Ashley Tisdale plays captain Savannah Monroe, a petite, preppy Texan, who takes new roommate Marti (Aly Michalka) under her wing in The CW's new drama "Hellcats."
Nurturing an impressive body of work that encompasses film and television, Tisdale is one of Hollywood's most sought-after young talents as her career continues to evolve with exciting and challenging projects. Tisdale won the coveted the MTV Movie Award for Breakthrough Performance Female (2009) and has been nominated for multiple Teen Choice Awards.
Tisdale quickly garnered attention and became one of the breakout stars of the Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel world-wide phenomenon "High School Musical." Tisdale reprised her role as Sharpay Evans, the high school drama queen, in "High School Musical 2," which broke cable TV records as it garnered 17.5 million viewers. With the success of HSM, Disney decided to release the third installment of the extremely successful "High School Musical" franchise as a feature film. "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," set a box office record as the highest-grossing opening weekend total for a musical. Tisdale recently wrapped production on the Disney Channel original film "Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure," in which her extremely popular character travels to New York to pursue a Broadway career, but it's her dog that lands an acting gig first.
Tisdale's other credits include the feature film "Aliens in the Attic," voicing the character of Candace Flynn in the Emmy Award-winning and BAFTA-nominated animated series, "Phineas and Ferb" on Disney XD and Disney Channel. She also captured attention for her role as Maddie in Disney Channel's hit series, "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody." She had recurring roles on many primetime comedies including "George Lopez," "Still Standing" and "The Hughleys," as well as guest starring roles on "Grounded for Life," "Strong Medicine," "Boston Public" and "7th Heaven."
A Warner Bros. Records recording artist, her solo album, "Headstrong," debuted in February 2007 and entered the Billboard Top 200 Chart at #5. Tisdale released her second solo album entitled "Guilty Pleasure" in June 2009.
In fall 2006, Tisdale starred in "High School Musical: The Concert," a sold-out 42-date arena concert tour throughout North America which, after a break to film the sequel to the movie, carried on through spring 2007 in Latin America, playing sold-out soccer stadiums in Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Venezuela and Mexico.
Born July 2 in Monmouth County, New Jersey, Tisdale was discovered at the age of 3 in her hometown mall by a talent manager who continues to represent her today. After landing a job from her very first audition, she went on to star in more than 100 national network commercials. At age 8 she booked the leading role in the international tour of the musical "Les Misérables," and toured internationally with the production of "Annie." She also had the privilege of singing at the White House at the age of 12.
She resides in Los Angeles with her dogs, Blondie and Maui.
Aly Michalka stars as Marti Perkins, an ambitious pre-law student who joins the Hellcats cheer squad to keep her scholarship on The CW's new drama "Hellcats." At age 21, Michalka is an accomplished musician, songwriter, actress and martial artist. She is a star on the rise with several exciting projects on the horizon.
Michalka also starred in Summit Entertainment's "Bandslam," opposite Vanessa Hudgens and Gaelen Connell. She recently wrapped production on the Screen Gems thriller "The Roommate," starring alongside Leighton Meester and Minka Kelly, as well as the Screen Gems comedy, "Easy A," opposite Emma Stone. In addition to her many film roles, she is also a platinum selling recording artist. She is half of what used to be known as "Aly & AJ," now known as "78violet."
Michalka began her acting career with a starring role on The Disney Channel's "Phil of the Future" about a family from the future trying to live in the modern world. She next starred in two Disney Channel films, "Now You See It" and "Cow Belles," as well as the Disney pilot "Haversham Hall." She also starred in the MTV original movie "Super Sweet Sixteen: The Movie."
Michalka is perhaps best known for her musical talents. In addition to singing and songwriting, she also plays guitar, piano and percussion. As part of the rock/pop duo "Aly &AJ," Michalka and her younger sister AJ became platinum-selling recording artists at a very young age. In 2006, Aly & AJ were nominated for an American Music Award. They have also written or co-written all of the songs on their two hit records, and their holiday release "Acoustic Hearts of Winter" was one of the best-selling Christmas albums of 2006. Their hit single, "Potential Breakup Song," was noted in Time magazine as one of the Top 10 Songs of the Year for 2007, and the video has received over 30 million hits on You Tube.
