Watch Ashleigh C.'s exclusive interview with Walter Dohrn, director of the latest Trolls installment, Trolls Band Together which releases in theaters November 17, 2023. Walter Dohrn is an American writer, director, animator, musician, and actor. He performed the voice of Rumpelstiltskin in Shrek Forever After, as well as various characters in Shrek the Third. Dohrn has also worked as writer, director, and storyboard director in Season 2 of SpongeBob SquarePants, and 2 episodes from Season 3. In Trolls: Band Together we get to see the family of Branch (Justin Timberlake) and their former band “BroZone.” After the band breaks up, one of the brothers, Floyd (Troye Sivian), gets kidnapped by Velvet (Amy Schumer) and Venner (Andrew Rannells) who steal his talent. It's up to Branch, his brothers, Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and some other new and recurring characters to find a way to save him before it's too late.

We are thrilled to introduce Jo Steel, an exceptional artist and content creator whose recent episode on "Faceplant: Season 2, This LA Artist Traded Virality for Authenticity – and it Saved Their Life," gripped audiences. Jo specializes in mesmerizing body art and illusion makeup, earning fame with notable figures like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson sharing her work. Yet, this spotlight brought intense social media scrutiny and pressure.

Asher Colton Spence, known for his roles in Five Nights at Freddy’s plays Boots. Kathleen Herles, the original voice of Dora returns to play Dora’s mother Mami. Diana Zermeño is the voice of Dora.Paramount+ celebrates the triumphant return of iconic Latina heroine Dora the Explorer. Produced by Nickelodeon Animation and featuring 26 CG-animated 11-minute episodes, DORA will premiere on Friday, April 12, exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia. With all-new CG animation and imaginative character-driven storylines, the upcoming DORA series follows everyone’s favorite bilingual explorer, Dora (Diana Zermeño), and her best monkey friend, Boots (Asher Colton Spence), as they embark on epic adventures in a fantastical rainforest. Guided by trustworthy Map (Anairis Quiñones), Dora and her friends must work together to overcome many obstacles while being challenged by the sneakiest fox, Swiper (Marc Weiner). Kathleen Herles, the original voice of Dora the Explorer, returns to the new series as Mami, and Mike Smith Rivera joins the cast as Papi.In addition to Zermeño’s breakout role as Dora, previously announced cast members joining DORA include Maria Canals-Barrera as Abuela; Danny Burstein as Grumpy Old Troll and The Fiesta Trio’s Frog and Marmoset; Katarina Sky as Backpack; Donovan Monzon-Sanders as Tico; Tandi Fomukong as Isa; Quintún Muñoz as Benny; Chris Gifford as Big Red Chicken; and Quiñones as The Fiesta Trio’s Armadillo. Featured guest stars this season are Taboo as Quickatoo and Kate del Castillo as Ale the Alebrije. DORA is produced by Nickelodeon Animation in Burbank, California, and created by Chris Gifford and Valerie Walsh Valdes. Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes and Rich Magallanes serve as executive producers. Henry Lenardin-Madden serves as co-executive producer, and Alejandro Bien-Willner serves as story editor. Marielle Kaar is Nickelodeon's Executive in Charge of Production for the series. Dora the Explorer was created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes and Eric Weiner.Since its launch on Nickelodeon on August 14, 2000, Dora the Explorer quickly emerged as a global pop culture phenomenon, and nearly 25 years later, it’s still one of the most-watched preschool shows of all time. Dora has crossed social, racial and language boundaries and stands as a hero and friend to millions of children around the world. The series currently is seen in more than 150 countries and territories and translated in 32 languages through Nickelodeon channels, Paramount+ around the globe and syndication. Over its eight-season run, which is currently available to stream in full on Paramount+, Dora the Explorer received countless accolades, including Emmy, Peabody, NAACP, Alma, Imagen, Latino Spirit, Gracie Allen, KIDS FIRST! and Television Critics Association awards.

J. J. Johnson, is a Canadian-born writer, director, an executive producer and the creative force and founding partner of Sinking Ship Entertainment. He is a four-time Emmy-winning executive producer, three-time Emmy-winning director, CSA and WGC award-winning writer, and best-selling author. J.J. has created over 17 series including Dino Dana and Annedroids (Amazon Prime), Endlings (Hulu) and the Ghostwriter reboot (Apple TV+). Most recently he created Jane (Apple TV+), an environmental action-adventure series produced alongside the Jane Goodall Institute. His upcoming originals include Dino Dex (Amazon Kids), the third spinoff of his global hit Dino Dan franchise. J.J. has co-authored multiple academic papers and has been a guest speaker at the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, the International Communication Association, and the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva. He is also the co-chair of the Youth Media Alliance in Canada.Matt Bishop, is a Co-Founder, Producer and Co-Owner at Sinking Ship Entertainment. Matt's expertise in animation production has been instrumental in crafting the world of Jane, a live action/CGI blended series that takes viewers on unforgettable adventures. In 2021, Sinking Ship partnered with Apple TV+ and the Jane Goodall Institute to produce a children's series called Jane about a girl who, with her friends, have imaginary play to save endangered animals. Today, we are talking about Season 2 which is available on Apple TV+ now.

