Jerrica (film)

Jem (film) redirects here.

For other uses, see Jerrica (disambiguation).

Jerrica
Full name	Jerrica Benton
Alias	Jem
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Starlight Music
Occupation	Lead vocalist of The Holograms
Family	Emmet Benton (father) † Kimber (sister) Aja (foster sister) Shana (foster sister) Bailey (aunt)
Played by	Aubrey Peeples Isabella Rice (young Jerrica)
Appearances	Jem and the Holograms (film)

Jerrica Benton, known to the rest of the world as the media superstar phenomenon, Jem, is a character and the main protagonist of the 2015 musical, fantasy, adventure film, Jem and the Holograms. She is loosely based on the character of the same name and her alter ego from the original 1980s animated series, Jem.

She was played by Aubrey Peeples.

Plot

Jerrica in her podcast.

Jerrica Benton is a musically-talented but very insecure teenage girl still coping with the loss of her father at an early age. After his passing, she, along with her little sister, Kimber, went to live with their aunt, Bailey, where both girls were introduced to their two new foster sisters, Aja and Shana. Together, the five of them quickly became one big loving family, with each of the girls developing a unique talent as they grew up.

Jerrica is a talented singer, musician and songwriter, but likes to keep all of this to herself. Kimber, on the other hand, is very enthusiastic, ever dreaming on becoming a pop star someday and always trying to encourage her older sister to overcome her fears and convince her to let the world know how important she really is.

Jerrica dresses in a homage to her original animated series counterpart.

One day, Kimber asks Jerrica to help her shoot a homemade music video with the rest of her sisters, to which the latter reluctantly accepts. The four girls dress themselves as glam pop stars and sing a song in their garage, while her aunt tenderly watches from inside the house. Moments later, a package arrives to the house containing an eviction notice, which Jerrica receives. She confronts her aunt, realizing that if they lose the house, the four girls could end up being separated.

That night, and deeply saddened by the news, Jerrica feels the need to share her feelings with somebody, so she tries to record a song using Kimber's camera. After a few attempts, and not feeling comfortable with opening herself just as she is, she decides to wear the same costume she used earlier. This gives her enough confidence to continue and presents herself to the camera as "Jem", a pet name her father used to call her when she was little. After getting her camera back and finding the video in it, Kimber decides to upload it on YouTube and other media networks.

Adopting her new persona, Jem records herself singing.

The video unexpectedly becomes viral almost instantly and by the next day the girls learn that Starlight Enterprises' CEO, Erica Raymond, is offering this "Jem" –whoever she is– a music contract. Not wanting to open herself to the rest of the world all of the sudden, but at the same time realizing that the money involved would help her save the house, Jerrica contacts Erica and, after a brief negotiation, she accepts.

The next day, the girls are taken to Starlight's facilities in Los Angeles, California, Jerrica and Kimber's hometown. There, Jerrica is introduced to Rio, a college intern in charge of their security and also Erica's son. A spark between both ignites almost instantly. After a hard day's work, they are taken to their new house, a luxurious residence nicknamed the Starlight Mansion.

That night, as they're sleeping, Synergy, a little robot made by Jerrica's father prior to his death, suddenly activates itself and sends the girls on a scavenger hunt all over California to find the missing parts needed to complete it - a journey where Jerrica will learn who she really is and value the things in life that really matter.

Jerrica signs a long-term solo contract with Starlight.

During the course of this adventure, however, Jerrica learns that her aunt has lost the appeal to keep the house and that she only has a few days left before she has to move. Desperate, Jerrica asks Erica for an advancement, to which Erica gladly accepts... with the condition of signing a long-term solo contract with Starlight. Not wanting to abandon her sisters, Jerrica tries to argue back, only to be informed by Erica that Starlight owns the "Jem" name, imagery and everything related to it, and that she can replace her anytime she wants. Defeated, and much to her dismay, Jerrica accepts to sign the contract.

Unable to tell the truth, Jerrica takes the blame for what her sisters believe is a betrayal.

When her sisters learn of what they think is a betrayal, they coldly ditch Jerrica and leave. The rockstar known as Jem becomes incredibly popular worldwide during the next few days, although Jerrica suffers inside for having done what she thought was best for everyone. Fortunately, the girls eventually come to terms and reunite once again. After realizing that the earrings her father gave to Jerrica before his passing are actually Synergy's last missing pieces, and which are now in Erica's possession, they, along with Rio, devise a plan to break into Starlight and get them back. They succeed in this enterprise, which allows Synergy to project a hologram with a goodbye message to Jerrica from her father. Additionally, Rio finds his father's will inside the safe where the earrings were stored.

Jem becomes a media sensation!

On her next concert, Jem formally introduces her sisters as her band. Erica arrives and tries to stop them, but Rio takes control of the situation, revealing that his father's will allows him to take over Starlight as soon as he feels he's ready. He has his mother taken out of the building by Zipper, Erica's former henchman, and the show goes on. After performing, Jerrica and Rio kiss, and later she ends her podcast with a big smile.

Gallery

Young Jerrica.

An old homemade video with Emmett, Jerrica, and Kimber.

Jerrica learns they could lose the house.

Jerrica wears the star-shaped earrings her father gave her before passing away.

Emmett teaching Jerrica to make the "sign of the horns".

A young Jerrica arrives just as Emmett finishes saying goodbye.

At the end, she smiles and ends her podcast.