In 2006 and 2007, Aly & AJ had two consecutive sold-out tours, headlining amphitheaters and arenas across the United States, as well as international success in Japan and the UK. The duo has also contributed to the soundtracks for the films "The Game Plan," "Herbie Fully Loaded," "Ice Princess," and most recently "Bandslam," in which Michalka also stars. In addition to her music and acting, Michalka has an abundance of other activities keeping her busy. She penned a deal with Penguin Books, who published a 4-book series entitled, Aly & AJ's Rock 'n Roll Mysteries, for which she is the credited illustrator. She and her sister have also partnered with Performance Designed Products (PDP) to launch a line of video game accessories targeted at female gamers. Michalka is also very involved with philanthropic activities. She supports the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation and Race to Erase MS. Previously, she was a co-chair of the AmberWatch Foundation, an organization that promotes child safety and awareness.
Michalka currently resides in Los Angeles.
Newcomer Heather Hemmens is making a strong entrance to the scene starring as Alice Verdura on The CW's new drama "Hellcats." Alice is one of the main cheerleaders on the squad who is sidelined due to a wrist injury and is not keen on the idea of Marti (Michalka) replacing her; she will come back to the squad seeking revenge on some of the other cheerleaders.
Coming from a small town, Hemmens started her career on the stage which then carried her on to a full scholarship at a prestigious arts high school. Upon graduating, she went straight to Los Angeles to pursue her career and dreams.
On the small screen, Hemmens has been seen on "CSI: Miami" and "Without a Trace." She has also recently directed two short films, and can now be heard as a regular voice on Joss Whedon's new "Buffy: Season Eight Animated Series."
Hemmens practices martial arts and enjoys painting in her spare time. She currently resides in Los Angeles.
Robbie Jones stars as Lewis Flynn in The CW's new series, "Hellcats." Jones plays a fellow Hellcats cheerleader who takes an immediate interest in his newest teammate (Aly Michalka), despite his previous relationship with co-captain Alice (Heather Hemmens).
Jones' additional television credits include the role of Quintin on The CW's "One Tree Hill" plus guest appearances on "Southland," "Dark Blue" and "ER." On the big screen, Jones starred in "Hurricane Season," with Forest Whitaker and Isaiah Washington.
Jones is from Sacramento and attended UC Berkeley on a basketball scholarship. His father was his coach growing up. Jones also plays basketball in The Entertainment League (E League) along side Ice Cube, Don Cheadle, Justin Timberlake, Jamie Foxx, Taye Diggs and Brian McKnight.
Jones currently resides in Los Angeles.
Familiar to audiences from his role on "One Tree Hill," Matt Barr can next be seen as Dan Patch, an aspiring filmmaker and Marti's (Aly Michalka) best friend on The CW's new fall drama "Hellcats."
Born in Texas, Matt Barr moved to Los Angeles and immediately caught the eye of many in the industry. Some of Barr's well-known roles include playing Christopher Sullivan in "Harper's Island," Ian Banks, Peyton Sawyer's (Hilarie Burton) stalker, on "One Tree Hill," and Mike Fleming in "Commander in Chief." Barr also had guest and recurring roles on such popular television series as "Friday Night Lights," "Trauma," "The Big Bang Theory," "ER," "Bones" and "The O.C."
In addition, Barr recently had roles in the Toronto Film Festival's "Pedro" and in the film "House Bunny" with Anna Faris. His other film credits include "Protecting the King," "Ten Inch Hero," "American Pie Presents Band Camp" and "Levelland."
Sharon Leal stars as Vanessa Hodge, coach of the squad and a former Hellcat herself, in The CW's new drama "Hellcats."
