By Kit Kittredge

The arrival of Christelle Valier has been the talk of the ‘Doll House’ - and not just with the today girls.  Everyone from Kirsten to Samantha to Molly has patiently (or in the today girls’ case impatiently) waited for the day Christelle would finally become the 15th sister to enter into the ‘DollHouse’. 

So, who exactly is Christelle Valier? Christelle is a today girl, so why should any historicals be interested, since she’ll probably spend all her time with Nicki, Jess and Anna? The answer is - she’s unique.  Christelle is a bit different from the rest of us American Girls - She’s French! So, how did she end up HERE of all places?After an inside interview with Christelle herself, I can tell you all the answers.

When her parents decided to get a divorce, Christelle Valier was miserable.  She had been a sunny, beautiful French girl with a bright future and many dreams ahead of her - those dreams did NOT include moving to America.  Her dreams were shattered when her mother and father began to fight endlessly over her mother’s choice to become a modern artist.  Christelle’s lawyer father, Pierre, thought that her eccentric mother, Renée, had her head way too high up in the clouds.  Renée decided to follow her dreams and leave behind whatever was holding her back - including her husband and France.  Of course, Renée wanted to live in a big city, since she had lived in and loved Paris her whole life, so she moved her and her daughter to Boston, where one of Renée’s old college friends resided.  They would stay with her friend until they were able to get on their feet.  Christelle was not very happy about this.  She would go from a fashionable, elegant Paris mansion to a shabby, crammed Boston apartment.  But Christelle, known for her optimistic attitude and glass-half-full outlook on life didn’t let this completely ruin her life.  She’s going to be joining a new school, and she can’t wait to meet new American friends.

So, who is Christelle? We know her story, but what is she like? What does she do? Christelle always loved the arts.  Her father was strict, and made sure she was always in school choir and in drama productions.  Her mother, who had been a ballet dancer earlier in her life and enjoyed skating in her spare time as a child, inspired Christelle to start ballet and figure skating at an early age.  Back in Paris, Christelle had so many skating and ballet practices that she couldn’t find time for anything else.  Lucky for her, the lessons she’ll be taking here in Boston are only one day a week for ballet and two days a week for figure skating, so now she’ll be able to continue with choir and drama, maybe even private vocal lessons!

AN INSIDE Q & A WITH CHRISTELLE! 

During our interview I had some time to ask Christelle a few questions about her life in Paris, what she thinks about America, her hopes and dreams - just about EVERYTHING! Enjoy!

KIT: Bonjour, Christelle! I’m so happy to get to be the FIRST ever reporter to interview you!

CHRISTELLE: Merci, Kit! Thanks for having me.

K: So, Christelle, what was your favorite thing about Paris?

C: Hmmm...it sounds cheesy, but everything.  The fashion, the people, the language, just the overall vibe! I guess I’m just a Parisian at heart!

K: That’s too bad, since you had leave the city - how did you feel when your mom first broke the news to you?

C: Unfortunately, it was my dad...and he gave me the news about the divorce at the same time.

K: That’s just plain...TERRIBLE!

C: Yes, I know...but I knew the divorce was coming, I’d simply been waiting for it to happen for years.  My parents were always fighting, they’re exact opposites.  To answer your question, Kit, when I was told I was leaving Paris I broke out in tears and threw my pillow in the shape of the Eiffel tower at my dad, and I didn’t talk to him at all, so basically the last words I said to him were “I hate you”.  

K: What a mess! 

C: Yes, I REALLY regret it.  I’d give anything to tell my dad I love him right now.

K: I’m sure! Christelle, you speak English VERY well for a person who’s lived in France their whole life and is just 13!

C: Merci! You see, in France - at least in my school - we start learning English in first grade.

K: That’s cool! Speaking of the French school system, isn’t very different from the American one?

C: OUI, OUI!!! I’m looking forward to sleeping in on Saturday mornings, but it will be hard going to school for a whole day on Wednesday!

K: Ouch! That should be hard.  So, what are some stereotypes about Americans in France?

C: Oh no...must I...?

K: Please!

C: Okay...well...urm...they’re...fat, lazy, unfashionable and loud...should I go on?

K: Please don’t.  That was pretty harsh...

C: I know I shouldn’t have said anything...

K: Don’t worry about it.  So, what are you looking forward to doing in America?

C: Meeting new friends, really getting to know the language, visiting museums and learning about the culture.

K: America’s great because we’re a melting pot of different cultures! In fact, you’ll meet Jess and Ivy, who are Asian, Nellie, who’s Irish, Josefina, who’s New-Mexican and Emily and Elizabeth, who are English.

C: How cool! It will be such fun to meet them!

K: Well it was loads of fun meeting you Christelle, thanks for the interview.  I can’t wait to chat with you more!

C: De rien, Kit! Au revoir!

So I hope you enjoyed meeting the latest - 15th - addition to our AG ‘family’! I just know everyone will love Christelle as much as I do the second they see her!

‘Au revoir’ (HeHe)

your favorite reporter EVER

Kit Kittredge