Lalaine Vergara-Paras, known mononymously as Lalaine, is an American actress, singer-songwriter, and bassist. She is best known for her roles as Miranda Sanchez in Lizzie McGuire, Kate in Annie, and Abby Ramirez in You Wish!. After appearing in the roles of Young Cosette and Éponine in a Broadway musical production of Les Misérables 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, to Filipino parents; her mother, Lilia Vergara Paras is originally from Batangas, and her father from Pampanga. She has three older siblings. She spent most of her early years in Burbank and Sherman Oaks, 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. Her acting career began when she was cast in the Broadway production of Les Misérables in the roles of Young Cosette and Eponine. In 2000, she was cast as Miranda Sanchez on the Disney Channel teen sitcomLizzie McGuire, alongside Hilary Duff. Lalaine left the show to work on other projects. Lalaine was not in The Lizzie McGuire Movie. She did reprise the role on the pilot of a spin-off series What's Stevie Thinking? about Miranda's younger sister, but the series was later scrapped and did not air. Lalaine made her film debut in 1999 as Theresa in Borderline. Lalaine co-starred with Alicia Morton as Kate in the 1999 remake of Annie . Annie aired on The Wonderful World of Disney on November 7, 1999. She starred alongside A.J. Trauth and Spencer Breslin in the Disney Channel Original MovieYou Wish! as Abby Ramirez in 2003. Lalaine portrayed Chloe, a young Slayer-In-Training who dies by suicide, on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In 2009, she appeared in the film Royal Kill along with Eric Roberts and Pat Morita. In 2010, Lalaine also appeared in Easy A starring Emma Stone in a small role as a gossiping girl. In July 2011, Lalaine was featured in a Shane Dawson 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 started 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 co-starred in the web series Raymond and Lane. In 2019 Lalaine guest starred on Christy's Kitchen Throwback starring former Even Stevens, Cadet Kelly, The Even Stevens Movie, and Kim Possible star Christy Carlson Romano.
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, performing her songs in Southern California, and went to Hawaii with Disney's Imagineers. 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. She played bass guitar in the bandVanity 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".
Personal life
Lalaine grew up in a Filipino American family. In July 2007, Lalaine was arrested and charged with felony possession of methamphetamine. Lalaine pleaded guilty to the felony possession charge. A $50,000 bench warrant 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 at a facility in Long Beach, California. 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
2004 - Pixel Perfect
2005 - Disneymania 3
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"