Alyson Stoner – Life After Sarah Baker (Cheaper By The Dozen)

Alyson Stoner’s launch into the limelight came after playing Sarah Baker (Cheaper By The Dozen) but what is she up to now?

Image Source/ People

Before she became famous…

Alyson Rae Stoner was born in Ohio on August 11th, 1993. As a young child she studied various forms of dances including ballet, tap and jazz.

She also modelled as a child and even won ‘Best Model of the Year’ at the International Modeling and Talent Association in 2000.

Her first job for the Disney channel was as the co-host of Mike’s Super Short Show in 2001.

Her life as Sarah Baker (Cheaper By The Dozen)…

Stoner played the mischievous Sarah Baker in the comedies Cheaper By The Dozen (2003) and Cheaper By The Dozen 2 (2005).

However, she was initially considered for multiple roles in the ‘Cheaper’ movies, including the twins Jessica and Kim. The roles were eventually played by Lillian Murphy and Morgan York.

There’s a reason why Sarah is known for being mischievous:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=38&v=lWzNHEMR3fk

Video Source/ YouTube

Alyson’s other acting credits…

Alyson went on to star in other Disney channel TV series such as The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, That’s So Raven and Drake & Josh. She also had a job voicing Isabella and Jenny in Phineas and Ferb; Alyson herself came up with the iconic catchphrase: “Whatcha doin’?”.

As if she couldn’t have starred in more Disney channel TV shows, Alyson also auditioned for the roles of Lily and Miley/ Hannah in Hannah Montana but was unsuccessful.

In 2006 she starred in the dance movie Step Up as Camille, Tyler’s (Channing Tatum) sister. She reprised her role in the 2010 movie, Step up 3D and again in 2014’s Step Up: All In.

Her other prominent Disney channel role was as Caitlyn Gellar in the TV movies, Camp Rock (2008) and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010).

Her music career…

After her dance training, Alyson began appearing in music videos; her most famous is ‘Work It’ by Missy Elliott which was released in 2002.

Video Source/ YouTube

The video became iconic and when Missy won the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award in 2019, she celebrated with an extended performance at the VMAs. She did a medley of all of her biggest hits, including ‘Work It’ and invited Alyson to dance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9I-ut1TXoA

Video Source/ YouTube

Other artists’ music videos she has starred in are Eninem and Kumbia Kings.

Alyson has created her own music! She has released two albums: Beat the System (2011) and While You Were Sleeping (2016).

However, her singles that made the most waves in the music industry were her 2018-2019 releases: ‘When It’s Right’, ‘Who Do You Love’, ‘Fool’ and ‘Stripped Bare’.

Using her music to discuss ‘taboo’ topics…

The single ‘When It’s Right’ was released alongside an essay she wrote for Teen Vogue. Titled, ‘How I Embraced My Sexual Identity’, the article describes the struggles of her coming out journey alongside her faith:

‘I, Alyson, am attracted to men, women, and people who identify in other ways. I can love people of every gender identity and expression.

It is the soul that captivates me. It is the love we can build and the goodness we can contribute to the world by supporting each other’s best journeys’.

She also goes on to say:

‘If you’re questioning or struggling with your sexuality, gender identity, or anything else, know that I and so many who’ve gone before us are with you. Whatever your identity, you are lovable and wonderful and enough.

I’m on the other side of some of these battles internally, but it’s still a challenge in the outside world. It’s OK. Dare to be yourself anyway. Find support, because we’re out there!’.

It is still unknown as to who Alyson’s girlfriend is.

That’s not all…

Her video ‘Stripped Bare’ saw Alyson shave her own hair off! She said it was the final thing she needed to do to finally move on with her new life:

‘What a choice to make after my appearance has been under public scrutiny since childhood, and as a way to trust my beauty & sexuality defy gender normative standards of femininity’.

Video Source/ YouTube

Alyson uses her YouTube channel to promote positivity, and has recently started a series called ‘ALchemy’.

Her dancing…

Alyson doesn’t just dance for movies and her music videos. It was actually at a dance class that Alyson met her girlfriend, stating:

‘My friend invited me to a trial dance workshop experimenting with floor work and learning to utilize the ground in freestyle and choreography. I was running late and tiptoed to the back as everyone drilled the first move.

I skimmed the room to find the instructor. There she was, wearing loose jeans and a backward snapback. She flipped and rolled her body around with adventure and total abandon’. 

Alyson even teaches dance classes at Millennium Dance Complex in LA – predominantly hip hop. Alyson is supposedly the youngest ever masterclass dance teacher.

In 2015, Alyson honoured Missy Elliott by uploading a dance routine to all of Missy’s music videos that she starred in as a child. The video received 12 million views in its first week.

Video Source/ YouTube

What’s next for Alyson?..

Later this year, Alyson is releasing a podcast named: Simplexity Podcast.

Image Source/ Instagram