If you’ve spent any time on Hulu or Disney+ lately, you’ve probably seen his face. Braeden De La Garza has this way of commanding the screen that feels less like a "new actor" and more like someone who’s been doing this for decades. Most people recognize him as the arrogant-turned-complex Brent Chambers from Cruel Summer or the scholarly Prince Emmett from The Quest.
But here’s the thing. There is a lot of noise online about his family connections—yes, he is Demi Lovato’s cousin—and while that makes for a great headline, it’s actually the least interesting thing about him.
He didn't just walk into a room and get handed a career. Honestly, the guy spent years scouring the internet for open casting calls in Texas, taking his first headshots on a phone in his bedroom. That’s a far cry from the "silver spoon" narrative people love to pin on Hollywood kids.
From Grapevine to the Global Stage
Braeden grew up in Grapevine, Texas. It’s a place he still talks about with a lot of love, reminiscing about grabbing Whataburger after baseball practice or hanging out at Six Flags. He wasn't some child star born in a studio lot. He was a regular kid who had a literal "lightbulb" moment at age eight while watching TV with his mom. He realized the kids on the screen were just pretending.
That was it. He was hooked.
He started where most theater nerds do: school plays. His big debut? Playing Little John in a sixth-grade production of Robin Hood: The Next Generation. He credits his teacher, Ms. Galt, for sparking that initial fire.
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By the time he hit his teens, he was already hustling. He once showed up to a casting call for an athletic brand in a tank top and shorts, only to realize he was surrounded by 25-year-old Olympic-level athletes. He swung a baseball bat for the producers and walked out knowing he didn't get it. It’s those kinds of "embarrassing" stories that make his current success feel earned.
Breaking Down the Braeden De La Garza Roles
If you want to understand why casting directors are obsessed with him, you have to look at the range. In the Disney+ series The Quest, he played Prince Emmett. The show was this weird, experimental blend of scripted drama and improv reality. He had to stay in character while interacting with "real" people who didn't know the script. That takes a specific kind of mental agility.
Then came Cruel Summer Season 2.
Playing Brent Chambers was a turning point. Initially, the character was supposed to be a one-dimensional "jerk" older brother. But Braeden didn't want to play a caricature. He dug into the motivations, trying to find why Brent was so abrasive to his brother Luke. By the end of the season, the writers had expanded the role because Braeden brought so much internal conflict to the character.
It wasn't just about being the "bad guy." It was about being a person who acts out because of their own baggage.
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A Quick Look at His Career Timeline:
- The Early Days: Local theater in Grapevine and school plays.
- The Breakout: Landing Prince Emmett in The Quest (2022).
- The Mainstream Hit: Starring as Brent Chambers in Cruel Summer.
- Recent Moves: A guest star appearance as Detective Rivers in the series Elsbeth (2024-2025).
The Secret Life of a Self-Taught Musician
When the cameras aren't rolling, Braeden De La Garza is basically a one-man band. This isn't just a "celebrity hobby" where someone pays a tutor to teach them three chords on a guitar.
He is entirely self-taught.
He plays:
- Guitar
- Piano
- Drums
- Bass
- Ukulele
- Harmonica
He actually produces, mixes, and masters his own music in his spare time. But don't go looking for a debut album on Spotify just yet. He’s been pretty vocal about the fact that music is his "escape." It's the one thing he does just for himself without the pressure of the industry. He’s said he has no immediate plans to release anything, which is kind of refreshing in an era where everyone is trying to monetize their side hustles.
Using the Platform for Something Real
It would be easy for a guy like Braeden to just post selfies and talk about his next movie. Instead, he’s leaned heavily into advocacy. Specifically, he’s a major supporter of The Trevor Project.
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Growing up in a conservative part of Texas, he saw firsthand how hard it can be for LGBTQ+ youth who don't feel accepted. He’s used his rising profile to push for suicide prevention and mental health awareness. It’s not just "brand-safe" PR; it seems to stem from a genuine place of wanting to see his community (and the world back home) be a bit kinder.
What’s Next for Braeden?
So, what should you keep an eye out for? He’s recently been seen on the red carpet for the Season 3 premiere of Elsbeth in New York, which suggests he’s still very much in the mix for prestige TV roles. He has expressed a massive interest in moving more into film, specifically because he likes the "finite" nature of movies—you inhabit a character, tell their story, and then you move on to the next one.
He’s currently living in Los Angeles, but he’s still that same kid who values persistence over everything else. His advice to other actors is basically his own life story: "Believe it's a matter of when, not if."
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Aspiring Actors:
- Watch the Range: If you've only seen him in Cruel Summer, go back and check out The Quest to see how he handles improv.
- Follow the Hustle: He’s active on Instagram and Twitter (X), where he often shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of his projects.
- Persistence is Key: Take a page out of his book—if you’re trying to break into a tough industry, stop waiting for an agent and start scouring the internet for your own opportunities.
- Support the Cause: Check out The Trevor Project if you want to support the organization Braeden champions.
Braeden De La Garza is a reminder that even in a town built on "who you know," what actually keeps you there is how hard you’re willing to work when no one is watching.