Zoe



Zoe is a three-year-old orange monster who first appeared on Sesame Street in Season 25. She was designed in her color to complement Elmo, who was gaining popularity at the time of her introduction. Zoe was created to help balance what was then a predominately male cast of Muppets on the series.

Zoe was originally unclothed, apart from jewelry and barrettes (which she is never seen without). Since season 36, however, Zoe has often been seen wearing a tutu, because, like many girls of her age, she is obsessed with ballet. Her love of dance, in general, resulted in the video Zoe's Dance Moves.

She often rides a soapbox-style car around Sesame Street, called the Zoemobile. She has a pet rock, Rocco, much to Elmo's constant dismay.

Though it is likely she has many relatives, only the voice of her Aunt Chloe has been heard on the show. Recently, her Aunt Giselle, who lives in Swan Lake, sent her a tutu. This is a reference to the character of Giselle in the ballet Swan Lake.

From the book Sesame Street Unpaved: "From several possible designs of the character, 'I picked the one that had a face like Carol Channing,' says Fran Brill. 'I wanted her to be obviously female with jewelry and barrettes in her hair. Someone suggested we call her Frannie, since that's my nickname. But I didn't want a Muppet with my name, so I thought of the J.D. Salinger book Franny and Zooey, and suggested Zoe, which seemed to be just right."

To prepare for the character, Brill went to Manhattan preschools and watched 3-year-old girls play. One of the girls said to Brill the phrase which became an early catchphrase for Zoe, "Don't joke me."

Zoe's birthday is September 30. She owns a doll named Mimi.

Beginning with the 2005 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, more hair was added to Zoe, including pink and glittery hairs. Starting with season 40 in 2009, a smaller puppet will be used, based on the one created specifically for her role as Mousey the Hatter Helper in Abby in Wonderland.