As preteens in the early 2000s, it was tough not to love Lizzie McGuire‘s comedic approach to popularity, self-image and surviving junior high. From the core cast of adorably kooky characters from this Disney Channel original series, we learned some valuable lessons about life and love and were inspired to try some pretty wild hair trends (pink highlights and butterfly clips, anyone?). So for those of you who hoped that you too would find your foreign pop star look-alike and live happily ever after at the ripe old age of 14, read on to find out where our favorite cast of characters is almost 10 years after the end of Lizzie McGuire.
Hilary Duff Then:
Lizzie McGuire and the voice of the cartoon depiction of Lizzie who narrated the loveable and down-to-earth main character’s inner thoughts were played by actress and singer Hilary Duff, who at the series’ start in 2001 was just 13 years old.
Hilary Duff Now:
Post-Lizzie, Duff began to hit the big screen, going on to star in films such as Cheaper by the Dozen and A Cinderella Story. She also launched a successful career in music, releasing three solo albums and a Christmas album. Currently a married mom, Duff and her husband, former NHL Star Mike Comrie, gave birth to their first child, Luca Cruz Comrie, in 2012.
Lalaine Vergara-Paras Then:
Miranda Sanchez, Lizzie’s loyal, sassy and slightly self-conscious best friend, was played by Lalaine Vergara-Paras, who was also 13 at the series’ start.
Lalaine Vergara-Paras Now:
After the first season of Lizzie McGuire, Vergara-Paras began her musical career by releasing a solo album. She later played bass guitar for the female indie rock quartet Vanity Theft. She reportedly left the group in early 2011.
Adam Lamberg Then:
Lizzie’s best guy friend, David ‘Gordo’ Gordon, the aspiring film director who spends most of the series secretly crushing on Lizzie, was played by Adam Lamberg, who at 16 was the oldest member of the show’s core crew.
Adam Lamberg Now:
Claiming that he “didn’t really fall into the Disney mold,” Lamberg made just two films post-Lizzie McGuire before retiring his acting career. Lamberg went on to study geography at UC Berkeley.
Jake Thomas Then:
Lizzie’s troublesome and incessant pest of a little brother, Matt, was played by 10-year-old Jake Thomas.
Jake Thomas Now:
Thomas’s acting career continued to flourish after Lizzie McGuire went off the air. He has done on a lot of acting, mostly on TV on shows like House M.D., CSI: Miami and Cold Case.
Clayton Snyder Then:
Hillridge Junior High’s token hunk (and Lizzie’s crush), Ethan Craft, was played by 13-year-old Clayton Snyder.
Clayton Snyder Now:
Both an on and off screen jock, the Pepperdine University film major was a member of the University’s water polo team. In August 2011, he joined the U.S. National team, which placed fourth at the World University Games in Shenzhen, China.
Ashlie Brillault Then:
Lizzie’s popular nemesis, Kate Sanders, was played by Ashlie Brillault, who was 13 at the start of the show.
Ashlie Brillault Now:
While continuing to act after the end of Lizzie McGuire, Ashlie certainly isn’t as shallow as her onscreen Disney character. She devotes her spare time to charity as a board member of Kids with a Cause. She’s also involved with the Ronald McDonald House and Long Beach Child Cancer Center and she speaks at local high schools in connection with D.A.R.E.