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, Abby Ramirez in You Wish!, and Kate in the 1999 remake of Annie.
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. 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,"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 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 as Kate in the 1999 remake of Annie. Annie aired on The Wonderful World of Disney on November 7, 1999. In 2000, she was cast as Miranda Sanchez on the Disney Channel teen sitcom Lizzie McGuire, alongside Hilary Duff. 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 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!.Here's What Lalaine From 'Lizzie McGuire' Has Been Up To Since The Show Ended
After Lizzie McGuire She starred alongside A.J. Trauth, Spencer Breslin, and Tim Reid in the 2003 Disney Channel Original Movie You Wish! as Abby Ramirez. Lalaine portrayed Chloe, a young Slayer-In-Training who dies by suicide, on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
In 2005, she starred alongside Eric Roberts and Pat Morita in Royal Kill, which was eventually given a full release in 2009. 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 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 co-starred in the web series Raymond and Lane. In 2019, Lalaine guest starred on Christy's Kitchen Throwback starring former Even Stevens and Kim Possible star Christy Carlson Romano.
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. What Happened To Lalaine After Lizzie McGuire? 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 to promote Inside Story.Here’s Why Lalaine Wasn’t In ‘The Lizzie McGuire Movie’ That same year she was signed to Warner Bros. Records and released her only EP Haunted.Everything Lalaine Has Been Up to Since 'Lizzie McGuire’
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 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".video on YouTube
Legal issues 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 Year Title Role Notes2004 Promised Land Norma Debating Robert Lee Debator2007 Her Best Move Tutti Distributed by Summertime Films 2009 Royal Kill Jan Released on DVD as "Ninja's Creed" 2010Easy A Gossipy Girl Cameo 2018 One Night Alone Stacy 2015 The Man with the Red Balloon Green Balloon/Balloonless Woman Short film 2020 Definition Please Krista
Television Year Title Role Notes1999 Borderline TheresaTelevision film Annie Katherine "Kate" 2001–04 Lizzie McGuire Miranda Sanchez Disney Channel Original Series; 59/65 episodes (was not in The Lizzie McGuire Movie) 2001–06 Express Yourself Herself A series of short segments shown on Disney Channel2003 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Chloe/First Evil 2 episodesYou Wish! Abigail "Abby" Ramirez Disney Channel Original Movie2005 Disney 411Herself 1 episode All That 1 episode (final episode) What's Stevie Thinking? Miranda Sanchez An unsold television pilot produced for Disney Channel 2006 Lagot ka, isusumbong kita! Herself/host Lalaine's adventure in the Philippines
Web series Year Show Role Notes 2008 ElisaVictoriaTV Herself 2 episodes 2009–13 Off The Clock Various characters 8 episodes 2011 Vanity Theft – VT Tour Diary Herself 7 episode 2012 Dream Journal Lady Smoking 1 episode 2015 Raymond & Lane Lily 2019 Christy's Kitchen Throwback Herself
Discography
Albums 2003 - Inside Story
Soundtracks 1999 - Annie (1999 film soundtrack) 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"
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Role Result 2000 Young Artist Award Young Artist Award For Best Performance in a Feature Film or TV Movie – Young Ensemble Kate in Annie 2002 Young Artist Award Best Ensemble in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) Miranda Sanchez in Lizzie McGuire Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series – Supporting Young Actress 2003 Imagen Award Best Supporting Actress in Television Young Artist Award Best Ensemble in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama)
References
External links