Brenda Song

Brenda Song (born March 27, 1988) is an American actress of Hmong and Thai descent. Born in Sacramento, California, Song began her career at the age of six, working as a child model. She made her screen debut with a guest appearance on the sitcom '' Thunder Alley'' (1995), and went on to roles such as the children's television series '' Fudge'' (1995) and the Nickelodeon series '' 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd'' (1999). She starred in the Disney Channel original film '' The Ultimate Christmas Present'' (2000), which won her a Young Artist Award. She subsequently signed a contract with Disney Channel and earned widespread recognition for playing the titular character in the action film '' Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior'' (2006), and London Tipton in '' The Suite Life'' franchise (2005–2011), earning her acclaim and two Young Hollywood Awards. She additionally played the recurring role of Tia in ''Phil of the Future'' (2004–2005), and had starring roles in the television film '' Get a Clue'' (2002), the sports comedy film '' Like Mike'' (2002) and the comedy film '' Stuck in the Suburbs'' (2004).

Song made her transition into mainstream roles with the critically acclaimed biographical drama film ''The Social Network'' (2010) and went on to roles in the ABC political thriller ''Scandal'' (2012–2013), the Fox sitcom '' New Girl'' and the sitcom '' Dads'' (2013). In October 2014, she signed a talent holding deal with Fox and 20th Century Fox Television and was subsequently cast in several television pilots for NBC and CBS, including the medical drama series '' Pure Genius'' (2016–2017) and the action drama series '' Station 19'' (2018–2020). She returned to Disney Channel to provide the voice of Anne Boonchuy in the animated series '' Amphibia'' (2019–2022), starred as Madison Maxwell in the Hulu comedy-drama series '' Dollface'' (2019–2022), and provides the voice of Princess Akemi in '' Blue Eye Samurai'' (2023–present). She also appeared in the romantic comedy '' Angry Angel'' (2017), the psychological thriller '' Secret Obsession'' (2019), the comedy-drama '' Changeland'' (2019), the romantic comedy '' Love Accidentally'' and the horror video-game '' The Quarry'' (both 2022).

Song earned renewed recognition for starring as a showgirl in the drama film '' The Last Showgirl'' (2024) and a chief of staff in the Netflix series '' Running Point'' (2025–present).

Early life

Brenda Song was born on March 27, 1988, in Carmichael, California, a suburb of Sacramento, to a Hmong father from Bangkok and a Thai mother who was adopted by a Hmong family. Her paternal grandparents were from the Xiong clan (熊; ''Xyooj'' in Hmong), but Americanized their surname to ''Song'' after arriving in the United States. Her parents were born in Thailand and met as adults in Sacramento. Her father works as a school teacher and her mother is a homemaker. She has two younger brothers named Timmy and Nathan Song.

When she was six years old, Song moved with her mother to Los Angeles to support her acting career; the rest of the family followed two years later. As a young girl, Song wanted to do ballet, while her younger brother wanted to take taekwondo. She said, "My mom only wanted to take us to one place," so they settled on taekwondo. Although Song cried all the way through her first class, she now holds a black belt in taekwondo. Song was named an All-American Scholar in the ninth grade. She was homeschooled and earned a high school diploma at age 16, then took courses at a community college. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2009, majoring in psychology and minoring in business.

Career

1990s: Beginnings

Song began in show business as a child fashion model in San Francisco after being spotted in a shopping mall by an agent from a modeling school. She began acting at the age of five or six in a Little Caesars commercial,Brenda Song
BrendaSongSite.com. Accessed December 11, 2008. and then a Barbie commercial. Her first film role was in the 1995 '' Requiem'', an AFI student short film by actress Elizabeth Sung. "She came in confident t the auditions She was very focused, and it was very obvious that she loved what she was doing," said Sung. The film is about a waitress/dancer named Fong who remembers her loving brother and their bittersweet childhood in Hong Kong. The seven-year-old Song played a young version of "Fong", who is portrayed as an adult by Tamlyn Tomita. The film won a CINE Golden Eagle award.CINE Golden Eagle Film & Video Competition: 1996 Winner Directory
(PDF). CINE. Accessed December 11, 2008. She appeared in another short film directed by Elizabeth Sung called ''The White Fox''. Song next appeared in two episodes of the television program '' Thunder Alley'', and was a regular in the children's television series '' Fudge'', in which she portrayed Jenny. Her theatrical film debut was in '' Santa with Muscles'', a 1996 independent film starring professional wrestler Hulk Hogan.

