The Enduring Magic of Britta Phillips

Before Comic-Con celebrations, streaming nostalgia, and reunion concerts, there was Jem and the Holograms—and there was the voice that made millions believe Jerrica Benton was real. 

That voice belonged to Britta Phillips. 

While fans remember the neon hair, holograms, and unforgettable fashion, it was Britta's soaring vocals that gave Jem her soul. Every anthem and heartfelt ballad carried an authenticity that helped transform a Saturday morning cartoon into a cultural touchstone still cherished four decades later. 

But Jem was only the beginning. 

Rather than chase fame, Britta followed the music wherever it led—from the dreamy landscapes of Luna and the cinematic elegance of Dean & Britta with husband Dean Wareham, to acclaimed film scores, acting, and a respected solo career. Each chapter revealed an artist guided by curiosity, craftsmanship, and heart rather than trends. 

Today, as Jem celebrates its 40th anniversary, Britta has come full circle. Comic-Con appearances, anniversary recordings, and generations of devoted fans prove that the connection between her and Jem has never faded—it has only grown stronger. 

Few artists can say their voice became part of people's childhoods. Even fewer can spend a lifetime creating music that continues to inspire long after the spotlight moves on. 

Britta Phillips didn't just sing for an icon. 

She became one herself.

Q. Before people knew your name, millions of fans around the world knew your voice as Jem. You became the singing voice behind one of the most iconic animated characters of the 1980s. What do you remember about walking into that world and realizing you were part of something special?

Britta Phillips: I had been a cocktail waitress at a heavy metal club since moving to Brooklyn from Pennsylvania—the drinking age was 18 then!—so I was thrilled to land my first real job as a singer.

I had no idea it would become iconic. I think that has slowly dawned on me over the years, especially after the overwhelming response I received on Instagram following my San Diego Comic-Con performance last week.

I had so much fun singing those songs, and I put everything I had into making them feel real. I hoped the work would be special, but I didn’t receive much feedback from fans until they grew up and got online.

Q. Jem and the Holograms wasn’t just a cartoon—it was music, fashion, empowerment, friendship, and imagination all rolled into one. Looking back 40 years later, why do you think Jem connected so deeply with fans and continues to inspire new generations?

Britta Phillips: I think the people who worked on the show were incredibly talented, cared deeply, and wanted to make something genuinely good, so we all gave it our best.

Anne Bryant was a wonderful composer, and Barry Harman was a serious lyricist who also wrote for television and Broadway. Anne would explain what was happening in the episode so I could get into character and understand what I was singing about.

Fans felt the show wasn’t talking down to them. It really had everything—danger, complicated romance, music, fashion, glamour, travel, runaways, and drugs.

Q. You were the voice behind songs like “Truly Outrageous” and so many of Jem’s signature moments. When you recorded those vocals, did you ever imagine those songs would still be loved decades later?

Britta Phillips: No, I never considered that they would still be remembered all these years later.

But I remember the songs I loved as a child, so I understand how impressionable that time can be. Nostalgia is incredibly powerful. It can give you chills and goosebumps and bring back happy feelings.

Q. The Jem legacy has never really disappeared. With the 40th-anniversary celebrations and your rerecording of classic Jem songs, what was it like stepping back into that musical universe after all these years?

Britta Phillips: I was so surprised and excited when I received a direct message from Hasbro. I thought it might be somebody playing a joke on me.

I had recently sung Jem songs at JemCon, so I had a little practice, but those songs are really challenging. I took a couple of voice lessons and began doing daily vocal exercises to get back into shape.

I was a little nervous going into the studio, but once I started recording, it was so much fun. It was also very emotional for me to sing those songs again.

Q. For many fans, your voice is Jem. What does it mean to know you helped create a character who became such an important part of people’s childhood memories?

Britta Phillips: It’s humbling, and I feel very lucky to be part of something that means so much to so many people.

I receive a tremendous amount of love from the fans. It’s very moving.

Q. Beyond Jem, you built an incredible career as a musician—from Luna to Dean & Britta to your solo album, Luck or Magic. How did those different chapters allow you to grow and discover new sides of yourself as an artist?

Britta Phillips: It has been a long and winding journey. I didn’t really plan any of it.

I’ve been very lucky, but I’ve also gone through difficult times, which makes me appreciate what I have even more. I had just about given up on music when I met my husband, Dean. He is the luckiest thing that ever happened to me. He’s my favorite DJ and introduced me to so much great music I had never heard before.

It has been a joy to explore different kinds of music and singing styles. I also love playing bass, and I played almost everything on my solo album aside from drums and guitar on a few songs Dean played.

That solo album was very important for me to make. I’d like to make another one if I can finish the lyrics. Writing—and especially finishing—lyrics is the hardest thing for me to do, but I always learn something about myself when I do it.

