The Chipettes

The Chipettes are a group of three female anthropomorphic chipmunk singers: Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor who first appeared on the cartoon series Alvin and the Chipmunks in 1983. In this and related materials, the Chipettes served as female featured characters in their own right, starring in numerous episodes. The title of the show was changed from Alvin and the Chipmunks to simply The Chipmunks in 1988 to reflect this. In the cartoon series and the accompanying feature films, all of the Chipettes were voiced by their creator, Janice Karman, the wife of Ross Bagdasarian Jr. (son of Ross Bagdasarian Sr. who created The Chipmunks). Karman also wrote and voiced the Chipettes' dialogue on their studio albums, while studio singers such as Susan Boyd, Shelby Daniel and Katherine Coon provided their singing voices. In Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks, Eleanor is voiced by Vanessa Bagdasarian, the daughter of Ross Bagdasarian Jr. and Janice Karman and wife of Brian Chambers.

The Chipettes
The Chipettes as they appear in The Chipmunk Adventure. From left to right: Jeanette, Brittany and Eleanor.
The Chipettes as they appear in The Chipmunk Adventure. From left to right: Jeanette, Brittany and Eleanor.
Background information
OriginNew York City
Genres
Years active1982–present
Labels
MembersBrittany Miller
Jeanette Miller
Eleanor Miller

The first designs for the Chipettes were drafted by Corny Cole for their 1983 cartoon series debut.[1] These designs were later revamped by Sandra Berez for The Chipmunk Adventure and the later seasons of the show.[2]

Origins

The origins of the Chipettes can be traced to the 1982 Alvin and the Chipmunks album The Chipmunks Go Hollywood. On this album, Alvin sings a duet with a female character billed as Charlene the Chipette. Charlene is featured on the song "You're the One That I Want" from the soundtrack of the motion picture Grease. Charlene was depicted on the album cover as having a long, golden blonde ponytail, and seems to have been the basis for the later character of Brittany.[3] Janice Karman said in interviews that she created the Chipettes because she and Bagdasarian Jr. couldn't do girl songs and wanted Chipmunks who are females and have counter personalities of the main three Chipmunks. The first Chipette she created was Brittany in 1982.[4][5]

The Chipettes, redesigned as far more realistic chipmunks, appear in the 2009 film Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. In the movie, Christina Applegate, Anna Faris, and Amy Poehler voice the Chipettes.[6] "There has been a lot of talk about it," noted Janice Karman, one of the film's producers. "A lot of people have been asking about the little girls."[7] Applegate, Faris, and Poehler reprised their respective roles in Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, which was released on December 16, 2011. The Chipettes also appeared in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip; Applegate and Faris again voice Brittany and Jeanette, but Kaley Cuoco replaces Poehler as the voice of Eleanor.

Discography

With the exception of 1987's The Chipmunk Adventure soundtrack (LP) and 1988's The Chipmunks and The Chipettes: Born to Rock, the discography of The Chipettes consists of featured appearances on Alvin and the Chipmunks recordings.

Albums

Singles
  • 1994: "I Don't Want To Be Alone For Christmas (Unless I'm Alone With You)"
  • 1996: "Macarena (with Alvin and the Chipmunks/Love Shack (with Alvin and the Chipmunks)"

2009

2011

2012

Filmography

Timeline
  • In 1955, Ross Bagdasarian Sr. drew Alvette, a female equivalent to Alvin, in the June 1955 issue of Playboy Magazine.[8]
  • August 1955 - Bagdasarian Sr. comes up with another female equivalent, but for Simon, named Simonette. For Playboy Magazine. Drawn by Corny Cole.[9]
  • June 1956 - Bagdasarian Sr. come up with Theodorette, a female equivalent to Theodore. Drawn by Chuck Jones.[10]

Personnel
  • Brittany Miller – lead and backing vocals
  • Jeanette Miller – lead and backing vocals
  • Eleanor Miller – lead and backing vocals

References
  1. Chavet, Zoe (October 13, 2011). "Corny Cole: Draw Every Day". Animation World Network. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  2. Beck, Jerry (2005). The Animated Movie Guide. Chicago Review Press. p. 54. ISBN 9781556525919.
  3. You're The One That I Want: Introducing Charlene of the Chipettes
  4. "Alvin, Simon and Theodore are Coming Back". September 11, 2006. Archived from the original on October 23, 2006.
  5. Janice Karman interview (Alvin and the Chipmunks & The Chipettes - from 2022)
  6. "'Alvin and the Chipmunks' Producers Reveal 'Squeakquel' Details – And The Chipettes Are In!". MTV. July 28, 2008. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  7. "'Justin Long Confirms 'Chipmunks' Sequel, But Will The Chipettes Be in It?'". MTV. July 28, 2008. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  8. Playboy Vol. 2, No. 6 June 1955
  9. Playboy Magazine, August 1955 (Vol. 2, No. 8)
  10. Playboy June 1956

Sources
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