Such a tiny creature to carry such a hefty Hollywood franchise.
Moonie, a soulful Chihuahua who weighs all of five pounds, plays Bruiser in “Legally Blonde 2: Red White & Blonde,” the comedy sequel that has dug up more than $40 million.
As Bruiser, Reese Witherspoon’s cherished companion and comic foil, Moonie (full name: Moondoggie) doesn’t have any dialogue. So how does he steal the film? With a lavish wardrobe that included an angora pom-pom sweater and an ermine-collared cloak.
The studio called upon a specialist: doggie designer Yana Syrkin. Her Los Angeles boutique, Fifi & Romeo, is where Oprah, Cameron Diaz, Diane Sawyer, the British royal family and many other celebrities purchase their pooches’ threads.
“I met with [‘Blonde’s’ costume designer] Sophie de Rakoff Carbonell,” says Syrkin, who fashioned many of Bruiser’s outfits in the original film, “and she told me what colors Reese was wearing. I made 23 outfits for the dog [16 were used] as well as dog beds, collars and leashes and dog bowls.”
Whipping up a tiny, pleated pink gingham skort ensemble was one thing. Getting Moonie to wear it was another, as trainer Sue Chipperton will attest.
“This movie took a lot more preparation than the first one,” she says. “The clothes were one of the main challenges.”
Getting him comfortable with “Legally Blonde 2’s” signature retro look–especially that pink Jackie O pillbox–took patience and an ample store of chicken tidbit treats.
But Moonie is a pro, with a resume that includes appearances in a Cher music video and the NBC series “Providence” and “Three Sisters.”