 6, 2010, Sanchez filed a 41-page complaint in Manhattan Supreme Court in New York against Nickelodeon and its corporate parents ViacomViacom
Viacom Inc. , short for "Video & Audio Communications", is an American media conglomerate with interests primarily in, but not limited to, cinema and cable television...
and subsidiary MTV Networks
MTV Networks
MTV Networks is a division of media conglomerate Viacom that oversees the operations of many television channels and Internet brands, including the original MTV channel in the United States...
for suit claiming that they had duped her into signing a "bizarre, impenetrable, unconscionable" contract, in which she states she was not adequately compensated for merchandising, re-runs, promotional work and recordings (including overtime) for her work on Dora the Explorer. The complaint states that Sanchez was only paid $40 per day for travel (which Nickelodeon contends was for incidental expenses), and worked more than 100 Dora the Explorer promotional events without pay. In a statement, Nickelodeon said that "[Sanchez] was well-compensated for her work and for personal appearances." The complaint also states that Sanchez and her parents were not given enough time to seek a lawyer's advice on her contract with Dora the Explorer and were “pressured to sign within a half-hour of first seeing” the contract. Sanchez claims that Nickelodeon representatives pressured her into signing a contract that paid her $5,000 per episode. Nickelodeon responded to the suit stating that "the claims being made are baseless. Unfortunately, Caitlin's voice changed and she was no longer able to portray the Dora character, as happened with the actress who originated the role.”
Filmography
- 2006: Law & Order: Special Victims UnitLaw & Order: Special Victims UnitLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it is also primarily produced...
- Lupe Rojas (1 episode) - 2008: Dora the ExplorerDora the ExplorerDora the Explorer is an American animated television series created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh, and Eric Weiner. Dora the Explorer became a regular series in 2000. The show is carried on the Nickelodeon cable television network, including the associated Nick Jr. channel. It aired on CBS until...
- Dora (TV series; 2007-2010) - 2008: Phoebe in WonderlandPhoebe in WonderlandPhoebe in Wonderland is a 2009 independent film directed by Daniel Barnz.It was screened in the Dramatic Competition at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, and received a limited theatrical release on March 6, 2009.-Plot:...
- Monica - 2008: Dora Saves the Snow PrincessDora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Snow PrincessDora Saves the Snow Princess is a direct-to-video release based on the popular children's series, "Dora The Explorer". It was released September 30, 2008 on DVD. The film is about La Princesa Sabrina, who is locked in a tower by a mean witch, and Dora and Boots, who must save the Snow Forest which...
- Dora - 2009: Dora Celebrates Three Kings DayDora the ExplorerDora the Explorer is an American animated television series created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh, and Eric Weiner. Dora the Explorer became a regular series in 2000. The show is carried on the Nickelodeon cable television network, including the associated Nick Jr. channel. It aired on CBS until...
- Dora - 2009: Dora the Explorer: Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure - Dora
Awards and nominations
- 2009 40th NAACP Image Awards40th NAACP Image AwardsThe 40th NAACP Image Awards honored the best in film, television and music for 2008. The show was televised live on February 12, 2009 on Fox at 8 p.m...
: Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children’s Program for Dora the ExplorerDora the ExplorerDora the Explorer is an American animated television series created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh, and Eric Weiner. Dora the Explorer became a regular series in 2000. The show is carried on the Nickelodeon cable television network, including the associated Nick Jr. channel. It aired on CBS until... - 2009 Imagen Awards: Best Actress/Television for Dora the Explorer
- 2010 41st NAACP Image Awards: Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children’s Program for Dora the Explorer
- 2010 Imagen Awards: Best Actress/Television for Dora the Explorer