Pearl (Steven Universe)
| Pearl | |
|---|---|
| Steven Universe character | |
 |
|
| First appearance | "Pilot" (2013) |
| Created by | Rebecca Sugar |
| Voiced by | Deedee Magno Hall |
| Information | |
| Species | Gem |
| Gender | N/A (female pronouns used) |
Pearl is a fictional character from the 2013 animated series Steven Universe, created by Rebecca Sugar. She is a "Gem", a fictional alien being that exists as a magical gemstone projecting a holographic body.
She is portrayed as a loving, gentle and delicate character, who acts as a motherly figure for Steven. However, she also tends to be overprotective with him and have a low self-esteem; she is also deeply overwhelmed with the grief of Steven's mother, Rose, who she was madly in love with.
She is frequently praised for being a positive depiction of a queer character, though her strong obsession with Rose has been described as "unhealthy".
From the Pilot to "Gem Glow", Pearl underwent a total redesign. Originally having orange hair styled in a quiff and a much more intricate outfit by "Gem Glow" Pearl had the ballerina-esque design she retains for the first part of season one before her regeneration in "Steven the Sword Fighter". Pearl's voice actress, Deedee Magno, started voice acting at a young age for The All-New Mickey Mouse Club. She moved on to do Broadway performances in the 1990s and 2000s, such as Miss Saigon and Wicked, but was contacted by Rebecca Sugar to portray a role in Steven Universe in 2013. However, Pearl was her first major role in an animated series.
Alongside Garnet, Amethyst and protagonist Steven, Pearl is one of the Crystal Gems, a group of Gems that protect humanity and the Earth from danger. Pearl has been described as "intense [and] with a laser focus".
In the fictional Gem culture, Pearls are said to be "made-to-order servants" who serve other more important, higher-class Gems. Due to their status as simple servants meant for "standing around and looking nice and holding your stuff", they are seen as status symbols. Pearl displays a strong inferiority complex and issues with self-esteem stemming from the fact that, as a Pearl, she wasn't made to fight and therefore is weaker than others who are, like Amethyst, a Quartz, and Garnet, a fusion. Despite her struggles, Pearl learned to fight and became a formidable swordfighter.
...
Wikipedia