“Dora The Explorer” Makeover–Grown-Up Dora New Look
Nickelodeon’s Dora The Explorer is getting a new look, and many parents don’t like it, not one little bit. The children’s television network and toy manfacturer Mattel think it’s time darling little Dora grew up, so they’re losing the baby fat and backpack and replacing them with platform sandals and miniskirts.
Last month, Nick and Mattel announced plans to unveil a new tween Dora, who is now described as a fashionable beauty living in the big city.
“For nearly ten years, Dora the Explorer has had such a strong following among preschoolers, catapulting it into the number one preschool show on commercial television,” says Gina Sirard, vice president of marketing for Mattel. “Girls really identify with Dora and we knew that girls would love to have their friend Dora grow up with them, and experience the new things that they were going through themselves. The brand captures girls’ existing love of Dora and marries it with the fashion doll play and online experiences older girls enjoy.”
Visit CNN to find out what all the fuss is about.
Written by Castina on March 6th, 2009 | Tagged as: Popular Culture
On March 8th 2009, Celeste wrote:
Im 16 i have no kids. . . . .but i do baby sit and i think that dora should stay the same bcuz we all grow up sure we like dora at 2 or 3 as she is. . . .and older girls will like the older dora just 4 a lil while they will grow out of her so when they do are they gonna make an adult dora.
On March 9th 2009, Alexis wrote:
I don't understand why they are changing Dora at all. Its aimed towards younger kids and preschoolers. What "tween" is going to want to watch Dora? Keep it the same, you're going to loose a big audience by doing this. I can guarantee I will not let my daughters watch it if its changed.
On March 9th 2009, Brittany wrote:
what in the world?! This is a preschooler character why change her. This is stupid, we go from adorable little dora to slutsville dora. I mean come on, a mini skirt, big hair. Kind of looks like a Bratz thing goin on. Why can't they let kids be kids. Just leave dora like she is.
On March 10th 2009, p wrote:
give her some boobs
On March 10th 2009, Hecknoo! wrote:
Terrible idea. What's this going to be about? "Dora gets her first AA bra"? "Dora's First Kiss"? Since the concept of Dora appeals to very young audiences, those 6-year-olds think it's okay to watch it as well. So what we end up with is first graders impersonating a "Slutsville Dora", as Brittany pointed out. Just go cancel the entire thing, and there won't be a rebellion against Mattel.
On March 10th 2009, Leon wrote:
According to most people, turning eleven makes Dora a slut.
Sound to me like someone else needs to grow up.
On March 10th 2009, Gena wrote:
Dora is loved by all preschooler, that's a fact. Children grow, as do other toys product to fit different age ranges. I think it is time for Dora the explorer to grow up so the teens can have another great influence on television and at home.
On March 11th 2009, J. James wrote:
NEWS FLASH: This just in !!!…..Your T.V. has many channels, and is able to been turned from Dora the Explorer if you do not like it. In a related story, parents should stop letting popular characters raise their children instead of them.
On March 11th 2009, Katie wrote:
Who cares?
It's pretty obvious why they're doing this.
Look at all of the children that GREW UP watching her. They might be afraid that her following will end. So what's the thing to do? Make the character grow up with her audience.
Personally, I believe that if ya'll want to pick a fight, duke it out with a REAL person who is a worse role model…
On March 11th 2009, GaGaGoo wrote:
There are always new 2 and 3 year olds who love Dora–changing her is just not necessary!!!
Is Boots going to be a teenage Monkey Hunk??
On March 12th 2009, JC Blancahrd wrote:
Nickelodeon,
What are you doing??! Big mistake. I have a 3 year old Daughter and I (along with the Mom's I know) will tune out if Dora is "hootchied up"
Hear this Nickelodeon: If you need another marketing angle, create an older Sister. Leave Dora and Boots alone!
Disgusted by the idea.
JC Blanchard
On March 13th 2009, Rachel wrote:
Nickalodeon,
Leave Dora alone! Bring in another cousin. You already have Diego to cornor the boy market, Dora for the girls, why no create something with an older cousin like Alicia or someone new. You cannot make her a tween without taking away the shows innocence. It is not suposed to be about the bottom line, but what is wholesome for the kids.
