New Jersey Native Ready To Host ‘Blues Clues’ Reboot (VIDEO)

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A New Jersey native is set to debut as the host of the much-anticipated reboot of Nickelodeon’s “Blues Clues.”

Nick Jr. released a sneak peek of “Blue's Clues & You” on Wednesday, which stars Montclair State University alum Joshua Dela Cruz (class of 2011). Dela Cruz – who grew up watching the original run of “Blue’s Clues” – follows in the footsteps of Steve Burns and Donovan Patton, who portrayed the characters “Steve” and “Joe.”

“He can definitely fill my shoes… and the rugby shirt,” Burns told Entertainment Weekly, offering a hearty endorsement for the show’s new host.

Dela Cruz, a Bergenfield native, attended New Milford High School, where he was a part of their theater department, The Montclarion reported.

He first began to turn heads after his lead role in a school play called “The Bagel Factory,” which was written by fellow MSU alumnus Robert McClure. That role earned him a nomination for a Papermill Playhouse Rising Star Award for the best leading actor in a musical, which he parlayed into a scholarship with the nonprofit’s renowned conservatory program, according to The Montclarion.

Soon, Dela Cruz was taking performing arts classes at Montclair State, and with the encouragement of his sister, began singing in musicals to hone his skills. After a lengthy role as an understudy in “Aladdin” on Broadway, the actor’s agent eventually landed him his auspicious audition as the potential host of “Blue's Clues & You,” The Montclarion reported. (Read the full article here)

Many fans of the show praised the decision to hire an Asian-American man for the lead role.

“As a little kid, I NEVER saw an Asian dude on the kiddie shows (or any shows),” one excited fan wrote online. “I’m bout to watch this new Blues Clues just to support my PEOPLES! We out here in 2019.”

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