AJ Michalka facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
AJ Michalka
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![]() Michalka at WonderCon in 2019
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Born |
Amanda Joy Michalka
April 10, 1991 Torrance, California, U.S.
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Occupation |
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Years active | 2002–present |
Works
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Relatives | Aly Michalka (sister) |
Musical career | |
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Labels |
AJ Michalka (born April 10, 1991) is an American actress, musician, and singer. She is famous for being one half of the music group Aly & AJ. Her older sister, Aly Michalka, is the other half of the duo.
AJ has acted in many movies. Some of these include The Lovely Bones (2009) and Super 8 (2011). She also starred in the TV show The Goldbergs (2013–2023). She was also in its spin-off show Schooled (2019–2020). AJ is also known for voicing the character Catra in the animated series She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018–2020).
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Early Life and Beginnings
AJ Michalka was born in Torrance, California. She is the younger sister of actress and musician Aly Michalka. Her father, Mark, runs a building company. Her mother, Carrie, is a musician. She used to play with a Christian rock band. AJ's parents are divorced.
When she was very young, AJ lived for a short time in Seattle and Milwaukee. She and her sister went to Mack Elementary school. AJ started playing the piano when she was six years old. She began playing the guitar when she was young too. She started acting at age five, mostly in church plays. AJ was raised as a Christian. She was also homeschooled for part of her childhood. She performed in many musical plays at her school in Milwaukee.
AJ's Career Journey
AJ Michalka plays several musical instruments. These include acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and piano. She also worked as a model for catalogs when she was younger.
In 2006, AJ made her Disney Channel debut. She starred in the movie Cow Belles with her sister Aly. They played sisters Courtney and Taylor Callum. AJ also appeared on TV shows like Oliver Beene and Six Feet Under. She was also in The Guardian and General Hospital. She and Aly were also in the MTV movie Super Sweet 16: The Movie.
In 2009, AJ was in the movie The Lovely Bones. This film was directed by Peter Jackson. It was widely released in January 2010.
Music with Aly & AJ
From 2009 to 2013, AJ and her sister performed as a music group called 78violet. In 2015, they decided to change their name back to "Aly & AJ."
TV Roles and Voice Acting
AJ was a recurring character on The CW series Hellcats. This show also starred Ashley Tisdale and her sister Aly Michalka. The series lasted for one season.
AJ appeared in the 2011 movie Super 8. This film was directed by J. J. Abrams. Her first main role in a big movie was in 2013. She played the main character in Grace Unplugged.
Since 2013, AJ has had a popular role on the ABC show The Goldbergs. She plays Lainey Lewis. Lainey is the best friend of Erica Goldberg and was Barry Goldberg's girlfriend. In 2015, she became a regular cast member for the show's third season. AJ also played Lainey in the spin-off series Schooled. This show ran for two seasons.
AJ also uses her voice for characters. She voices Stevonnie in Steven Universe. Stevonnie is a mix of the main character Steven and his friend Connie. From 2018 to 2020, she voiced Catra in the animated series She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.
In July 2014, AJ and her sister filmed a drama movie. It was directed by Aly's husband, Stephen Ringer. The movie was called Weepah Way for Now. AJ was one of the producers for this film. It was released on DVD and streaming in June 2016.
In 2024, AJ competed on The Masked Singer. She was dressed as "Strawberry Shortcake." She made it to the semi-finals and finished in third place.
Personal Life
AJ Michalka has been in a relationship with actor Josh Pence since August 2017.