After a small role in '' Leave It to Beaver'' (1997), she appeared in the Nickelodeon television series '' 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd'', where she played Sariffa Chung in thirteen episodes. After ''100 Deeds'', she had a number of small parts in television shows such as '' 7th Heaven'', ''Judging Amy'', '' ER'', '' Once and Again'', '' The Brothers García'', '' Popular'', '' Bette'', ''The Bernie Mac Show'', '' The Nightmare Room'', '' For the People,'' and '' George Lopez''.

2000s: Breakthrough with Disney

Two of Song's early roles led to recognition in the Young Artist Awards. Her role in the 2000 Disney Channel Original Movie, '' The Ultimate Christmas Present,'' won her the award for "Best Performance in a TV Movie Comedy, Supporting Young Actress".22nd Annual Young Artist Awards
. YoungArtistAwards.org. Accessed February 10, 2008. The film centers on two teenage girls, Allison Thompson ( Hallee Hirsh) and Samantha Kwan (Song), who find a weather machine and make it snow in Los Angeles. Her 2002 appearance on ''The Bernie Mac Show'' led to her nomination for "Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series, Guest Starring Young Actress".24th Annual Young Artist Awards
. YoungArtistAwards.org. Accessed January 10, 2008. In the same year, she was in the 20th Century Fox family film '' Like Mike'', which grossed over $60 million.''Like Mike'' box office stats
, BoxOfficeMojo.com. Accessed December 11, 2008. The film stars rapper Bow Wow as an orphan who can suddenly play NBA-level basketball. Song portrays the character Reg Stevens, a thirteen-year-old orphan.

In 2002, Song signed a contract with Disney and appeared in the Disney Channel movie '' Get a Clue'' (alongside Lindsay Lohan). Song continued to make guest appearances in Disney sitcoms such as '' That's So Raven'' and '' One on One''. She had a recurring role as Tia in the Disney Channel series ''Phil of the Future'', appearing in seven episodes of the series in 2004 and 2005. In Summer 2004, Song starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie '' Stuck in the Suburbs'', portraying Natasha Kwon-Schwartz.Aaron Wallace (January 16, 2007)
Interview with Brenda Song
. UltimateDisney.com. Accessed December 11, 2008. The television premiere received 3.7 million viewers. The film is about two teenage girls living in suburbia who accidentally exchange cell phones with a famous teen singer. At age 15, she received an early acceptance letter from Harvard University that she turned down. Speaking of the time, she said, "My mom got breast cancer for the first time, I booked ''Suite Life'', and I was accepted into the college I'd always wanted to go to." Her father encouraged her to take the role on ''Suite Life.''In 2005, Song began appearing in the role of spoiled heiress London Tipton in the Disney Channel Original Series, '' The Suite Life of Zack & Cody''. The role was initially named "Paris" in an allusion to Paris Hilton. She got the role without an audition (April 2005). TheStarScoop.com. Accessed December 11, 2008. Song says, "London is my fantasy person, I wish I could be her. I wish I had her closet." The series is about the residents and workers at the fictional Tipton Hotel in Boston and mainly centers around the trouble-making twins, Zack and Cody Martin ( Dylan and Cole Sprouse). The series premiered on the Disney Channel on March 18, 2005, receiving four million viewers, making it the most successful premiere for the Disney Channel in 2005. The series earned a 2007 Young Artist Award for "Best Family Television Series (comedy)",28th Annual Young Artist Awards
. YoungArtistAwards.org. Accessed February 10, 2008. Emmy nominations for "Outstanding Children's Program" (twice) and "Outstanding Choreography", and three Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award nominations for "Favorite TV show" in 2007, 2008, and 2009. In 2006 Song earned an Asian Excellence Award nomination for "Outstanding Newcomer" for her part in the series.Asian Excellence Awards Nominees
(December 6, 2005). internationalnetworks.com. Accessed December 11, 2008.

