Aly Michalka

Aly Michalka

Michalka in 2007
Background information
Birth name Alyson Renae Michalka
Also known as Aly, Alyson Michalka
Born March 25, 1989
Torrance, California, U.S.
Genres Pop, pop rock
Occupation(s) Actress, singer, songwriter, guitarist, modeling
Instruments Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active 2004–present
Labels Hollywood
Associated acts 78violet
Notable instruments
Fender Telecaster Deluxe

Alyson Renae "Aly" Michalka (/mɪˈʃɑːkə/;[1] born March 25, 1989) is an American actress and recording artist. Michalka gained fame for playing the role of Keely Teslow in the Disney Channel original series Phil of the Future. She is also known for her roles as Marti Perkins in the CW television drama Hellcats, Taylor Callum in the Disney Channel Original Movie Cow Belles, and Rhiannon Abernathy in the Golden Globe-nominated teen film Easy A. She is also known as one half of the musical duo 78violet (formerly Aly & AJ) with her sister AJ Michalka. Aly has modeled for OP (Ocean Pacific) and Penumbra. She has also done fashion shoots for Maxim, OK! and Zooey.

Early life

Michalka was born in Torrance, California. She grew up in Seattle, Washington and Southern California, with her sister, Amanda "AJ". Her father, Mark, owns a contracting company, and her mother, Carrie, is a musician and performed with the Christian "JC Band".[2][3] She has Polish, German, English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish ancestry.[4]

Acting career

Michalka made her acting debut as Keely Teslow on the Disney Channel Original Series, Phil of the Future. She has also starred in the Disney Channel Original Movies Now You See It..., and Cow Belles, in which she appears opposite her sister. She had a leading role in the Walden Media film Bandslam, released in August 2009.[5] She also played a role in the movie The Roommate. In 2004, Michalka was cast in the role of Keely Teslow on the Disney Channel's Phil of the Future. The series premiered on June 18, 2004. In August 2006, Disney Channel ended the series after two seasons. Michalka also appeared in two Disney movies, Cow Belles and Now You See It.... Michalka made a guest appearance on CSI: NY, and in 2006, starred in an unsold Disney Channel pilot Haversham Hall which was not picked up.[6] In 2007, Michalka starred alongside her sister AJ in the MTV television film Super Sweet 16: The Movie based on the MTV original series My Super Sweet 16. She played the role of the villainous popular mean girl Taylor Tiara. In 2009, she appeared in the Summit Entertainment musical comedy film Bandslam about a group of misfits who form a rock band. Despite failing at the box office, the film and Michalka's performance was well received among critics.

In April 2010, The CW announced Michalka was cast in the main role of Marti Perkins on the cheerleading drama series Hellcats. The show premiered to September 8, 2010 to 3 million viewers. Despite a successful premiere, ratings failed to remain high with the series finale reaching a low 1.19 million viewers. In May 2011, The CW announced the show was not renewed for a second season.[7] In 2010 and 2011 respectively, Michalka had major supporting roles in films Easy A and The Roommate. Michalka appeared in the independent drama film Crazy Kind of Love alongside Eva Longoria, Virginia Madsen and Amanda Crew. The film was released in July 2013.[8]

In 2013 Michalka began a multi-episode role on the sitcom Two and a Half Men as Brooke, the love interest of Amber Tamblyn's character, Jenny Harper (who is the lesbian, illegitimate daughter of Charlie Sheen's past character of Charlie Harper and niece to current character Alan Harper played by Jon Cryer).

Music career

Michalka and her sister comprise the musical duo 78violet, and released their first album, Into the Rush, on August 16, 2005. In September 2006, they brought out a holiday album covering 9 tracks, along with two originals, titled Acoustic Hearts of Winter. In July 2007, their third album, Insomniatic, hit stores, featuring the American top 20 hit single, "Potential Breakup Song". The two were to release a fourth album in early 2010,[9] but it was canceled after they left their label. They released a new single entitled "Hothouse" on July 8, 2013, with a new album to follow.