On March 17th 2009, j wrote:
of course dora has to grow up, it's not a big deal for the parents who have 3 and 4 year old daughters arent they gonna grow up or will you make them keep watching sesame street forever. you need to grow up and stop bickering about B/S.
On March 18th 2009, LUIS wrote:
DORA U LOOK TOTALY HOT NOW I GUESS IM NOT GOING TO NEED A COMPUTER OR VIDEOS GAMES IM GOING TO SEE YOU NOW
OH HERD THAT PARENTS NOW KIDS OR TEENS ARE NOT ADDICTED TO COMPUTERS OR VIDEO GAMES NOW THEY ARE GOING TO SEE DORA DORA DORA AND MORE DORA
On March 18th 2009, Kaitlyn wrote:
Of course Dora iz gonna grow up some time! Are kids gonna stay the same? NO! Every thing has to grow up some time and now its Dora's turn. Let Nickalodeon do what they want with their charachter. Im in for it. And let Dora grow up!!!!!!!!
PEACE!!!!
On March 18th 2009, savannah wrote:
the new dora is so stupid. dora is dora leave her the same. sure kids grow up but new kids are born and they need a kid hero not a tweenage girl. im only 13 and have been watching dora since i was small so do all my sibblings. i like watching a little girl go on adventures and have fun not a tweenage girl go through pubrity. they should have left dora alone.
On March 19th 2009, ashleyyyy. wrote:
shut up with all these "dora shouldn't grow up"
everything, and everyone grows up.
it's a cartoon. and it's just really pathetic that you are just going crazy over it. leave it alone how old are you parents? tooo old to complain about this. if you don't want your kids watching this, THEN CHANGE THE CHANNEL. kthanks :)
On March 19th 2009, mom wrote:
dont like it..i have a 3 yr old and think this makeover is just wrong
On March 20th 2009, aunty wrote:
my neice deos not like it she 4 tears old and she likes the younger version of dora
On March 21st 2009, CC wrote:
Hey people listen,
stop bickering, i mean goodness. im 15 and i grew up with Dora, EVERYONE has to grow up sometime. i remember when Bob-hair cuts, purple shorts, and frilly socks were cool…but now it's just kind of awkward….i mean remember rugrats? they grew up too! no one was P-O'ed about that so seriously stop. But i hope they do somethoing about boots, its would be kinda wierd seeing a tween with a funky little 4 year old monkey XD but idc i still love boots, hes so cute! haha so yeah, who should be the REAL ones to grow up? HAHAparentsHAHA. ;D
On March 21st 2009, Sierra wrote:
i dont care if they change dora i dont watch that much any more but sometimes i think it would be cool to see her grow up oh i showed my 5 year old neice her and she thought it was cool
On March 22nd 2009, lathisha wrote:
i am 11 years old and i think that is good that they changed to a grow up because i dirent wach dora butt know i im intresing in haching dora and i think that more people will like to wach dora
On March 23rd 2009, sarah wrote:
I think that if everybody else grows up dora shold to. like the idea of the older dora. Plus theres plenty of baby showes but then again they should still keep dora an explorer show and make the tween dora also.
On March 24th 2009, Sarah wrote:
Sadly the network made a mistake! My daughter Ashley says that "Dora is still a baby show, no matter how old she LOOKS!" The fact that Dora has been a toddler show will have an effect on how the tweens watch. She should try to watch it anyways before judging it, but I think it will not get any viewers. P.S whoever wrote give her some boobs, THAT IS SOOO SICKENING!
On March 26th 2009, Lexy wrote:
I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD STICK WITH THE NEW DORA AND KEEP THE OLD DORA ON THE AIR SHE LOOKS SO PRETTY AND YEH WHO EVER WROTE GIVE HER BOOBS U CAN GO SUCK BUTT AND ARE THEY GONNA MAKE A NEW DIEGO ????
On March 26th 2009, emily wrote:
i feel wat good of a show if she grows up is boots going with why new i like the old
On March 26th 2009, emily wrote:
i agree with the people who say she shouldnt grow up why news flash peolpe who think that she should that show wont get any ratings anymore and im 10 and i have two nephews who love her show and thier upset
On March 27th 2009, Angela wrote:
Dora is aimed @ preschoolers & young kids. Our children may grow up but, that doesn't mean that a character should grow with them. As we grow our interest change, therefore make a different character in the same premise as Dora but with a different name and possibly a different heritage. Spanish is not the only language our children may want to learn. Make her speak french or something.
