Chell is the silent protagonist of the Portal series of games.
Alésia Glidewell
In Portal 1 we were introduced to Chell, and the only real background information provided about her came from the maniacal GLaDOS, so the believability of these facts is highly debatable. Valve writer Erik Wolpaw explained the vague nature of the character Chell as a design choice to immerse players in a direct relationship with GLaDOS, rather than have them observing as a third party.
More about Chell’s backstory is revealed in Portal 2, and of course I’m not going to spoilt that here. However, if you’d like to catch up on the story linking Portal 1 and Portal 2, then be sure to check out the Portal: Lab Rat web-comic.
Alésia Toyoko Glidewell is the lady behind the Chell model. Born in 1978, she is an American of Brazilian and Japanese descent, explaining Chell’s unique complexion and facial features.
In the Portal series of games, Chell is a silent protagonist. Glidewell however works as a voice-over artist – you can listen to some snippets of her voice and imagine a world in which Chell was once a beauty products saleswoman. Glidewell also owns a small film production company – Snagbuddy Films.
Glidewell began to crack into the voice-acting industry in 2003 and has steadily been making a name for herself, not least of all as a video gaming voice acting talent. Glidewell has also leant her voice and modelling skills to a number of video game characters over the years.
• Left 4 Dead – Zoey face model
• Starfox – Krystal
• Sly Cooper 2 – Neyla & Carmelita
• Super Smash Brothers Brawl – Krystal, Knuckle Joe & Zero Suite Samus
• Fear / Project Origin – Alma’s voice and motion-capture
• Demigods – Sedna
• Condemned 2 – Motion-capture for Rosa and Female Fighter
• Matrix Online – Motion-capture for all female characters
• Mojo Master – Tutorial voice and all ethnic female characters
• XNA – Motion-capture for Eve
Hopefully we will see more character development of Chell in future, and perhaps Glidewell will lend her voice to the character.
Ellen McLain (GLaDOS voice actress) and Alésia Glidewell (Chell model)
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