Aly Michalka

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Aly Michalka
Michalka in 2017
Born
Alyson Michalka[1]

(1989-03-25) March 25, 1989 (age 35)[2]
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
Years active2004–present
Works
Spouse
Stephen Ringer
(m. 2015)
RelativesAJ Michalka (sister)
Musical career
Genres
Labels
Member ofAly & AJ

Alyson Michalka[1] (/mˈʃɑːkə/ mee-SHAH-kə;[3] born March 25, 1989) is an American actress and singer-songwriter. Michalka rose to prominence with her starring role as Keely Teslow in the Disney Channel sitcom Phil of the Future (2004–2006). She went on to appear in various films, such as Bandslam (2009), Easy A (2010), The Roommate (2011), Grown Ups 2 (2013), Sequoia (2014), Weepah Way for Now (2015), and The Lears (2017). She had starring roles in The CW comedy drama series Hellcats (2010–2011) and the CW crime drama series iZombie (2015–2019), along with the Hallmark Channel Original Movie, Sand Dollar Cove (2021).

Michalka is half of the musical duo Aly & AJ (briefly 78violet) alongside her sister, AJ.

Early life[edit]

Michalka was born in Torrance, California. She grew up in Seattle, Washington, and Southern California with her younger sister, Amanda Joy "AJ", who is also an actress and musician. Her father, Mark, owns a contracting company, and her mother, Carrie, is a musician who performed with the Christian rock band "JC Band".[4][5] Her parents are divorced.[6]

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 in church play productions. She was raised as a Christian.[7][8][9][10][11]

Career[edit]

Acting[edit]

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. She has also starred in the Disney Channel original movie Now You See It..., and appeared in the TV movie Cow Belles opposite her sister. Michalka and her sister starred in several projects produced by the Disney Channel and MTV. In 2007, they appeared in the MTV film Super Sweet 16: The Movie based on the MTV series My Super Sweet 16. In August 2009, she co-starred in the Walden Media film Bandslam.[12] In April 2010, The CW announced Michalka was cast in the main role of Marti Perkins on the cheerleading drama series Hellcats. Despite a successful premiere, ratings dropped, and in May 2011, The CW announced the show was not renewed for a second season.[13] In 2011, Michalka made a guest appearance on CSI: NY.[14] In 2010 and 2011 respectively, Michalka had major supporting roles in films Easy A and The Roommate. In 2013, Michalka appeared in the independent drama film, Crazy Kind of Love, alongside Eva Longoria, Virginia Madsen and Amanda Crew.

In 2013, Michalka participated in a multi-episode role on the sitcom Two and a Half Men. In July 2014, she and her sister filmed the independent drama Weepah Way for Now in Laurel Canyon, California; Michalka also participated in the casting process and production for the film. The movie was written and directed by her husband, Stephen Ringer, and premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival on June 16, 2015.[15] Michalka had a recurring role on the CW series iZombie[16][17] for the first and second season, and became a regular cast member for season three.[18] On April 19, 2016, she was announced as a cast member for the comedy film The Lears, an adaptation based on the Shakespearean play King Lear.[19]

Music[edit]

Michalka performing in 2007

Michalka and her sister AJ formed the musical duo Aly & AJ in 2004. They released their first album, Into the Rush, on August 16, 2005. In September 2006, they released a holiday album, Acoustic Hearts of Winter, featuring cover songs and two original songs. In July 2007, their third album, Insomniatic, was released, featuring the Billboard top 20 hit single, "Potential Breakup Song". The duo changed their name to 78violet and were set to release a fourth album in early 2010,[20] but the project never materialized following their departure from Hollywood Records. Several years later, in the summer of 2013, they returned with new music, releasing their first single, "Hothouse", on July 8, 2013.[21] In December 2015, they confirmed that they had returned to their original name, "Aly & AJ".[22] In April 2016, they confirmed plans to release new music for an upcoming studio album.[23] On June 2, 2017, they announced a new single, titled "Take Me".[24][25] It served as the lead single from their EP, planned to be released on July 14, 2017.[25] On May 7, 2021, they released A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun.

Personal life[edit]

In 2013, Michalka began dating independent film producer Stephen Ringer, whom she met on the set of her film Sequoia. The couple became engaged at Big Sur, California, in July 2014. They married in a small ceremony in Portofino, Italy, on June 6, 2015.[26] Michalka announced in January 2024 via Instagram that she and her husband were expecting their first child.[27]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2009 Bandslam Charlotte Barnes
2010 Easy A Rhiannon Abernathy
2011 The Roommate Tracy Long
2013 Crazy Kind of Love Janine Bosh [28]
Grown Ups 2 Bikini Girl Savannah
2014 Sequoia Reilly MacGrady [29][30]
2015 Weepah Way for Now Elle Also co-producer, production designer and costume designer
2017 The Lears Regan Lear
2021 Sand Dollar Cove Elli Hallmark Movie
TBA Killing Winston Jones Cookie Jones

