Lalaine Vergara-Paras (born June 3, 1987) is an American actress, singer-songwriter, and bassist. She is best known for her roles as Miranda Sanchez in ''
Lizzie McGuire
''Lizzie McGuire'' is an American television comedy, comedy television series created by Terri Minsky that premiered on Disney Channel on January 12, 2001. The series stars Hilary Duff as the titular character who learns to navigate the person ...
'', Abby Ramirez in ''
You Wish!'', and Kate in the 1999 remake of ''
Annie''.
After appearing in the roles of Young
Cosette
Cosette () is a fictional character in the 1862 novel ''Les Misérables'' by Victor Hugo and in the many adaptations of the story for stage, film, and television. Her birth name, Euphrasie, is only mentioned briefly. As the orphaned child of an ...
and
Éponine
Éponine Thénardier (; ), also referred to as "Ponine", the "Jondrette girl" and the "young working-man", is a fictional character in the 1862 novel ''Les Misérables'' by Victor Hugo.
The character is introduced as a spoiled and pampered child, ...
in a Broadway musical production of ''
Les Misérables
''Les Misérables'' (, ) is a 19th-century French literature, French Epic (genre), epic historical fiction, historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published on 31 March 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. '' ...
'' as a child, Lalaine pursued a career in music. She signed with Warner Bros. Records following the end of ''Lizzie McGuire'' and released one studio album and one extended play, both of which saw little commercial success.
Early life
Lalaine Vergara-Paras was born in
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in the southeastern end of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Located northwest of downtown Los Angeles, Burbank had a Census-estimated population of 102,755 as of 2023. The city was ...
, to Filipino parents.
She has three older siblings. She spent most of her early years in Burbank and
Sherman Oaks
Sherman Oaks (founded in 1927) is a neighborhood of the city of Los Angeles, California within the San Fernando Valley region. The neighborhood includes a portion of the Santa Monica Mountains, which gives Sherman Oaks a lower population densit ...
, California, then joined the Broadway National Touring cast of ''Les Misérables'' as Little Cosette. After the tour Lalaine and her mother resided in Sherman Oaks.
Career
Acting career
Lalaine is normally credited by her first name only,
["Lalaine Paras"]
August 14, 2007, Buddy Tv later stating in 2019 that she didn't use her surname because it sounded too "Hispanic/ethnic".
Her acting career began when she was cast in the Broadway production of ''
Les Misérables
''Les Misérables'' (, ) is a 19th-century French literature, French Epic (genre), epic historical fiction, historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published on 31 March 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. '' ...
'' in the roles of Young Cosette and Eponine.
[ Lalaine made her film debut in 1999 as Theresa in ''Borderline''. Lalaine co-starred with ]Alicia Morton
Alicia Morton (born April 29, 1987) is an American former actress, singer, dancer, drama teacher, and veterinarian technician. She starred as Annie Bennett Warbucks in the 1999 Wonderful World of Disney production of '' Annie'', which was based ...
as Kate in the 1999 remake of ''Annie (1999 film)
''Annie'' is a 1999 American musical comedy drama television film from '' The Wonderful World of Disney'', adapted from the 1977 Broadway musical of the same name by Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin, and Thomas Meehan, which in turn is based ...
''. ''Annie'' aired on The Wonderful World of Disney
The Walt Disney Company has produced an anthology television series since 1954 under several titles and formats. The program's current title, ''The Wonderful World of Disney'', was used from 1969 to 1979 and again from 1991 onward. The program mo ...
on November 7, 1999. In 2000, she was cast as Miranda Sanchez on the Disney Channel teen sitcom ''Lizzie McGuire'', alongside Hilary Duff
Hilary Erhard Duff (born September 28, 1987) is an American actress, singer, author and businesswoman. She is the recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Hilary Duff, various accolades, including a World Music Awards, World Mus ...
. She appeared in 59 episodes until a "falling-out (that was) beyond repair" with Duff in the final stretch of filming of the television series led to her being let go early from her contract. "I don't believe that Hilary wanted her to be part of the movie," ''Lizzie McGuire'' casting director Robin Lippin said. "It probably would have been uncomfortable for both of them." As a result, Lalaine missed the last 6 episodes produced for the show, which wrapped up filming in late June 2002. Lalaine was also absent in ''The Lizzie McGuire Movie
''The Lizzie McGuire Movie'' is a 2003 American teen comedy film directed by Jim Fall. The film serves as the finale of the Disney Channel television series ''Lizzie McGuire'' and was the first theatrical film based on a Disney Channel series ...
