High school gave ‘Dora the Explorer’ voice actress a pass over vaping

NEW YORK — The teenage actress who voices Nickelodeon’s spunky “Dora the Explorer” character was given special treatment after she was caught vaping in a private high school bathroom, according to a lawsuit filed Monday (Tuesday, Manila time) by the parents of another student.

The parents of a 14-year-old former student at Manhattan’s Avenues: The World School, identified as M.S. in a state Supreme Court civil case, say their child was forced out of the private school while 15-year-old actress Fatima Ptacek was only suspended for three days after they were caught using a vapor pen to inhale caramel-flavored water last December.

The lawsuit refers to Ptacek by her initials but identifies her as being the voice of Dora and an actress in an Oscar-winning movie.

“The fact that F.P. is a known actress for being the voice of Dora Explorer may have played a role in why she was ultimately not expelled even after the school threatened as much, and M.S. was expelled instead as a scapegoat,” says the lawsuit by the parents, Nadia Leonelli and Fredrik Sundwall.

Ptacek’s publicist did not return a request for comment on Monday. Neither did a spokesman for Nickelodeon.

School spokesman Bruce Bobbin said disciplinary matters are “private and confidential,” and he declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Leonelli and Sundwall want their daughter reinstated in the school and are seeking $40,000 in damages to cover tuition payments and legal fees, according to their court filing. Their daughter had never been in trouble before and succumbed to peer pressure because she wanted to appear “cool” in front of Ptacek, the lawsuit said.

“Dora the Explorer,” which premiered in 2000, features a bilingual Latina main character and her adventures inside an animated world. Ptacek voiced the title role from 2012-2015 and has voicedDora’s character on the spinoff “Dora and Friends: Into the City!” since 2014, according to her website.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Everyone is invited to Hi-5 House Party

MANILA, Philippines—Hi-5 debuts their new cast line up in Australia with a brand new stage show.

Stevie and Lauren welcome newcomers Dayen Zheng, Ainsley Melham and Mary Lascaris to the stage in a Dance Party extravaganza. Hi-5’s favorite friend DJ Chats will be the “party meister” spinning discs and keeping everyone on their toes.

This is Hi-5’s first live “concert style” stage show and after a big shout out to fans of over 100,000 on Facebook to find out their most loved songs, the show will feature Hi-5’s most popular song line up. It also features a sneak-peek at songs featuring in the new revamped series “Hi-5 House” due to have a world premiere in Australia and New Zealand on Nickelodeon on December 6.

Classic favorites such as L.O.V.E and “Ready or Not” will have audiences singing along and joining in with the new songs like “Dance with the Dinosaurs” and “Come On In” performed for the very first time on stage.

Look forward to joining in the familiar party games—with a Hi-5 twist of course with your favorite friends—there is even a limbo competition. And of course, there are lots and lots of music and dancing, because that’s what the Hi-5 House is all about – it’s a non-stop dance party.

With so many interactive elements the audiences are definitely part of the party fun. So put on your party clothes and dancing shoes and get ready for Hi-5 House Party!

Hi-5 is one of the top three most successful pre-school television shows in Australia and has held this position for 10 years. The series are classified within the educational requirements for preschool television by Australian, British and American Broadcast Authorities and is known for helping children learn through play, whilst bearing in mind curriculum requirement for early childhood education. Hi-5 reaches a global audience of 1,000,000 children.

Tickets to Hi-5 House Party in Manila on December 13 to 15 at the SM Aura’s Samsung Hall are now available at all SM Tickets outlets, visit www.smtickets.com or call 374-9999 and 470-2222. Presented by Hi-5 and Wilbros Live.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net