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2004–2006 Phil of the Future Keely Teslow Main role; 43 episodes
2005 Now You See It... Allyson Miller Television film
2006 Cow Belles Taylor Callum
Haversham Hall Hope Mason Unaired television pilot
2007 Punk'd Herself Episode dated May 29, 2007
Super Sweet 16: The Movie Taylor Tiara Television film
Aly & AJ: Sister Act Herself Television special
2010–2011 Hellcats Marti Perkins Lead role; 22 episodes
2011 CSI: NY Miranda Beck Episode: "Keep It Real"
2012 Breaking In Heather Young Episode: "Heathers"
2013–2014 Two and a Half Men Brooke Recurring role; 5 episodes
2014 Anger Management Lauren Episode: "Charlie and Sean's Twisted Sister"
2015 Chevy Molly Unsold television pilot[31][32]
2015–2019 iZombie Peyton Charles Main role; 56 episodes
2016 Cupcake Wars Celebrity Herself / Contestant Episode: "Cupcakes in Space"
Motive Chloe Wilson Episode: "In Plain Sight"
2017, 2021 MacGyver Frankie 2 episodes
2018 Hell's Kitchen Herself Episode: "Hell's Riders"
Celebrity Family Feud Episode: "Aly & AJ vs. Adrienne Houghton"
2022 The Good Doctor Lexi Dunn Episode: "Yippee Ki-Yay"[33]

Web[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2017–2019 Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television Amy Main role; 14 episodes

Discography[edit]

Soundtrack appearances
Year Track 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)
"Belong Here"

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Work Result Refs
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 Nominated
2011 Teen Choice Awards Choice Female Scene Stealer Easy A & The Roommate Nominated
2015 Napa Film Festival Special Jury Award: Acting in a Lounge Feature Film Weepah Way for Now Won

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Grossberg, Josh (June 27, 2008). "Alleged Aly & AJ Stalker Arraigned". Archived from the original on July 3, 2008. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  2. ^ "Famous birthdays for March 25: Big Sean, Sarah Jessica Parker". United Press International. March 25, 2021. Archived from the original on March 25, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  3. ^ Semigran, Aly (August 14, 2009). "Aly Michalka, actor and musician". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "Tweenage Riot". Blender Magazine. May 23, 2006. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
  6. ^ "Aly Michalka". frankbefrank.com. September 1, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  7. ^ "78 Violet, 11/05 – Interviews – Christian Music Today". Christianitytoday.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2009. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  8. ^ "Tweenage Riot Article on Blender". Blender.com. May 23, 2006. Archived from the original on December 18, 2008. Retrieved November 10, 2010.
  9. ^ Grounded in Faith – Today's Christian Archived June 15, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "Aly & AJ, 11/05 – Interviews – Christian Music Today". Christianitytoday.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2009. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  11. ^ "Grounded in Faith – Today's Christian". Archived from the original on February 17, 2007.
  12. ^ Aly & AJ Writing New Songs, Plot Films. Billboard. January 10, 2008.
  13. ^ Stanhope, Kate (May 17, 2011). "The CW Renews One Tree Hill and Nikita, Cancels Hellcats". TV Guide. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  14. ^ Rice, Lynette (July 28, 2011). "'Hellcats' star to appear on 'CSI: NY'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  15. ^ "Los Angeles Film Festival Unveils Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter. May 5, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  16. ^ Ausiello, Michael (May 8, 2014). "The CW New Series For Fall 2014 – 'The Flash' and 'iZombie'". TVLine. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  17. ^ Goldman, Eric (January 11, 2015). "iZombie Premiering March 17th; Supernatural Moving Back to Wednesdays". IGN. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  18. ^ Abrams, Natalie (May 23, 2016). "'iZombie' promotes Aly Michalka to series regular". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  19. ^ "Bruce Dern, Anthony Michael Hall to Star in 'King Lear' Adaptation (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. April 19, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  20. ^ "New Album Delayed?" Archived July 22, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Aly & AJ Reaction. November 9, 2008.
  21. ^ "Aly and AJ Return As 78Violet, Announce 'Hothouse' Single". Billboard. June 8, 2013.
  22. ^ "Aly & AJ Are Back! (Goodbye, 78violet)". Idolator. December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  23. ^ Michalka, Aly [@alyandaj] (April 5, 2016). "P.S. We'll be writing and recording this upcoming record with Mike Elizondo and Ryan Spraker" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  24. ^ Michalka, Aly [@alyandaj] (June 4, 2017). "Aly&AJ Take Me" (Tweet). Retrieved June 5, 2017 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ a b Norwin, Alyssa (June 2, 2017). "Aly & AJ Just Released A New Song & Everyone's Freaking Out — Listen To 'Take Me'". Hollywood Life. Retrieved June 5, 2017.
  26. ^ Harrison, Lily (June 8, 2015). "Aly Michalka Is Married!". E! Online. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  27. ^ Michalka, Aly. "We found out the morning of our sold-out show at The Greek Theatre back in September. Our little one has been on stage..." Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  28. ^ Sneider, Jeff (August 26, 2011). "Thesps sign up for 'Long Time Gone'". Variety. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  29. ^ "Aly Michalka Stars In Sequoia Movie". Disneydreaming.com. November 14, 2012. Archived from the original on October 30, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  30. ^ "Aly Michalka Shares A Photo From The Set Of Sequoia". Disneydreaming.com. November 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 15, 2016.
  31. ^ Hibberd, James; Abrams, Natalie (May 8, 2015). "ABC rejects Chevy Chase Vacation reunion sitcom". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  32. ^ "Development Update: Friday, May 8 – Odds & Ends". The Futon Critic. May 8, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  33. ^ Schwartz, Ryan (February 22, 2022). "Good Doctor Casts Aly and AJ michalka as Fractured Sister Act - First Look". TVLine. Retrieved February 22, 2022.

External links[edit]