'' which filmed about 4–5 months after the show wrapped up filming. At the time of the movie, Lalaine was doing concert tours with Radio Disney and filming '' You Wish!''.
After ''Lizzie McGuire''
She starred alongside A.J. Trauth, Spencer Breslin
Spencer Breslin (born May 18, 1992) is an American actor and songwriter. He has appeared in feature films, including '' Disney's The Kid'', '' The Santa Clause 2'', '' The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause'', ''The Cat in the Hat'', '' Rais ...
, and Tim Reid
Timothy Lee Reid Sr. (born December 19, 1944) is an American actor, comedian and film director best known for his roles in prime time American television programs, such as Venus Flytrap on ''WKRP in Cincinnati'' (1978–82), Marcel "Downtown" Br ...
in the 2003 Disney Channel Original Movie '' You Wish!'' as Abby Ramirez. Lalaine portrayed Chloe
Chloe (; ), also spelled Chloë, Chlöe, or Chloé, is a feminine name meaning "blooming" or "fertility" in Greek. The name ultimately derives, through Greek, from the Proto-Indo-European root , which relates to the colors yellow and green. Th ...
, a young Slayer-In-Training who dies by suicide, on the television series ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer
''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' is an American supernatural fiction, supernatural drama television series created by writer and director Joss Whedon. The concept is based on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer (film), 1992 film, also written by Whedon, a ...
''.
In 2009, she appeared in the film ''Royal Kill
''Royal Kill'' (also released under the title ''Ninja's Creed'') is a 2009 American psychological action thriller film directed by Babar Ahmed and starring Eric Roberts and Pat Morita, along with Lalaine and professional wrestler Gail Kim. The ...
'' along with Eric Roberts
Eric Anthony Roberts (born April 18, 1956) is an American actor. He has amassed more than 700 film and television credits since his debut in 1978, making him one of the most prolific English-speaking screen actors of all time.
Roberts' career ...
and Pat Morita
Noriyuki "Pat" Morita (June 28, 1932 – November 24, 2005) was an American actor and comedian. He began his career as a stand-up comedian, before becoming known to television audiences for his recurring role as diner owner Matsuo "Arnold" Takah ...
. In 2010, Lalaine also appeared in ''Easy A
''Easy A'' (stylized as ''easy A'') is a 2010 American teen romantic
comedy film directed by Will Gluck, written by Bert V. Royal, and starring Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Thomas Haden Church, Patricia Clarkson, Cam Gigandet, L ...
'' starring Emma Stone
Emily Jean "Emma" Stone (born November 6, 1988) is an American actress and film producer. Her accolades include two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. In 2017, she was the world's highest-paid actr ...
in a small role as a gossiping girl. In July 2011, Lalaine was featured in a Shane Dawson
Shane Lee Yaw (born July 19, 1988), known online as Shane Dawson, is an American YouTuber, actor, filmmaker, writer, and musician. Dawson was one of the first people to rise to fame on YouTube after he began making videos in 2008 at the age of ...
video titled "Urban Legendz" She was also featured in another one of Shane's videos titled "Hot Chick or Cat Lady?". In 2018, Lalaine starred as Stacy in the film ''One Night Alone''. Lalaine has since starred in two new movies ''The Man with the Red Balloon'' as Green Balloon/Balloonless Woman and ''Definition Please'' as Krista. Lalaine and former ''All That'' star Lori Beth Denberg
Lori Beth Denberg (born February 2, 1976) is an American actress and comedian. She is best known for her work as an original cast member of the Nickelodeon sketch comedy series ''All That'' and for her role as Lydia Liza Gutman on The WB sitcom ' ...
co-starred in the web series ''Raymond and Lane''. In 2019, Lalaine guest starred on ''Christy's Kitchen Throwback'' starring former ''Even Stevens
''Even Stevens'' is an American comedy television series produced by Brookwell McNamara Entertainment that originally aired on Disney Channel from June 17, 2000, to June 2, 2003, airing a total of 65 episodes spanning three seasons. It follows ...
'' and ''Kim Possible
''Kim Possible'' is an American animated Action comedy TV series, action comedy television series created by Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle for Disney Channel. The Kim Possible (character), title character is a teenage girl tasked with saving ...
'' star Christy Carlson Romano
Christy Carlson Romano (born March 20, 1984) is an American actress, podcaster, and singer. On the Disney Channel, she played Ren Stevens on ''Even Stevens'' and voiced the titular character from ''Kim Possible''.