Enjoy Ashleigh C.'s interview with Ray Nutt, CEO, Fathom Events. With more than three decades of experience in the entertainment industry Mr. Nutt is the leader of one of the largest distributors of diverse content to movie theatres in North America. Last summer during the height of quarantine, our KIDS FIRST! Film Critics interviewed Mr. Nutt about the closing of movie theaters and what to expect. Today we are following up with news to share about how cinemas are re-opening, what that transition looks like, and what you can expect as you go back to theatrical screenings.

Enjoy Ashleigh C.'s interview with Mariem Pérez, director, Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It. Ms. Riera is an editor, producer and director who has directed many documentaries including De Puerto Rico para el Mundo, Croatto, la huella de un emigrante, Chamacas and more. Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It is a trailblazing documentary that will inspire girls across the world who have a dream! Rita Moreno’s life story is a testament to her perseverance and others like her who had a dream and decided to go for it. This documentary profiles Rita Moreno (West Side Story, One Day at a Time), following her life from its beginnings as a poor Puerto Rican girl to becoming an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) award-winning actress. We see her struggles and trials throughout her life and how she confronts and handles them. Latina Mariem Perez Riera directs this documentary and brings a great deal of passion to it, making the film very personal and authentic. The film employs stop motion animation, film excerpts to show Moreno’s life as a young woman to a legendary entertainment icon and political activist. Not only are the scenes diverse, so are its features. I particularly enjoyed hearing from Morgan Freeman, Lin- Manuel Miranda and Hector Elizondo. My favorite parts of this documentary are actually the sad parts. So many people in the limelight tend to sugar coat the truth about their troubles, which makes them seem perfect. This film is raw to the point that, even though her life has a Hollywood spin to it, it actually tells a story that many young girls can relate to today. The message of this documentary is in the title - be a girl (or boy) that goes for your dream. Rita Moreno came from less than many, yet lived a life bigger than most. You can do it! You won’t know unless you try. This film does contain a description of sexual violence and some profanity. I give Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It 5 out 5 stars and recommend it for ages 13 to 18, plus adults. You can watch it only in theatres starting June 18, 2021.

Enjoy Ashleigh C.'s interview with Dana Fox the co-creator and executive producer of the Apple TV+ Original Series Home Before Dark as well as the star of the show, Brooklynn Prince. Dana Fox was born in Brighton, New York, USA. She is a producer and writer, known for Couples Retreat (2009), How to Be Single (2016) and What Happens in Vegas (2008). Brooklynn Prince started acting at the age of two and she gained popularity from her iconic, adorable role as Moonee in the beloved The Florida project. She is also well known for her roles as the inspiring Hilde Lisko in the new AppleTV+ show Home Before Dark, and Flora from the horror book adaptation of The Turning of the Screw, The Turning.Home Before Dark is a dramatic mystery series inspired by the reporting of a young investigative journalist, Hilde Lysiak. Directed and executive produced by Jon M. Chu, the series follows a young girl named Hilde (Brooklynn Prince) who moves from the city of Brooklyn to the small lakeside town her father left behind. While there, her dogged pursuit of the truth leads her to unearth a cold case that everyone in town, including her own father, tried hard to bury. In season two, when a mysterious explosion hits a local farm, reporter Hilde Lisko begins an investigation that will lead her to fight a powerful and influential corporation – with the health of her family and Erie Harbor in the balance.KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ashleigh C. comments, “Calling all aspiring journalists, and father-daughter duos! This new series Home Before Dark has everything you could possibly want in a show, including a special father-daughter relationship, mystery, action, suspense and even romance.”

Enjoy Ashleigh C.'s interview with Tessa Commers, host of That's Totally Normal! Dr. Commers is a board-certified pediatrician. She is passionate about answering tough questions from her adolescent patients, the ones most teenagers avoid out of embarrassment or fear of repercussions. She has reached over 1.5 million followers with her TikTok videos, with as well as her podcast which we are discussing today. Puberty, sex and ejaculation? These words used to make me cringe, but that is because I didn’t know what they actually meant. Now I know That’s Totally Normal!The podcast That’s Totally Normal! explores all of those uncomfortable and embarrassing topics we would rather not talk about or educate ourselves about. However, it is done in such a way where, not only is the audience comfortable, but more informed. On average, each episode is eleven minutes in length or substantially less.Host and writer Dr. Tessa Commers, known to us as Dr. T, has a youthful and reassuring voice. As a board-certified pediatrician and the writer of this podcast, the information she provides can be trusted and taken to heart. Editor and Sound Designer John Ross makes the entire podcast come together by adding whimsical and funny sound effects that make the information easier to take. My favorite episode is “Acne,” where Dr. T discusses the world of zits, pimples and even bacne.The positive and uplifting message of the podcast That’s Totally Normal! suggests that “we are all in this together.” While our bodies may be different, together we experience many of the same things. That’s Totally Normal! gets 5 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 10 to 18, as well as adults. You can find the podcast That’s Totally Normal! on TRAX.