'Sesame Street' introduces the first-ever Filipino American muppet who goes by the name TJ.
The Asian American Muppet, TJ, made his first appearance in the long-running children's show in a segment that tackles having confidence.
'Sesame Street' Debuts First Filipino Muppet
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 09: Sesame Street Characters (L-R) Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Abby Cadabby attend HBO Premiere of Sesame Street's The Magical Wand Chase at the Metrograph on November 9, 2017 in New York City.
According to Daily Mail, the first Filipino 'Sesame Street' Muppet showed up alongside the Korean American character, Ji-Young, and their human pal, Kal Penn, a former staff member at the White House during the Obama administration.
After several decades since the PBS children's show debuted in 1969, it is the first time that the show included a Filipino Muppet. The new character, TJ, made his first appearance in a segment of the children's show wherein Penn and Ji-Young talked about confidence.
The human character, Penn, told them what confidence is all about, explaining that it is "when you believe in yourself and your abilities." He further notes that confidence helps him when he is unsure of himself as he remembers that there are people who believe in and support him.
In response, the Korean American Muppet played her guitar since it gives Ji-Young the confidence she needs. Penn then asked TJ to share how he demonstrates his confidence.
The new Filipino character tells them that he is currently learning Tagalog, the native language of his family. TJ goes on to share that he is confident in learning the language as he can always ask for the assistance of his "Lola," the local term for grandma.
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Meet TJ: The First Filipino Muppet
As per CBS News, the new character on 'Sesame Street,' TJ, is the idea of Filipino American animator Bobby Pontillas. The voice actor and puppeteer, Yinan Shentu, plays the historical Muppet in the children's show.
The Fil-American animator shared the idea behind TJ in his recent Instagram post. He shared some sketches of the character before it debuted in its final form in the long-running show. Pontillas revealed that the appearance of the historical Muppet is actually based on what his real-life Filipino friends look like, namely Mateo and Max.
The Sesame Street director of talent outreach and inclusion and content development, Rosemary Espina Palacios, also a Filipino, is proud of the new character, NBC News reports.
Palacios says she is "so proud to help bring some Filipino representation to the neighborhood" as the Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month is fast approaching. She adds that she is excited for kids to see the new character as he shares his culture in the show.
NBC notes that 'Sesame Street' introduced the Korean American guitarist and skateboarder Ji-Young, last 2021 before debuting TJ, the first Filipino Muppet.
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