Bettina Bush's story as the voice of Rainbow Brite is a remarkable one that has left an indelible mark on generations. At just 12 years old in 1984, she took on the role that would become a beloved part of pop culture.

The Enduring Legacy of Rainbow Brite

Early Beginnings

Back in 1984, Bettina Bush was a 12-year-old voice actress with dreams of becoming an actress. She was working on her first series, The Littles, when producers asked her to read for a new role. That role was Wisp, who would later transform into the multi-colored heroine Rainbow Brite. "They brought in this black-and-white drawing of a girl named Wisp, and I just did the voice. And then I was cast," Bush recalls. This marked the beginning of a journey that would last for decades.Rainbow Brite's adventures took her on a journey to save her world from darkness. She teamed up with characters like Twink, Starlite, and the Color Kids. In the 40 years since Rainbow Brite premiered, the character has remained a favorite for loyal fans. In October, it was announced that Rainbow Brite would return to screens in a new TV series and film.

The Impact of Rainbow Brite

Bush explains that the reason for Rainbow Brite's enduring popularity is simple. "She is such a beacon of hope. She envelops and embodies all the positive things that set kids on fire, that get them excited," she says. Rainbow Brite's message of positivity is timeless. "If you're feeling down, look up. You might see a rainbow. Everybody feels that way," she adds.Back in the '80s, Rainbow Brite led a feature film, Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer. But it wasn't until the release of a Rainbow Brite album titled Paint a Rainbow in Your Heart that Bush realized the true magnitude of the phenomenon. "When that album came out, and it was so popular, that was when I was like, 'Okay, wait, this is kind of a bigger deal.' " A Christmas-themed Rainbow Brite album followed, and the character and her animated friends became a part of countless pieces of memorabilia.

Bettina Bush's Background

Bush was set on being an actress from a young age. She remembers being in a Christmas pageant when she was 4, being a little lamb around the nativity scene and being super meticulous about getting her lines right. Her father, Charles V. Bush, was the first Black graduate of the US Air Force Academy and the first Black Supreme Court page. "My dad, because of his background … he was very much like, you stay true to who you are, and you don't let anybody tell you who you are. You tell them who you are," she says. This support from her parents gave her the freedom to explore who she was and pursue her dreams.Other series Bush worked on as a young actor included The Karate Kid and My Little Pony. The latter was special because every episode had a new song. Bush continued to work in voiceovers as she grew up, including voicing Alisa Carmichael on Rugrats.

Family and Future

Now Bush is a mom of two: daughter Cassie, 14, and son Jesse, 13. Both have seen her work as Rainbow Brite, and Cassie even sang her mom's favorite Rainbow Brite song in a talent show. Bush's next projects include a children's book with NFL legend Keyshawn Johnson and a children's album. As a mom, she has a good idea of what works for kids and what delivers messages that land with them.For the Rainbow Brite reboot, Bush is "really hoping" to be involved. "It would be really fun to play a role, to write a song, to just be a part, to be included," she says. Until then, Rainbow Brite will always be alive in her heart.