Early life
Romano was born o ...
.
In 2024, Lalaine was announced as the narrator for the audiobook version of Ashley Spencer's ''Disney High: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel's Tween Empire''.
Music career
In 2003, Lalaine released her only album ''Inside Story''. Lalaine wrote six songs on the album, including "Life Is Good", "Can't Stop", and "Save Myself". She worked with Radio Disney
Radio Disney was an American radio network operated by the Disney Radio Networks unit of Disney Branded Television within Disney General Entertainment Content, headquartered in Burbank, California.
The network broadcast music programming ...
, performing her songs in Southern California, and went to Hawaii with Disney's Imagineers to promote ''Inside Story''. That same year she was signed to Warner Bros. Records
Warner Records Inc. (known as Warner Bros. Records Inc. until 2019) is an American record label. A subsidiary of Warner Music Group, it is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. It was founded on March 19, 1958, as the recorded music division ...
and released her only EP ''Haunted''.
In 2005, she performed on the last episode of ''All That''. The following year, she released a single, "I'm Not Your Girl" and remade the song "Cruella DeVil" for the albums ''DisneyMania 3'' and ''Disneyremixmania''. In 1999, she sang on the soundtrack for ''Annie''. In 2004, Lalaine sang "If You Wanna Rock" on the soundtrack for the Disney Channel Original Movie ''Pixel Perfect
''Pixel Perfect'' is a 2004 American Science fiction film, science fiction comedy film released as a List of Disney Channel original films#Disney Channel Original Movies, Disney Channel Original Movie. It aired in the United States on January 1 ...
''.
She played bass guitar in the band Vanity Theft in 2010. In 2011, Lalaine was asked to leave Vanity Theft.
In 2011, Lalaine sang on the song "Different" as part of the "Artists Against Hate".
Legal issues
In July 2007, Lalaine was arrested and charged with felony
A felony is traditionally considered a crime of high seriousness, whereas a misdemeanor is regarded as less serious. The term "felony" originated from English common law (from the French medieval word "''félonie''") to describe an offense that r ...
possession of methamphetamine
Methamphetamine (contracted from ) is a potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is mainly used as a recreational drug use, recreational or Performance-enhancing substance, performance-enhancing drug and less commonly as a secon ...
. Lalaine pleaded guilty to the felony possession charge. A $50,000 bench warrant
An arrest warrant is a Warrant (law), warrant issued by a judge or magistrate on behalf of the state which authorizes the arrest and Detention (Imprisonment), detention of an individual or the search and seizure of an individual's property.
Cana ...
was issued for Lalaine after failing to appear at a mandatory court hearing regarding her case. The bench warrant was later recalled by the judge. She completed court mandated drug rehabilitation
Drug rehabilitation is the process of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment for dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and street drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and amphetamines. The general int ...
at a facility in Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a coastal city in southeastern Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is the list of United States cities by population, 44th-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 451,307 as of 2022. A charter ci ...
. The felony possession charge was expunged upon completion of the program, as part of her plea deal.
Filmography
Film
Television
Web series
Discography
Albums
* 2003 - ''Inside Story''
Soundtracks
* 1999 - '' Annie (1999 film soundtrack)''
* 2004 - ''Pixel Perfect''
* 2005 - ''Disneymania 3
''Disneymania 3'' is the third installment in the Disneymania album series presenting songs from Disney films, performed by various musical artists. The album was released on February 15, 2005 and was certified Gold soon after. It peaked at #30 o ...
''
* 2005 - '' Disneyremixmania''
EPs
* 2004 - ''Haunted EP''
Singles
* 2003 - "You Wish"
* 2005 - "I'm Not Your Girl"
Other songs
* "Did You Hear About Us?" – B-side of "I'm Not Your Girl"
Awards and nominations
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lalaine
1987 births
Actresses from Burbank, California
20th-century American actresses
21st-century American actresses
American actresses of Filipino descent
American child actresses
American child singers
American people convicted of drug offenses
American women singer-songwriters
American film actresses
American musicians of Filipino descent
American women pop singers
American rock bass guitarists
American rock songwriters
American rock singers
American television actresses
American women bass guitarists
Living people
Singer-songwriters from California
Musicians from Burbank, California
People from Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles
Guitarists from California
21st-century American singer-songwriters
21st-century American women singers
21st-century American bass guitarists
Warner Records artists