Nothing feels better than writing a song you really like, although putting it out into the world can be a little scary. I think it’s good to do things that push you out of your comfort zone.

Q. You’ve always existed in that beautiful space between dream pop, indie rock, and cinematic music. How would you describe your creative journey from the young singer behind Jem to the songwriter and musician you are today?

Britta Phillips: When I moved to New York City to pursue music, I had just come out of my Pat Benatar phase and was in the middle of my heavy metal phase. I had grown up on pop, disco, and classic rock. Then Madonna and Prince came along, and I was back into pop.

In 1987, I appeared in a movie called Satisfaction, and the actor Scott Coffey played me all this great alternative music I had never heard before. That changed everything.

Around that time, I met my ex-husband, joined his band, The Belltower, and moved to London for a few years. I had started writing songs at 18, but my style changed dramatically in the ’90s. I got into shoegaze, Pixies, Sonic Youth, and The Velvet Underground.

Then I met Dean in 2000 after separating from my ex, and I discovered all this incredible music that felt more mature—Nina Simone, Dusty Springfield, Scott Walker, Air, Ennio Morricone, John Barry, and Serge Gainsbourg. That completely changed the way I approached writing and singing.

I don’t think about what kind of song I want to write. I just sit down with a guitar or keyboard, start playing, hit record, and see what comes out. It’s a subconscious mixture of so many influences.

I love great music in almost every genre, and I love that people now embrace mixing genres instead of listening to only one kind of music.

The biggest change may be that I moved to New York City wanting to become a rock star, but eventually realized all I really wanted was to make a living creating and performing music. That is fulfilling enough for me. I don’t need or want to be a star.

Performing music is communal. It is an experience shared between the audience and the musician, and each needs the other to make it happen.

Q. You and Dean Wareham have created music together for years, including film scores for projects like The Squid and the Whale and Mistress America. What is different about writing music for a film compared to creating a traditional song?

Britta Phillips: It is a completely different process.

A score has to serve the film. It can’t distract from it. It’s almost alchemical—you try different things and see what happens. Does it make the film better? That is what matters.

There isn’t much room for a personal vision unless it happens to serve the picture. I usually begin with tempo because that determines the energy and pacing of a scene.

It’s challenging and incredibly fun to work on a great movie and try to understand what a director like Noah wants. Because he isn’t a musician, communication can take time and involve some trial and error. But he also has excellent taste in music, which helps tremendously.

Q. You also stepped into acting with films like Satisfaction and later voice work on projects like Moral Orel. How has acting influenced the way you approach music and storytelling?

Britta Phillips: I learn something from every one of those challenges.

I’m not sure acting has directly helped my lyric writing, but maybe it has in the same subconscious way everything else does.

I’m very instinctive as both an actor and a musician, so I often don’t have the words to explain how songs come out or even how they get finished.

The main thing is simply getting myself into a room without distractions—but that is often the hardest part.

Q. There is a new live-action Jem and the Holograms project in development, introducing the world of Jerrica Benton, Synergy, and Jem to a new generation. What emotions come up seeing a character you helped bring to life continue evolving?

Britta Phillips: I’m excited and optimistic. I’ll be thrilled if it’s good.

And it’s all a little surreal. Sometimes I think, “Is this really my life?” [Laughs]

Britta Phillips performs as Jem at San Diego Comicon | Photography by

The photographer for the live performance is by kincadenau

Q. With this new Jem chapter potentially bringing the story to a darker, more modern audience, what do you hope longtime fans and new fans understand about the heart of Jem and what she represents?

Britta Phillips: The hardcore fans probably know more about this than I do. They’re the ones who tell me what Jem represents.

But from what I’ve absorbed over the years, and what I personally feel, I would say the heart of Jem is love—and I don’t mean romantic love.

The characters were messy, not perfect. Their lives were complicated, but they got through it together as a family of friends rather than as a perfect little nuclear family. JemCon is one big, outrageous family.

Q. After four decades, your voice remains connected to a character who means so much to so many people. When you look back at the journey—from Jem to Luna, Dean & Britta, solo work, and everything in between—what do you hope people remember most about Britta Phillips?

Britta Phillips: Oh, boy! Whatever speaks to them personally—and that will be different for everyone.

I wouldn’t want to make that choice for anybody. I’m grateful to have been part of all those different musical incarnations, and they’re all part of me.

Q. If Synergy could look back through the holographic archives and show you every fan who was inspired by Jem because of your voice, your music, and that unforgettable era, what would you want to say to everyone who has kept the dream alive all these years? 💜✨

Britta Phillips: I would simply say that I’m honored and humbled. It makes me tear up.

Thank you.

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