On March 27th 2009, Billie wrote:
Are you kidding me? They will still have the old Dora, the new one is just for the kids that grew up with her. I think to many people are overreacting. My 19YOs played with Barbie and they are not tramps, the are in collage and very good kids. Be a parent and do your job! Stop letting cartoons raise your child and do it yourself! A child will learn from example, your example.
On March 27th 2009, Drew wrote:
I really dont know why people are makeing such a big fuss. I remember when the rugrats grew up and people didnt mind. As I recall kids 2-15 use to watch rugrats. so im sure they are makeing the show for 10-16 yr olds. Just like they made "All grown up" rugrats for the older crowed so give it a chance people. Also it is people who complain alot who ruin all the good kid shows and characters. like Buster bunny show. Bert and Ernie living together and takeing off cookie monster. Really people let us kids and teens have a say in what we want and not dictate what u want us to whatch.
On March 27th 2009, vanessa wrote:
i think they should make a show about it
On March 27th 2009, whisperingwinds wrote:
like a few other comments i have read on this, i have to agree with them the ones complaining about the make over need to grow up , why complain about how they make over dora, when in the real world i see mothers dressing their 3 and 4yr olds in miniskirts, what is so wrong with what is being done ? i myself see nothing wrong with the makeover
On March 27th 2009, Vincent wrote:
I've never watched Dora the Explorer, the only thing I've ever been involved in with this show was selling the merchandise. To be honest it was annoying as hell selling a toy that kept lashing its hair around saying "We did it!"
Like most people aleady, I dont know, I've seen the new Grown up Dora and I gotta be honest I like it. The parents are a bunch of whinny ass whimps that cant accept change, which is why they made a petition that no ones signing. Above all there saying that Dora's and i quote "to sexual", when they dress their own kids in outfits like that.
Bottom line if kids are growing up and still watch the show, then Dora must grow up with them, I mean come on she already has baby twin brother and sister. They did the same thing with the Rugrats when they were in high school and no one complained about them now did they ?
Besides if they already unleashed the new older dora and made the new dools, then the fact of it is there still bringing this to production whether people like it or not. Bottom line, I like the new older Dora, Five stars.
On March 28th 2009, herchele wrote:
am 13 yearz old and i think she should stay the same.if u change dora's look u will lose many views
On March 30th 2009, kiki wrote:
i would watch it ALEXIS u guys are all cornballs the new dora is awsome. Ur all hoes
On March 30th 2009, aliya 9 years old wrote:
go to msn
search orA the explorer makeover pics
click first result
look to side find doras NEW LOOK
On April 1st 2009, anisha wrote:
I think it,s ok for dora to look older
On April 1st 2009, anisha wrote:
I think it,s ok for dora to look older i mean come people dora looks find to me she has to grow up
On April 5th 2009, SARAH wrote:
i dont think you should change dora. the teenagers are just likeing her because of her new look.i think its S-T-U-P-I-D…. STUPID. WHY WOULD YOU TAKE AWAY BOOTS I LOVE HIM AND IM 9 YRS. OLD? well I HATE YOUR BUISNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I DONT CARE IF EVERYONE ELSE LIKES IT BUT I DONT…….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On April 5th 2009, Tina wrote:
Wow, I am amazed at the responses here. Who cares if they have "another" dora show. For your information the dora now is like 7 or 8 years old. She is in school. My daughter is 4 and can't wait to watch the new dora TOO. Why should it be limited to ONE dora. Doesn't your children love it when dora turns into the ice princess or mermaid. Why not an older dora. And the slut and hoe comments show a very demented individual. Many of these posters need to GROW UP and quit worrying about Dora……
On June 22nd 2009, Anonimis wrote:
I'm a teen, and I think that's crazy. I remember watching Dora the Explorer when she first came out, and I liked watching her because she was a kid…just like me. I don't believe that little kids need anymore teenaged role models; they need someone their own age to look up to. And I also say this because little kids want to dress-up like their role model, and do we really need to see little kids wearing baby-doll shirts, dresses, or spaghetti straps? They need someone their own age.
