10 Shocking Career Swaps: Where Is The Cast From Lizzie McGuire Now In 2025?

It has been over two decades since Lizzie McGuire first graced our screens, navigating the awkward, hilarious, and utterly relatable world of middle school. The Disney Channel series and The Lizzie McGuire Movie launched the careers of its young stars into the stratosphere, establishing a pop culture touchstone that defines a generation. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the original cast members have taken wildly divergent and often surprising career paths, from Hollywood stardom and a return to music to becoming criminal defense attorneys and wildlife photographers.

The most recent and significant update for the entire cast revolves around the highly anticipated Disney+ revival, which was ultimately canceled due to creative differences between star Hilary Duff and the studio. This disappointment has only fueled fan curiosity about what the beloved actors—including Lizzie, Gordo, Miranda, and the entire McGuire family—are doing today, years after the show’s conclusion and the collapse of the reboot.

The Core Trio: Lizzie, Gordo, and Miranda’s Current Status

The central friendship of Lizzie, Gordo, and Miranda was the heart of the show. Today, the actors who played them are leading professional lives that couldn't be more different, with one launching a major music comeback and another choosing a life largely out of the spotlight.

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Hilary Duff (Lizzie McGuire)

Hilary Duff, the undisputed star, has successfully transitioned from a teen idol to a respected actress and entrepreneur. Her career trajectory remains the most public and active among the cast.

• Full Name: Hilary Erhard Duff
• Born: September 28, 1987 (Houston, Texas)
• Career Highlights: Lizzie McGuire (2001–2004), The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003), Younger (2015–2021), How I Met Your Father (2022–2023).
• Current Projects (2024-2025): Duff is making a major return to the music industry. She signed a new record deal and is executive producing an intimate docuseries, directed by Taylor Swift's Eras Tour helmer Sam Wrench, which will chronicle her long-awaited musical comeback. She also announced her first live performances in over a decade for early 2026, titled 'Small Rooms, Big Nerves' global shows. Her Hulu series, How I Met Your Father, was canceled in 2023 after two seasons.
• Personal Life: She is married to musician Matthew Koma, and they have three children.

Adam Lamberg (David “Gordo” Gordon)

Adam Lamberg’s career path is perhaps the most surprising, as he chose to step away from the entertainment industry almost entirely, only agreeing to return for the ill-fated revival.

• Full Name: Adam Matthew Lamberg
• Born: September 14, 1984 (New York City, New York)
• Career Highlights: Lizzie McGuire (2001–2004), The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003), When Do We Eat? (2005).
• Current Status (2025): After retiring from acting in 2008, Lamberg pursued higher education. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Baruch College. He now works in the academic and administrative sector, focusing on the behind-the-scenes aspects of entertainment and education, a stark contrast to his days as Lizzie's best friend.

Lalaine (Miranda Sanchez)

The actress who played Lizzie's other best friend, Miranda Sanchez, has continued to pursue a career split between acting and music, embracing her roots as a singer-songwriter and bassist.

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• Full Name: Lalaine Vergara-Paras
• Born: June 3, 1987 (Burbank, California)
• Career Highlights: Lizzie McGuire (2001–2004), You Wish! (2003), Easy A (2010).
• Current Projects (2024-2025): Lalaine remains active in the industry. She was recently credited with an acting role in the 2024 project Mind Your Business, marking a fresh return to the screen. She also continues to work on her music, demonstrating her talent as a singer-songwriter and bassist.

The McGuire Family and Classmates: New Careers in Law and Photography

The supporting cast members have arguably undergone the most dramatic and unexpected career shifts, with one trading the cheerleading uniform for a law degree and another swapping the camera crew for a life behind the lens as a professional photographer. This group highlights the "where are they now" curiosity most effectively.

Jake Thomas (Matt McGuire)

Lizzie’s mischievous younger brother, Matt, is now a multi-talented professional working both behind the camera and in the IT world.

• Full Name: Jake Thomas
• Born: January 30, 1990 (Knoxville, Tennessee)
• Career Highlights: Lizzie McGuire (2001–2004), A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), Cory in the House (2007–2008).
• Current Projects (2024-2025): Thomas is an accomplished photographer, specializing in traveling wildlife photography. His work is regularly updated on his professional website, with a new showcase for 2024. He also works as an IT professional and runs a Real Estate Media company, which offers listing photos and video services. He recently spoke out about the Lizzie McGuire revival "falling apart," offering insight into the creative differences that led to its cancellation.

Ashlie Brillault (Kate Sanders)

The former queen bee and Lizzie’s rival, Kate Sanders, has perhaps the most shocking and impressive career change, leaving Hollywood to pursue a career in law.

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• Full Name: Ashlie Brillault
• Born: May 21, 1983 (San Jose, California)
• Career Highlights: Lizzie McGuire (2001–2004), The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003).
• Current Status (2025): Brillault is a Criminal Defense Attorney. She attended law school in Denver, Colorado, and now works in criminal defense, representing clients in various legal matters. Her decision to pursue law full-time makes her one of the most successful former child stars to transition into a high-powered "normal" job.

The Parents, The Crush, and The Reboot's Downfall

The actors who played the supportive McGuire parents and the dreamy Ethan Craft have also continued their careers in new and interesting ways, demonstrating the diverse paths of the Disney Channel alumni.

Hallie Todd (Jo McGuire) & Robert Carradine (Sam McGuire)

The loving parents, Jo and Sam McGuire, were set to reprise their roles in the revival, but their professional focus today is on coaching and classic Hollywood legacy, respectively.

• Hallie Todd (Jo McGuire): In addition to acting, Todd is a long sought-after acting coach and teacher. She runs her own acting classes and private coaching, which have gained national recognition, working with actors of all skill levels.
• Robert Carradine (Sam McGuire): A member of the famous Carradine acting family, Robert is best known for his role as Lewis Skolnick in the Revenge of the Nerds series. While his recent roles have been fewer, he continues to act and is focused on the legacy of his extensive film and television career.

Clayton Snyder (Ethan Craft)

The handsome and popular Ethan Craft has traded his heartthrob status for a life centered on athletics and continued acting work.

• Full Name: Clayton Travis Snyder
• Born: September 9, 1987 (Los Angeles, California)
• Career Highlights: Lizzie McGuire (2001–2003), The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003).
• Current Status (2025): Snyder is an accomplished water polo player. He played for the United States men's national water polo team and continues to be involved in the sport. He has also returned to acting, appearing in various independent films and shorts, proving he hasn't entirely given up his Hollywood aspirations.

The Canceled Revival and The Future of the Cast

The biggest lingering question for fans remains the fate of the Disney+ revival. The series was announced in 2019 with much fanfare, with Hilary Duff, Adam Lamberg, Jake Thomas, Hallie Todd, and Robert Carradine all set to return. The plot was to follow a 30-year-old Lizzie McGuire navigating life in New York City.

However, production was halted due to creative differences. Hilary Duff wanted a more mature, adult-themed show that reflected a modern 30-year-old’s life, while Disney wanted to maintain a family-friendly tone that aligned with the Disney+ brand. Ultimately, Duff’s desire to honor the character’s growth led to the project’s cancellation in late 2020.

Despite the disappointment, the cast has moved on to new ventures. Hilary Duff’s return to music and her docuseries will be a major focus for 2025. The surprising and successful career shifts of Ashlie Brillault (Criminal Defense Attorney) and Jake Thomas (Wildlife Photographer) demonstrate that the stars of Lizzie McGuire have found fulfillment in careers far beyond the Disney Channel, proving that growing up is a journey full of unexpected, yet incredible, turns.