10 Shocking Career Shifts And Personal Milestones That Define Joey King's 2024-2025 Era

Few young Hollywood stars have executed a career pivot as seamlessly as Joey King, transforming from a teen rom-com darling into a serious, genre-spanning actress and producer. As of December 10, 2025, King is not only a newlywed but also the face of major upcoming projects, including a massive Netflix sci-fi adaptation and a highly anticipated animated blockbuster, cementing her status as one of the industry's most versatile talents. This deep dive explores her most recent and exciting professional moves, her stunning personal milestones, and the projects that will define her career through 2026.

The actress, known for her breakout role as Elle Evans in The Kissing Booth trilogy, has strategically moved away from the young adult genre, embracing complex roles that showcase her dramatic range, while also stepping behind the camera as a producer. This intentional shift, combined with major life changes like her 2023 wedding to director Steven Piet, has made her a compelling figure to watch in the current entertainment landscape.

Joey King: Complete Biography and Career Timeline

Joey Lynn King is an American actress who began her career as a child star in commercials and minor television roles before achieving global recognition. Her journey is marked by a consistent effort to challenge herself with diverse and often intense characters.

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• Full Name: Joey Lynn King
• Date of Birth: July 30, 1999
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Spouse: Steven Piet (m. 2023)
• Sisters: Kelli King and Hunter King (also an actress)
• Career Start: Appeared in over 100 commercials starting at age four.
• Breakthrough Role (Child): Ramona Quimby in the film Ramona and Beezus (2010), opposite Selena Gomez.
• Global Fame: Elle Evans in The Kissing Booth film series (2018–2021) on Netflix.
• Critical Acclaim: Gypsy Rose Blanchard in the true-crime limited series The Act (2019), which earned her nominations for a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy Award.
• Recent Major Films: Bullet Train (2022), alongside Brad Pitt.
• Role Expansion: Has served as an executive producer and co-producer on several projects, including the final Kissing Booth film and The Act.

The Cinematic Pivot: Major New Projects and Genre Dominance

King's current slate of projects demonstrates a clear intention to dominate diverse genres, from animated family blockbusters to gritty sci-fi thrillers and high-profile fantasy sequels. These roles showcase her versatility, moving far beyond the high school hallways of her past hits.

1. Leading the Sci-Fi Revolution in Netflix's 'Uglies'

The most anticipated project on King's immediate horizon is the Netflix original film Uglies, a dystopian sci-fi movie based on the best-selling novel by Scott Westerfeld. King not only stars as the protagonist, Tally Youngblood, but also serves as an executive producer, signifying her increased creative control.

The film is set in a futuristic world where everyone is surgically transformed into a "Pretty" at age 16. King's character, Tally, lives in a society that enforces conformity, and the plot centers on her refusal to undergo the life-altering surgery. Directed by McG, Uglies is a high-concept movie that could launch a new franchise for the streaming giant. The film is set to premiere on Netflix on September 13, 2024.

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2. Joining the Animated Universe in 'Despicable Me 4'

In a surprising but strategic move, King has lent her voice to the global phenomenon of the Despicable Me franchise. She plays the new character Poppy Prescott in Despicable Me 4.

Poppy Prescott is described as a smart-alecky neighbor who gets Gru and his son, Gru Jr., tangled up in her own brand of chaos. This role allows King to tap into the massive audience of animated family films, further diversifying her portfolio and proving her voice acting capabilities alongside established stars like Steve Carell and Miranda Cosgrove.

3. Rumors Swirl for 'Practical Magic 2'

One of the freshest and most exciting pieces of news involves King's potential involvement in the sequel to the beloved 1998 fantasy film, Practical Magic. Reports indicate that King is in talks to star in Practical Magic 2, which would reunite her with original stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.

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The highly anticipated sequel, which is set to begin production in late summer 2025, would reportedly feature King as one of Bullock's daughters. If confirmed, this project would solidify her entry into major studio fantasy filmmaking and provide a high-profile platform for her next phase of her career.

Personal Milestones: The Journey to Marriage with Steven Piet

Away from the demanding schedule of film sets and red carpets, Joey King celebrated a major personal milestone that made headlines across 2023 and 2024: her marriage to director Steven Piet. Their relationship began on the set of her critically acclaimed series, The Act, where Piet served as a co-executive producer and director.

A Two-Part Wedding Celebration

King and Piet’s journey to marriage was a two-part affair, beginning with their engagement on a snowy day in February 2022—a date that was also their third anniversary. The couple first legally tied the knot in a civil ceremony in Los Angeles in August 2023.

This was followed by a breathtaking destination wedding in Mallorca, Spain, surrounded by their closest family and friends. The romantic celebration, which took place over several days, was a picturesque event that captured the attention of fans and media alike, marking a beautiful new chapter for the actress.

Topical Entities and Career Milestones: A Deep Dive

Joey King’s career is a tapestry woven with collaborations and memorable roles. Her ability to work with Hollywood heavyweights and transition between genres is a testament to her acting prowess.

• Collaborations: She has shared the screen with major names, including Brad Pitt (Bullet Train), Patricia Arquette (The Act), and Ryan Gosling (in Crazy, Stupid, Love).
• The Kissing Booth Legacy: Despite moving on, the trilogy remains a cornerstone of her fame, often linking her to co-stars like Jacob Elordi and Taylor Zakhar Perez, whom she was recently seen with at the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards.
• Genre Versatility: Her filmography spans horror (Slender Man), action (Bullet Train), psychological thriller (The Act), and family comedy (Ramona and Beezus, Despicable Me 4).
• Awards Recognition: Her Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for The Act firmly established her as a dramatic actress capable of handling challenging, real-life roles, a significant step up from her earlier work.

As she continues to take on roles that challenge her—from the sci-fi protagonist Tally Youngblood to the animated Poppy Prescott and a potential role in a major fantasy sequel—Joey King is expertly shaping a career that is both commercially successful and critically respected. Her strategic project choices and recent personal happiness make her one of Hollywood's most fascinating stars to follow into 2026.