On July 7th 2009, Nikki wrote:
I'm 13 and I would not watch Dora. Dora is for little kids, not tweens or teens. Every little kid should have the experience of watching Dora. I think the older Dora is very interesting but besides watching the first episode or two, teens and tweens are not going to be interested and will spend their time doing other things….
On July 7th 2009, Nicole wrote:
They did the same thing with Rugrats which I thought was pretty cool, actually. Although….Rugrats All Grown Up did not last long….
I'm 13. I watched Dora when I was little. I don't watch it anymore. A teenage Dora sounds cool and is very interesting. As long as they keep the Dora for little kids, then I really don't care either way. I'll probably watch the first episode to see what it's like but after that not bother (unless, of course, it's really good). I just can't imagine a teenage Dora but the idea just cracks me up, entertains me, and, you have to admit, is pretty interesting….
On July 27th 2009, shawnta jacobs wrote:
this is so cool i love the new dora and ps: thay are sill going to show the new dora im ok with it and dora is is my grandmas name ow and im 14
On July 27th 2009, shawnta jacobs wrote:
ow and she dons not look like a bratz i love and i am mad that thay would say that SHE IS NOT AND DOS NOT LOOK LIKE A BRATZ
On August 9th 2009, kaylah wrote:
get a grip because where was the out cry when pebbles and bam bam grew up! Look if you want a 60 year old childs characters elmo and big bird are still available (do you need directions to sesame street)? LOL yall bein childish let her grow up
On August 22nd 2009, Victoria wrote:
I grew up with Dora and now I'm 9. I know everyone grows up but that is still kind of wrong…I mean she does look like she came from Slutsville like Brittany said…What are they gonna do with Diego now? They can't have him stay a child and Dora grow up! Preschoolers must be heart broken! Thats stupid they are making a "tween verison" I mean there just competing With Icarly,Hannah Montana,High School Musical and all those Nick and Disney channel stuff…
On August 26th 2009, Sarah Connery wrote:
YO I THINK DORA LOOKS OLD, LIKE A BRATZ DOLL! SHE SHOULD NOT DRESS LIKE THAT, THE OLD DORA LOOKS INNOCENT AND CUTE! BUT THIS ONE LOOKS LIKE SO OLD, AND WHAT THE HELL DID BOOTS EVER DO TO YOU GUYS! MAN HE WAS A BIG PART OF THE SHOW, DORA AND HER GIRLS NOW, ARE PROBABLY GONNA TALK ABOUT BOYS NOW!omg yestrda ywas soo funni adn scaray! dat guy waz such a perv , and den like he waz starin at us! dat waz like wierd wen he waz wakin 2 us, i waz sooo scare! loooooool 2 funni! sarah, manitra, liyeanne ily guyz <3 den waz tryin to tak we werelike runing! baron! we saw u i was liek wat? iz dat baron omg u helpd us we weere scard and den we walked by da gravyrd 2! dat place waz 2 freaky! wow 2 funni day and nite lol
On August 26th 2009, liyeanne mccoy wrote:
Okay, I know Dora's growing up, but And its true that all kids grow up and that they should be aware of that, however I think they overdid it by the way Dora is dressing, the fact that they took boots away, and now its "Dora's explorer girls" makes it seem a little less innocent. But I think Nick. should still give it a shot, because who knows, it might be good, and they may still teach the children lots of important things. However if the new Dora isn't appreciated I think Nickelodean, should switch back to the old one. And parents should not be so whiny about this, they should atleast give it a chance and see a couple of episodes, however if it doesn't turn out too well they should switch back to the old one. I advise Nickelodean that if the first couple episodes do not work out to well, than if they want to 'spice it up' a bit they should just add a new approprate character, instead of giving Dora a whole new makeover&& character. However I am still open to the idea.
On September 5th 2009, Allison wrote:
i like the idea i think it will help 10 year olds go throu middle school!!!!
On September 5th 2009, ASHLEY wrote:
THIS IS COOOOOOOOOOOOOOL WHO CARES ABOUT THOSE POEPLE THINK ABOUT YOUR SELF THOSE PEOPLE JUST JEULOUS.
