Editor's note: Rugrats in Paris: The Movie opens Friday. Recently Xpress film critic Billy Norris had the chance to talk with two people who are very interested in the movie's debut: Cheryl Chase, the voice of 3-year-old Angelica Pickles, and Angelica herself -- who, you might guess, displayed no shortage of confidence.

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Billy: So why do you think Rugrats has been such a successful show for 10 years?!?

Angelica: Well, actually because I think we're the best show on Nickelodeon, and kids can see that we're the most funny.

You better believe it! Not only am I smart, I am the most beautiful-est girl and the most beautiful-est talented princess in the world.

Billy: Sure you are, Angelica!

Angelica: And I'm a fabulous movie star and TV star, too!

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The voice acting career of Cheryl Chase, who gives life to television's beloved brat Angelica, took off about 10 years ago when the Rugrats television series premiered on Nickelodeon.

At first, the New Jersey native auditioned for the parts of Tommy, Phil and Lil, the characters developed for a TV pilot (a kind of test show to see whether network officials like a concept). She wasn't chosen for those parts but just figured, "Oh well, what are you going to do?"

A year and a half later, Nickelodeon picked up the show, and producers added new episodes and characters, including Angelica and Chuckie. Chase was called back to audition and landed the part of Angelica, and the rest is Rugrats history. Chase has done other voice-over roles, including the part of Baby Elizabeth in the movie Baby Boom and parts in the animated Big Cartoonie Show and Ren & Stimpy Show.

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Billy: So why do you think Rugrats has been so successful?

Cheryl: Stephen Spielberg once said in a newspaper article that "Rugrats is the Peanuts of our time."

(Cheryl said she agreed with Spielberg, because the Rugrats characters are easy to relate to, in a way similar to the Peanuts characters, and parents enjoy watching Rugrats with their kids, too.)

Billy: The show is recorded in Hollywood but sent overseas to be animated in Korea. A lot goes into making each episode. Tell me about that.

Cheryl: The voice recording is one of the first things we do after getting the script. Then the artists are sitting at their desks with their tape recorders, headphones on their ears, listening to the performance while they're drawing. It gives them more freedom to be more creative with their pencils if we are more wacky and funny and crazy!

From the time the writers write the episode, and we record it, and the artists draw it and animate it, it's a year and a half before it gets to TV.

Billy: So, could I talk to Angelica about this new movie that is about to be released?

Angelica: Let's see -- I can tell you some things about it. Well, the new movie is called Rugrats in Paris and, ummmmmmm, I'm the most beautiful movie star of all in the movie. We all go over to Paris, and we have to go to Reptarland because something is wrong with one of the Reptar rides. And, some funny things happen; well, Chuckie gets a new sister, and a new mommy -- if you can believe that. I don't want to tell you too much secrets! Spike has a special part in this movie, 'cause he gets to have a girlfriend. Maybe she'll have puppies. We don't know! We'll find out!

Billy: Well, Angelica, Chuckie told everyone on http://www.nick.com that there's a new Rugrat named Kimi.

Angelica: Yeah, that's the new sister. I'm not real happy about having another girl around the house, if you know what I mean!

Billy: Chuckie also told us Kimi is not afraid of anything -- not even you! What do you think about that?!?

Angelica: Well, you know, she just better stand in front of my face and say that, because if she says it to my face, I think I'm gonna knock her block off!!!

Billy: I've got just one more question, Angelica.

Angelica: Okay, whadya want????

Billy: I wanted to know if there was anything else Angelica Pickles wanted to share with all the rugrats out there who will be reading this story.

Angelica: I'd like to say "thank you, thank you, thank you" to all my wonderful fans out there who love me and all the other Rugrats, 'cause we sure like making all our shows for you and giving you so much fun and joy!

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Cheryl Chase shared another interesting tidbit about an actor she worked with on the film, Dion Kuan, the voice for the new character, Kimi.

"She is blind. When she goes into the recording studio, she has her script in Braille that she reads with her hands when she gives a performance. I worked with her once and I thought, my goodness, how amazing!"

Billy Norris, 12, is in the seventh grade at Seminole Middle School and is a former member of the Times' X-Team.

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