Personal life

Michalka has played the piano since she was five and started playing the guitar at the age of 13. She started acting when she was five years old, mostly in church play productions.

In 2012, Michalka began dating independent film producer, Stephen Ringer, whom she met on the set of her film, Sequoia. The couple got engaged at Big Sur, California in July 2014. A wedding is planned for late 2015.[10][11][12] She was raised a Christian and continues to practice the faith.[13][14]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2005 Now You See It... Allyson Miller Disney Channel Original Movie
2006 Cow Belles Taylor Callum Disney Channel Original Movie
2007 Super Sweet 16: The Movie Taylor Tiara Television film
2009 Bandslam Charlotte Barnes
2010 Easy A Rhiannon Abernathy
2011 Roommate, TheThe Roommate Tracy Long
2013 Crazy Kind of Love[15] Janeen
2013 Grown Ups 2 Savannah
2014 Sequoia[16][17] Reilly MacGrady
2014 Killing Winston Jones Cookie Jones
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2004–2006 Phil of the Future Keely Teslow Main cast (43 episodes)
2007 Punk'd Herself 1 episode
2007 Aly & AJ: Sister Act Herself MTV television special
2010–2011 Hellcats Marti Perkins Main cast (22 episodes)
2011 CSI: NY Miranda Beck 1 episode ("Keep It Real")
2012 Breaking In Heather Young 1 episode ("Heathers")
2013–2014 Two and a Half Men Brooke 5 episodes
2014 Anger Management Lauren 1 episode ("Charlie and Sean's Twisted Sister")
2015 iZombie Peyton Charles Recurring

Discography

Year Title Album
2009 "Amphetamine" Bandslam
"I Want You to Want Me"
"Someone to Fall Back On"
2010 "Brand New Day" Hellcats (Music from the Television Series) – EP
"Belong Here"

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated Work Result
2005 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress Phil of the Future Nominated
2006 American Music Awards Contemporary Inspirational Artists of the Year Into the Rush
2011 Teen Choice Awards Choice Female Scene Stealer Easy A, The Roommate

References

  1. ↑ "The Name Database – Aly Michalka". Retrieved 2012-09-09.
  2. ↑ Axson, Scooby (July 7, 2006). "Article: Pop sisters: Better known for their acting, Aly and AJ leap onto music... | AccessMyLibrary – Promoting library advocacy". AccessMyLibrary. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Tweenage Riot". Blender Magazine. May 23, 2006. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
  4. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1425528/bio
  5. ↑ Aly & AJ Writing New Songs, Plot Films. Billboard. January 10, 2008.
  6. ↑ Rice, Lynette (July 28, 2011). "'Hellcats' star to appear on 'CSI: NY'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  7. ↑ Stanhope, Kate (May 17, 2011). "The CW Renews One Tree Hill and Nikita, Cancels Hellcats". TV Guide. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Crazy Kind of Love". IMDb. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  9. ↑ "New Album Delayed?". Aly & AJ Reaction. November 9, 2008.
  10. ↑ "Aly Michalka of Two and a Half Men Is Engaged to Boyfriend Stephen Ringer, See Her Stunning Ring". Yahoo Celebrity. 16 July 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  11. ↑ "Aly Michalka Wants a 'Really Relaxed, Sentimental Wedding'". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  12. ↑ "Aly Michalka Engaged to Stephen Ringer! New Details on the Proposal, the Ring and Her Maid of Honor". E! Online. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  13. ↑ "Aly & AJ, 11/05 – Interviews – Christian Music Today". Christianitytoday.com. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Grounded in Faith – Today's Christian". Archived from the original on February 17, 2007.
  15. ↑ "Thesps sign up for 'Long Time Gone' August 26, 2011, Variety
  16. ↑ "Aly Michalka Stars In Sequoia Movie"
  17. ↑ "Aly Michalka Shares A Photo From The Set Of Sequoia"

External links

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