On September 17th 2009, Brittany wrote:
man whats wrong with nickalodean Dora is fine the way she is and she should stay the same they should mess with the crappy shows like yo gabba gabba insted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On September 17th 2009, Brittany wrote:
Keep dora the same shes fine god the the heck is wring with that tv network
On October 2nd 2009, kyleigh wrote:
all of you are over reacting shes not going to chang just becase she looks older please shes only 8 give the people a breake im mean what are you 5 when im 11 and kids dont act that way!!!!!!!!!!!!
On October 2nd 2009, kyleigh wrote:
im sorrey if you miss boots but they dont want him to burn a tree down becase hes smooking crake
On October 3rd 2009, kaylee wrote:
First I want to say parents are overreacting. Doras new loook IS appropriate because her "shirt" isnt a shirt its a dress. and yeah the dress is to short so thats why they put leggings under it. second im a ten year old and im growing up like dora and i happen to like the doll including the outfit so my advise to parents who dont like her new look and are upset at mattel is if you dont like it dont let your children wach it. arnt you the parent? take control of your children.
On October 3rd 2009, kaylee wrote:
they took boot away because shes in nyc and ten year olds dont walk with a monkey on their backs i mean get real stop with the b.s
On October 4th 2009, genora wrote:
its good that u change dora i like her but still play young dora for the little children they like her
On October 6th 2009, kimberly wrote:
dora u are the best ener all the kid's love you. I feel happy that u change at all. Do you geat games? you have to be happy for your sefl that you are tall? Ino that you'a 10 year old.
On October 11th 2009, Shelbey wrote:
I grew up watching Dora. I think you should leave her alone. The Little kids that watch her love her the way she is. I,m 12 and i still watch it sometimes. Dont Crush the little kids Dora and make her a teen. Leave Dora Alone. Create a new character or a new show with a Teen, instead of changing Dora. Take it from a Kid who still watches it.No one wants Dora 2 change.
On October 27th 2009, Ash wrote:
What an awful, awful idea. I'm 15 but I know that we need to leave it well enough alone and let kids be kids. My niece and nephew watch Dora and I know I wouldn't let them watch the new ditzy, slutty revamped Dora. They're not allowed to watch or play with Bratz either (thank God)
Bring back 80s and 90s shows!
On November 7th 2009, patti wrote:
LOVE Her when is she going to be on tv??
On December 6th 2009, Maggie wrote:
This is so stupid! Dora was just fine the way she is now. Tonight they are reviling "better" "dora" in the dora christmas speical. Why would dora need to grow up. I'm a teen and there is no way I going to watch dora again. It like a 3 year old is trying to copy a 12 year old. That's just wrong.
On January 16th 2010, lynn wrote:
This is bull….how can they possibly change cute lil big head Dora for a Dora that looks nothing like her….Ok Why shoud she grow up….it was toddlers right now WTF…..is she big for. Like Elmo he hasn't changed and every one still watches sesame street….hat is so igmorant!!!!!!!
On January 28th 2010, Mckenna wrote:
Well, at least the new Dora won't have her belly showing. New Dora FTW!!!
On February 27th 2010, lala wrote:
wowww i hate that lil football headed brat. who lets their kid walk around da the world with a talking monkey & a talking fox that jacks people stuff. she needs 2 grow up cause no one wants 2 see her popped bellied belly button showin self again.
On March 30th 2010, parisg wrote:
mad
On August 2nd 2010, latryse wrote:
dora tge explorer is for babbys only
On January 4th 2011, adam wrote:
i dont think this is a good idea exactly, but i do see why they are doing it. they pbviously have ran out of ideas for the show and are making a new one with more possible subjects. im against it but what can ya do
On March 27th 2011, coco wrote:
WHAT THE HECK WHY WOULD THEY TAKE AWAY BOOTS HE IS SO AWESOME HE ALWYS DOES CARTWHEELS ON THE SHOW ITS SO COOL IM 11 YEARS OLD AND MY YOUNGER SIS WHATCHES THIS SHOW ALWAYS AND I THINK HE IS THE COOLEST CHARACTER ON THE SHOW
FROM COCO
(P.S. YOU MAY FIND THIS SLIGHTLY CREEPY)