Named one of 2007's "Breakout Stars" by Entertainment Weekly, Sharon Leal is seen was most recently seen starring in Tyler Perry's feature film "Why Did I Get Married Too?," reprising the role of Diane, which she originated in the highly successful "Why Did I Get Married?" Prior to that, she starred opposite Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac in the comedy, "Soul Men," as well as "This Christmas," opposite Regina King and Mekhi Phifer. Her performance in the latter project won her the 2008 Asian Excellence Award for outstanding Film Actress.
Leal received international attention in the Golden Globe Award-winning blockbuster film, "Dreamgirls," starring opposite Beyoncé Knowles and Jamie Foxx. She portrayed Michelle Morris, the singer who replaced Effie White (played by Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson) in the female trio, The Dreams. In "Dreamgirls," she showcased her remarkable vocal skills and was heard on the popular movie soundtrack.
Born in Tucson, Arizona, and raised in Fresno, California, Leal began singing at an early age and eventually discovered her passion for acting while attending performing arts high school. Her professional career began on stage in regional productions of "Ain't Misbehavin'," "Into the Woods" and "Little Shop of Horrors." Soon thereafter, she moved to New York and landed major roles on Broadway in "Miss Saigon" and "Rent." She starred in the original musical, "Bright Lights, Big City" at the New York Theater Workshop, and was also featured on the production's soundtrack. While in New York, she staged cabarets and continued to hone her skills when she workshopped an original production at the Manhattan Theatre Club, "Stormy Weather," in which she starred as the legendary Lena Horne.
From the New York stage, Sharon easily made the transition into television and film. Her TV work includes four seasons as a series regular on David E. Kelley's hit series, "Boston Public." Guest starring roles include episodes of "Las Vegas," "LAX" and "CSI: Miami." Film roles include the independent features, "Face the Music," "Motives 2," "Linewatch," and the short film, "What Are the Odds," for which she won the Best Supporting Actress Award at the New York Independent Film Festival.
Sharon resides in Los Angeles with young son, Kai.
Multiple Emmy-nominee Gail O'Grady has starred in every genre of entertainment, including feature films, television movies, miniseries and series television. O'Grady will next star in "Hellcats," The CW's new fall series, as Wanda Perkins, mother and life long embarrassment to Marti (Aly Michalka).
Recently, O'Grady starred in a recurring role on "Desperate Housewives" as a married woman having an affair with the teenaged son of Felicity Huffman's character. On "Boston Legal," her multi-episode arc as the sexy and beautiful Judge Gloria Weldon, James Spader's love interest and sometime nemesis, garnered much praise.
Starring series roles include the series "Hidden Palms," which starred O'Grady as Karen Miller, a woman tormented by guilt over her first husband's suicide and her son's subsequent turn to alcohol. O'Grady also starred as Ava in the comedy "Hot Properties." Prior to that, she starred as Helen Pryor in the critically acclaimed series "American Dreams." But O'Grady will always be remembered as the warm-hearted secretary Donna Abandando on the series "NYPD Blue," for which she received three Emmy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a Dramatic Series.
O'Grady has made guest appearances on some of television's most acclaimed series, including "Cheers," "Designing Women," "Ally McBeal" and "China Beach." She has also appeared in numerous television movies and miniseries. Most recently, she starred in Hallmark Channel's "All I Want for Christmas" and Lifetime's "While Children Sleep" and "Sex and the Single Mom," which was so highly rated that it spawned a sequel in which she also starred. Other television credits include "The Mentalist," "Vegas," "CSI," "Two and a Half Men," "Monk," "Two of Hearts," "Nothing Lasts Forever" and "Billionaire Boys Club."
In the feature film arena, O'Grady has worked with some of the industry's most respected directors, including John Landis, John Hughes and Carl Reiner, and has starred with several acting legends. She appeared in "Walking Across Egypt" with Ellen Burstyn, "That Old Feeling" with Bette Midler, "She's Having a Baby" with Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern, and "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo" opposite Rob Schneider.
Born in Detroit, O'Grady now resides in Los Angeles.
Source: CW