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2009 | The Lovely Bones | Clarissa | |
2010 | Slow Moe | Emily | |
Secretariat | Kate Tweedy | ||
2011 | Super 8 | Jen | |
2013 | Grace Unplugged | Grace Trey | |
Angels in Stardust | Vallie Sue | ||
2015 | Weepah Way for Now | Joy | Also co-producer |
2016 | Dirty Lies | Tiffany | |
2017 | Apple of My Eye | Kai | |
2018 | Support the Girls | Krista |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2002 | Passions | Sheridan's Daughter | 1 episode |
Birds of Prey | Young Dinah Lance | Episode: "Pilot" | |
2004 | General Hospital | Ashley B. | 2 episodes |
Six Feet Under | Ashley | ||
2002–2004 | The Guardian | Shannon Gressler | Recurring role (seasons 2–3), 15 episodes; as Amanda Michalka |
2003–2004 | Oliver Beene | Bonnie | Recurring role, 9 episodes; as Amanda Michalka |
2006 | Cow Belles | Courtney Callum | Television film |
Haversham Hall | Hope Mason | Unaired television pilot | |
2007 | Punk'd | Herself | Episode dated May 29, 2007 |
Super Sweet 16: The Movie | Sara Connors | Television film | |
Aly & AJ: Sister Act | Herself | MTV television special | |
2011 | Hellcats | Deirdre Perkins | 3 episodes |
Salem Falls | Gillian Duncan | Television film | |
2013–2023 | The Goldbergs | Lainey Lewis | Recurring role (seasons 1–2, 5); main role (seasons 3–4, early season 6); guest (seasons 7–10); 58 episodes |
2014 | Silicon Valley | Charlotte | Episode: "Proof of Concept" |
Motive | Emily Williams | Episode: "Dead End" | |
Expecting Amish | Hannah Yoder | Television film | |
2015–2019 | Steven Universe | Stevonnie | Recurring voice role; 8 episodes |
2016 | Cupcake Wars | Herself / Contestant | Celebrity special |
All My Friends Are Getting Married | Chloe | Web series; 6 episodes | |
2018 | Celebrity Family Feud | Herself | Episode: "Aly Michalka & AJ Michalka vs. Adrienne Houghton" |
2018–2020 | She-Ra and the Princesses of Power | Catra | Main voice role |
2019–2020 | Schooled | Lainey Lewis | Main role; 34 episodes |
2020 | The Disney Family Singalong | Herself | Television special |
2022 | Ray Donovan: The Movie | Young Abby | Television film |
The Good Doctor | Nelly Dunn | Episode: "Yippee Ki-Yay" | |
2024 | The Masked Singer | Herself/Strawberry Shortcake | Season 12 contestant |
Music videos
Year | Title | Artist(s) | Role | Ref. |
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2012 | "Gotten" | Slash featuring Adam Levine | Joanna Martin | |
2020 | "Malibu" (At Home Edition) | Kim Petras | Herself |
Discography
Year | Track | Album |
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2010 | "It's Who You Are" | Secretariat |
2013 | "All I've Ever Needed" | Grace Unplugged |
"Desert Song" | ||
"You Never Let Go" | ||
"Misunderstood" | ||
2017 | "Here Comes a Thought" (with Estelle) |
Steven Universe, Vol. 1 (Original Soundtrack) |
"Tom Sawyer" (with Hayley Orrantia) |
The Goldbergs Mixtape | |
"Eternal Flame" (with Hayley Orrantia) |
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"Walking on Sunshine" (with Hayley Orrantia) |
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2018 | "We Deserve to Shine" (with Zach Callison, Grace Rolek, Estelle, Deedee Magno Hall, Michaela Dietz, Charlyne Yi and Erica Luttrell) |
None |
2019 | "Escapism" (with Zach Callison and Grace Rolek) |
Steven Universe, Vol. 2 (Original Soundtrack) |
2020 | "Warriors" | The Music of She-ra |
Awards and Nominations
Year | Award | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
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2006 | American Music Awards | Contemporary Inspirational Artists of the Year | Into the Rush | Nominated |
2014 | Movieguide Awards | Most Inspiring Performance in Movies | Grace Unplugged | Won |
2015 | Napa Film Festival | Special Jury Award-Acting in a Lounge Feature Film (shared with Aly Michalka) | Weepah Way for Now | Won |
2017 | Behind the Voice Actor Awards | Best Female Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Guest Role | Steven Universe | Won |
See also
In Spanish: Amanda Michalka para niños