After her debut on the ''Suite Life'' series, Song became a regular on the Disney Channel, and had a voice role in Disney Channel's '' American Dragon: Jake Long'' series. In 2006, Song had a voice-over role in ''Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn't Happen''. She later starred in an online series called ''London Tipton's Yay Me!''. Song was part of the Disney Channel Circle of Stars, a group of performers from several different Disney Channel television series. She was featured in the recording and music video of a version of " A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes", which was included on the special edition ''Cinderella'' platinum edition DVD and on the '' DisneyMania 4'' CD, released in April 2006. In the ''Suite Life'' High School Musical-themed episode, Song performed " Bop To The Top" and "Really Great". "Really Great" became the theme song for the online series, ''London Tipton's Yay Me!''. She sang "Bling Is My Favourite Thing" on another ''Suite Life'' episode. In these episodes, Song purposefully sang poorly in character as London Tipton. In 2008, Ian Scott wrote and produced demo songs for her, credited to Mark Jackson Productions.Producers
MarkJacksonProductions.com. Accessed December 11, 2008.

Song's first starring role as the title character was in the 2006 Disney Channel Original Movie '' Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior'',Albert Gutierrez (November 21, 2006)
''Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior: Kickin' Addition'' DVD Review
. UltimateDisney.com. Accessed December 11, 2008. which had over 5.7 million viewers at its premiere.Jeff Yang (June 23, 2006).
Warrior Women
". ''San Francisco Chronicle'', SFgate.com. Accessed December 11, 2008.R. Thomas Umstead (January 22, 2007).
Disney Movie Skips to Another Record
. ''Multichannel News''. Accessed December 11, 2008. Song was originally planned to play a supporting role, but was offered the lead after starting training in martial arts. Lydia Cook, one of the films's directors, said, "She had the perfect combination of wit and martial arts." The film was about a Chinese-American teenager whose life is turned upside down by a visit from a young Chinese monk ( Shin Koyamada); it also deals with Wendy's culture and heritage.Marissa Guthrie (June 16, 2006).
I was a teenage 'warrior'
. ''New York Daily News''. Accessed December 11, 2008. Disney Channel executive vice president Gary Marsh called the film "''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' meets '' Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon''" and said of Song: "She's incredibly talented, she's smart. She adds diversity to our network, and she's a real kid." Song felt she could relate to the character's struggles with her heritage since she knew little about her own people before making the film.Jaymie Moran (June 2006).
Brenda Song is Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior
". ''Asiance Magazine''. Accessed December 11, 2008. To promote the film, she posed for the cover of '' Seventeen'', ''Teen People'', '' Teen'', '' Seventeen'' Malaysia, and several other magazines, and traveled to Malaysia, Singapore, and Costa Rica. The film received positive reviews from critics. UltimateDisney.com called the film "a great showcase of talent in both acting and martial for Brenda Song." ''Allmovie'' described Song as a "charming and appealing personality".Craig Butler
Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior review
. allmovie.com. Accessed December 12, 2008. Song did most of her own stunt work for the film, with guidance from Koichi Sakamoto. According to ''The New York Times'', the film became a "star vehicle" for Song.

Song reprised her role as London Tipton in the ''Suite Life'' spin-off, '' The Suite Life on Deck''. The show's premiere on the Disney Channel drew 5.7 million viewers, and it became the most-watched series premiere on Canada's Family Channel. Disney ordered second and third seasons for the series. Song also starred as Paige in an animated television special for NBC, "Macy's Presents Little Spirit: Christmas in New York". In late 2008, Song made a special appearance at the grand opening of the RTA HealthLine in Cleveland. In May 2009, the cast of 'The Suite Life' became Disney Channel's longest running continuous characters on air. '' MSNs 2009 cover story on the series stated: "Song is one of the main reasons why the "Suite Life" franchise remains one of the most successful and highly rated series in the Disney stable." Also in 2009, she starred in the telefilm '' Special Delivery'', a film about a bonded courier, Maxine ( Lisa Edelstein) and a troubled teen, Alice (Song). The '' Daily Record'' called it a "likeable comedy". The Australian publication ''Urban CineFilm'' gave Song a positive review for her performance in the film. Song also appeared in the theatrical film '' College Road Trip'' with Raven-Symoné and Martin Lawrence.

2010s: Mainstream transition

In 2010, Song joined the main cast of Columbia Pictures' ''The Social Network'' alongside Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake. Song portrayed Christy Lee, a Harvard University student who dates Eduardo Saverin ( Andrew Garfield). Critically acclaimed, it is her first film to be inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. In October 2011, Song starred in the sci-fi/dance film ''Boogie Town'' in Los Angeles. The film is a retelling of the tragedy Romeo and Juliet and is set in a futuristic New York City where dance battles are permanently banned. Song plays the role of Natalie, the female lead. In 2012, Song starred in the short film ''First Kiss'' along with her ''Social Network'' costar Joseph Mazzello. ''First Kiss'' was screened at numerous film festivals throughout the US and won the Best Short Film award at the Omaha Film Festival and TriMedia Film Festival.

