'Dora The Explorer' Voice Actress Sues Nickelodeon - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 10-07-2010, 07:36 PM

As if puberty weren't tough enough, it also may have cost a New Jersey teen her gig as the voice of "Dora the Explorer."

Nickelodeon, which Caitlin Sanchez contends in a lawsuit "swindled" her out of millions of dollars, fired back Thursday that the 14-year-old girl's pay was fine, but that her voice was not.

"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," the kids cable network said in a statement.

The Daily News early Thursday broke the story of Sanchez's stinging claims against Nickelodeon, which she says duped her into inking a "bizarre, impenetrable, unconscionable" contract that left her overworked and underpaid.

The suit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, accuses Nickelodeon and corporate parents Viacom and MTV Networks, of stiffing the teen on residuals and merchandising in a 2007 contract that failed to "adequately" compensate the girl who gave voice to the adorable, Spanish-speaking Dora.

In a 41-page complaint, Caitlin contends she worked more than 100 "Dora the Explorer" promotional events for free, and traveled around the country while getting a mere $40 per-diem.

A Nickelodeon source countered that she and her parents were treated to first-class hotels on the road, had their air and ground transportation paid for by the cable network and that the $40 was for incidental expenses.

"She was well-compensated for her work and for personal appearances," Nickelodeon said in a statement.

Her lawyer, John Balestriere, countered that the teen's family often lost money on the trips because they had to spend more money on food and airline baggage charges than the "meager $40 stipend."

"We are not suing because they claim her voice changed," Balestriere said. "She is not suing to stay on as Dora.

"She is suing because they paid her nothing for residuals, a few thousand dollars for merchandising and ended up making her spend most of her time - uncompensated - promoting the $11 billion Dora brand rather than performing as a paid actress."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/...#ixzz11idux3Ta

catlover79 · 10-08-2010, 01:44 AM

YIKES.

Marvo301 · 10-08-2010, 01:57 AM

Greedy network execs taking advantage of kid. Sick!

JamesG · 12-03-2010, 02:38 PM

Former "Dora the Explorer" Settles Lawsuit Against Nickelodeon
12/3/2010
by Eriq Gardner

Nickelodeon, MTV Networks and Viacom have extracted themselves from a highly public lawsuit brought by a 14-year-old who was fired from voicing Dora the Explorer after she reached puberty.

According to John Balestriere, the attorney for former Dora voice Caitlin Sanchez, her multimillion dollar lawsuit against the producers is over.

"After discussions, the lawsuit was withdrawn," says Balestriere, adding he can't go into details because of an agreement among the parties.

In October, Sanchez sued Nickelodeon, claiming she was forced to sign an "unconscionable" contract, and was given just 22 minutes to sign a deal to voice Dora without an experienced lawyer or lose the gig.

Sanchez also claimed that reps from the network had promised her substantial compensation from merchandising and residuals, but later cut her out and underpaid her for her work.

The dispute got ugly, with Balestriere threatening to reveal embarrassing details about Nickelodeon. Since then, the dispute has grown more quiet until Friday.

"After discussion, the suit has been withdrawn," says David Bittler, a spokesperson for Nickelodeon.

"We have always felt, and continue to feel, that Caitlin is a very talented performer. Our intention was always that Caitlin complete the episodes on which she worked and we are pleased that she has agreed to do so."

Nickelodeon didn't comment on any possible financial considerations that led to its resolution.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blo...kelodeon-55985

10-07-2010, 07:36 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	'Dora The Explorer' Voice Actress Sues Nickelodeon As if puberty weren't tough enough, it also may have cost a New Jersey teen her gig as the voice of "Dora the Explorer." Nickelodeon, which Caitlin Sanchez contends in a lawsuit "swindled" her out of millions of dollars, fired back Thursday that the 14-year-old girl's pay was fine, but that her voice was not. "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," the kids cable network said in a statement. The Daily News early Thursday broke the story of Sanchez's stinging claims against Nickelodeon, which she says duped her into inking a "bizarre, impenetrable, unconscionable" contract that left her overworked and underpaid. The suit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, accuses Nickelodeon and corporate parents Viacom and MTV Networks, of stiffing the teen on residuals and merchandising in a 2007 contract that failed to "adequately" compensate the girl who gave voice to the adorable, Spanish-speaking Dora. In a 41-page complaint, Caitlin contends she worked more than 100 "Dora the Explorer" promotional events for free, and traveled around the country while getting a mere $40 per-diem. A Nickelodeon source countered that she and her parents were treated to first-class hotels on the road, had their air and ground transportation paid for by the cable network and that the $40 was for incidental expenses. "She was well-compensated for her work and for personal appearances," Nickelodeon said in a statement. Her lawyer, John Balestriere, countered that the teen's family often lost money on the trips because they had to spend more money on food and airline baggage charges than the "meager $40 stipend." "We are not suing because they claim her voice changed," Balestriere said. "She is not suing to stay on as Dora. "She is suing because they paid her nothing for residuals, a few thousand dollars for merchandising and ended up making her spend most of her time - uncompensated - promoting the $11 billion Dora brand rather than performing as a paid actress." Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/...#ixzz11idux3Ta Attached Images
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

10-08-2010, 01:44 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	YIKES.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

10-08-2010, 01:57 AM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Greedy network execs taking advantage of kid. Sick!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

12-03-2010, 02:38 PM	#4
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,075	*Former "Dora the Explorer" Settles Lawsuit Against Nickelodeon* 12/3/2010 by Eriq Gardner Nickelodeon, MTV Networks and Viacom have extracted themselves from a highly public lawsuit brought by a 14-year-old who was fired from voicing Dora the Explorer after she reached puberty. According to John Balestriere, the attorney for former Dora voice Caitlin Sanchez, her multimillion dollar lawsuit against the producers is over. "After discussions, the lawsuit was withdrawn," says Balestriere, adding he can't go into details because of an agreement among the parties. In October, Sanchez sued Nickelodeon, claiming she was forced to sign an "unconscionable" contract, and was given just 22 minutes to sign a deal to voice Dora without an experienced lawyer or lose the gig. Sanchez also claimed that reps from the network had promised her substantial compensation from merchandising and residuals, but later cut her out and underpaid her for her work. The dispute got ugly, with Balestriere threatening to reveal embarrassing details about Nickelodeon. Since then, the dispute has grown more quiet until Friday. "After discussion, the suit has been withdrawn," says David Bittler, a spokesperson for Nickelodeon. "We have always felt, and continue to feel, that Caitlin is a very talented performer. Our intention was always that Caitlin complete the episodes on which she worked and we are pleased that she has agreed to do so." Nickelodeon didn't comment on any possible financial considerations that led to its resolution. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blo...kelodeon-55985