Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation, Venus de Milo's (Nicole Parker) Hero Belt

original movie costume

This turquoise-colored leather belt with resin emblem buckle was worn by actress Nicole Parker in her role as Venus de Milo in the short-lived 1997 FOX television series Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation. One of only three made, this particular belt is marked "hero" on the inside.

Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman came up with the idea of introducing a fifth Turtle in 1994, sketching out designs for a male character called Kirby, as a homage to a personal inspiration of his, comic book legend Jack "King" Kirby. Kirby would have featured prominently in a fourth live-action movie as a mutant from a parallel dimension who meets up with Leonardo, Raphael, Michaelangelo, and Donatello.

Although that film ultimately went unproduced, Eastman brought his work over to Saban Entertainment, the production company behind the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, to brainstorm a television program. At the last minute, FOX Kids President and CEO Margaret Loesch requested that the newest Turtle become female, revising the origins story to include an extra Turtle in the glass jar that Splinter neglects to pick up.

As a baby, this lone female Turtle floats down to Chinatown, where a Shaman adopts her with the name Mei Pieh Chi (Chinese for "Beautiful Turtle of Energy"). Together, they travel to Shanghai, where the girl Turtle trains in the internal arts of Shinobi mysticism for 17 years, until she finally learns of her American roots. Returning to the sewers of New York City, she joins the rest of the Turtles under a new alias, "Venus de Milo," using her powers of the mind and heart to battle against the dreadful Dragon Lord and his Rank Dragons.

Based on promotional material, which emphasizes the Turtles are not biologically related, it is thought that she would have developed into a love interest for one of the green teens had The Next Mutation continued for a second season.

One of the most controversial characters in the history of the franchise, Peter Laird, the other co-creator of the Turtles, has called Venus the epitome of "all that is stupid and shallow about Hollywood," and reportedly barred TMNT (2007) director Kevin Munroe from even acknowledging her existence.