In 2012 and 2013, Song had a recurring role as Alissa in the TV series ''Scandal'' in the first and second seasons. In 2013, Song had a recurring role as Daisy in '' New Girl''. In August 2013, Song was cast in a leading role in the Fox television series ''Dads'', in which Song portrayed Veronica. The series' pilot episode was criticized by Asian-American watchdog groups because Song's character wore a stereotypical "sexy Asian schoolgirl" costume, which was deemed "racist" by watchdog groups. In an interview with ''Entertainment Weekly'', Song defended the series and denied the racism allegations. Fox refused to re-shoot the scenes. The series premiered September 17, 2013, but in May 2014, Fox canceled the series after only one season. In October 2014, Song signed a talent holding deal with Fox and 20th Century Fox Television to star in a television project. In April 2015, Song was cast in a regular role in the NBC comedy pilot ''Take It From Us''. In November 2015, Song was cast in the CBS series '' Life in Pieces'' as Bonnie.

In February 2016, Song was cast in the CBS pilot ''Bunker Hill''. Later renamed '' Pure Genius'', the series was picked up by CBS and aired during the 2016-2017 television season, but was canceled after one season. In March 2017, Song was cast as a series regular in the CBS pilot ''Real Life''. She was also cast in Seth Green's directorial debut '' Changeland'', on which she worked with her future husband, Macaulay Culkin. In August 2017, it was announced that Song would be starring in Freeform's first original holiday film, ''Angry Angel'', which premiered November 18, 2017. In March 2018, it was revealed Song would join the cast of '' Station 19'' for a multi-episode arc. In December 2018, it was announced that Song would star in the Netflix psychological thriller '' Secret Obsession''. The film was released on July 18, 2019. In January 2019, it was announced that Song would star in the Hulu television series '' Dollface'' alongside Kat Dennings. From 2019 to 2022, she voiced Anne Boonchuy in the Disney Channel animated series '' Amphibia''. She also appeared as a guest star in Aly & AJ's music video for the song "Star Maps", from their 2019 EP ''Sanctuary''.

2020s: Renewed recognition

In 2022, Song began appearing on '' The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder'', voicing news anchor Vanessa Vue. That same year, she starred as the lead character Alexa in the Amazon Freevee original movie '' Love Accidentally''. Radhika Menon of '' Decider'' wrote, "The film under-uses Brenda Song." Also in 2022, she was part of an ensemble cast featured in the horror game ''The Quarry''. In 2023, she began voicing Princess Akemi in the animated series '' Blue Eye Samurai''.

In an interview with ''The Hollywood Reporter'''s Seija Rankin, Song revealed that she found herself in a career slump in early 2023 and considered retiring. She was then cast as a showgirl in Gia Coppola's drama film '' The Last Showgirl'', in which she thought her role would surprise audiences since her character works in adult entertainment. ''The Last Showgirl'' was released in 2024 and won Song a shared award at the San Sebastián International Film Festival. The following year, she starred in the Mindy Kaling office comedy series '' Running Point''. Of her performance, ''Time'' magazine wrote, "Song is a force of high-energy competence as Isla's (Kate Hudson) right-hand woman, though some independent storylines would help her escape an under-developed sidekick role should the show get a second season." For both ''The Last Showgirl'' and ''Running Point'', Song was praised by ''Vanity Fair'' and media outlets for her career reinvention. Song herself credits these roles for allowing audiences to meet "the adult me."

Public image and activism

In 2005, an article "Maths Spotlight on... Brenda Song" in ''Scholastic Math'' included facts about Song and mathematical guidance from her. Song appeared alongside Paula Abdul and several other celebrities in a "Our Time to Vote" commercial, which aimed to encourage American citizens to vote during the 2008 presidential election. In 2006, '' CosmoGirl'' named Song the "Queen of Disney", citing her major contributions on Disney Channel. Song ranked ninth in Netscape's 2007 "Top 10 Pretty Petites in Entertainment", was voted one of AOL's "Top 20 Tween (and Teen) TV Stars",AOL's Top 20 Tween (and Teen) TV Stars
. Aol.com. Accessed April 4, 2008. and was ranked #3 on ''Maxims Asian Hot 100 of 2008 list. Song was also ranked #45 in AIM's "Top 100 Celebs Under 25" list. ''TV Guide'' listed her in its 2008 list of "13 Hottest Young Stars to Watch".TVGuide.com reveals tomorrow's tween stars today, overlooks mini Clay Aiken
(July 2, 2008). ''MTV Buzzworthy''. Accessed October 10, 2008. In 2009, Song was featured in Celebuzz's "Rising Stars" list; she was also described as one of "young Hollywood's most promising rising stars."Brenda Song: Friday the 13th Cutie
(February 10, 2009). ''celebrity-gossip.net''. Accessed February 28, 2009. In 2009, the blog Angry Asian Man named her one of the most influential Asian Americans under the age of 30.The 30 most influential Asian Americans under 30
blog.angryasianman.com. Accessed May 10, 2010.

In April 2008, a picture of Song was used in an ad for an escort agency in the ''LA Weekly''. A representative from Disney told TMZ.com, "This is an unauthorized use of Brenda Song's image and her personal attorney has issued a cease and desist to the advertiser." Song filed a libel suit seeking $100,000 in damages. Song stated, "As a role model to millions of young people, I feel I have to take a stand against this company in regard to its exploitation of my image."Natalie Finn (April 25, 2008)
Brenda Song Cries Foul
. E Online. Accessed April 26, 2008. The settlement was announced in March 2009.

In 2006, Song was hostess for the "A World of Change" annual charity fashion show to benefit Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services. She also supported the 10th Annual L.A. Cancer Challenge.Brenda Song participates The 10th Annual L.A. Cancer Challenge
''kintera.org'' Accessed 2007-10-21.--> In 2006 and 2007, she participated in the YMCA Healthy Kids Day in Chicago. She began hosting a Disney special daily segment called '' Pass the Plate'' in 2007, in which she helps children and their families learn more about nutrition and healthy food. The series is produced in ten countries in association with Disney Channel. Song returned for the second season of the miniseries. In 2008, Song was part of the "Power of Youth carnival," a benefit for the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. In 2009, Song participated in the "Diet Pepsi Easter Holiday House" event. She decorated an egg at the event that was sold in an online auction benefiting Feeding America.

Song was a spokesperson for Disney's environmental campaign, Disney's Friends for Change.Brenda Song Promotes Disney's Friends For Change
(May 4, 2009). BrendaSongSite.com. Accessed July 19, 2009 She was featured in several commercials on the Disney Channel for the campaign. The charity aimed to explain how children can help preserve the Earth and invited them to go to the Friends for Change website to register and pledge, offering them the chance to help choose how Disney will invest $1 million in environmental programs.The Walt Disney Company launches Disney's Friends for Change
(May 14, 2009). Disney Channel. Accessed June 5, 2009. In 2010, she was the celebrity endorser of the Walt Disney Company's Disney Cruise Line.Brenda Song Is The Disney Cruise Line's Spokesperson
(April 25, 2010). disneydreaming.com. Accessed May 10, 2010. In 2011, she was also the spokesperson of the clothing brand OP.Jackie Willis (August 24, 2011)
Brenda Song Joins 'Glee' Guys, Rob Kardashian for OP Ads
. celebuzz.com. Accessed August 8, 2012.

Personal life

From 2010 to 2017, Song was in an on-and-off relationship with musician Trace Cyrus, to whom she was engaged from 2011 to 2012. In 2018, Song shared that she was in a relationship with actor Macaulay Culkin, whom she met in June 2017 when they worked together on '' Changeland''; they were seen dating the following month. Their first son, Dakota Song Culkin, was born on April 5, 2021, and named after Culkin's deceased sister Dakota, who died in a car accident in 2008. After more than four years of dating, Culkin and Song were engaged in January 2022. Song and Culkin's second son, Carson Song Culkin, was born in December 2022. They live in Los Angeles.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Bibliography

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

Further reading

* Tamra Orr (2009). Brenda Song (A Robbie Reader). Mitchell Lane Publishers. .
* Katherine Rawson (2009). Brenda Song (Kid Stars!). PowerKids Press. .

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Song, Brenda
1988 births
20th-century American actresses
21st-century American actresses
Actresses from Los Angeles
Actresses from Sacramento, California
American child actresses
American child models
American female taekwondo practitioners
American film actresses
Film producers from California
American people of Hmong descent
American people of Thai descent
American actresses of Asian descent
Actors of Thai descent
Television personalities from Los Angeles
American women television personalities
American television actresses
American voice actresses
Living people
Female models from Los Angeles
People from Carmichael, California
American women film producers
Brenda Song