Twenty-three years. That is how long it’s been since Lizzie McGuire hopped on a plane to Rome, got gaslit by an Italian pop star, and performed at the Colosseum. Honestly, it feels like a lifetime ago. We all remember the outfits. The crimped hair. The blue eyeshadow. But looking at the cast of Lizzie McGuire movie today, things have changed significantly. It is 2026, and while the reboot famously died in the Disney+ trenches years ago, the actors themselves haven't stopped moving.
Some of them are still in the spotlight, dropping new music as we speak. Others? They basically vanished from Hollywood to become lawyers or event planners. It is a wild mix of "where are they now" stories that actually makes sense when you realize they were just kids when the movie wrapped.
The Queen of the 2000s: Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff isn't just Lizzie anymore. She's a mogul. In late 2025, she dropped a bombshell by announcing her newest album, luck... or something, set for a 2026 release. In fact, if you’re reading this on January 15th, her latest single "Roommates" literally just hit streaming platforms today.
She played both Lizzie and Isabella Parigi in the film, though most people don't realize her sister Haylie Duff actually provided the singing voice for Isabella. It's one of those weird industry secrets. Hilary's career didn't peak in Rome, either. After How I Met Your Father wrapped up its two-season run on Hulu, she pivoted back to music and her family. She’s now a mom of four, married to Matthew Koma, and somehow still looks like she hasn't aged since the graduation scene.
Whatever Happened to Gordo?
Adam Lamberg is the one everyone asks about. David "Gordo" Gordon was the ultimate "nice guy" best friend who finally got the girl at the end of the movie. But after the credits rolled in 2003, Lamberg didn't really want the fame.
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He did a couple of small indie films like Beautiful Loser in 2008 and then just... left. He went to UC Berkeley, got a degree in Geography, and moved to New York City. For a while, he was working at the Irish Arts Center. As of 2026, he’s still living that low-key life in NYC, working in fundraising and special events consulting. He did resurface for the table read during the pandemic, which sent the internet into a frenzy because, yes, he still has the curls. Sorta.
The Villain We Loved to Hate: Yani Gellman as Paolo
Paolo Valisari was the original "red flag." If you watch the movie now as an adult, he is terrifying. A 17-year-old pop star tricking a 14-year-old girl into a massive international scam? It's dark.
Yani Gellman, the actor, is actually a great guy, which makes the performance even better. He didn't disappear at all. He played Garrett Reynolds in Pretty Little Liars and has been working steadily in TV ever since. He’s 40 now. Let that sink in. He still acts in Canadian and American productions, recently appearing in the 2023 film Departing Seniors. He is basically the king of "I know that guy from somewhere" actors.
The Rest of the Hillridge Class
The supporting cast of Lizzie McGuire movie is where things get really interesting. You've got people who completely swapped careers:
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- Ashlie Brillault (Kate Sanders): The "outfit rememberer" herself. Ashlie quit acting almost immediately after the movie. She got a law degree and is currently a criminal justice lawyer in California. Honestly, it's the most Kate Sanders move possible—total boss energy.
- Clayton Snyder (Ethan Craft): The guy who taught us about the "seven-day hair rule." Clayton actually became an elite water polo player, competing for the USA Men's National Team. He still acts occasionally but seems way more into fitness and sports these days.
- Jake Thomas (Matt McGuire): Lizzie’s annoying brother is now a professional photographer and director. He’s the one who usually posts the behind-the-scenes reunion photos that make us all nostalgic. He’s still acting, but his eye for photography is what’s keeping him busy in 2026.
The Chaperone Legend: Alex Borstein
We cannot talk about this cast without Miss Ungermeyer. Alex Borstein was already a comedy legend, but her performance as the terrifying, carb-hating chaperone is top-tier.
Since the movie, her career exploded. She won multiple Emmys for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and is the voice of Lois Griffin on Family Guy. She was the only "adult" in the room who actually felt like a real person, and she's arguably the most successful cast member today in terms of critical acclaim.
Why the Reboot Failed (And Why It Matters)
People are still bitter about the 2020 reboot cancellation. Two episodes were filmed. Two! The problem was that Hilary Duff wanted Lizzie to be a real 30-year-old—dealing with cheating, adulthood, and messy situations. Disney wanted it to stay PG.
Terri Minsky, the original creator, was fired, and eventually, the whole thing was scrapped. It’s a bummer because the cast of Lizzie McGuire movie was all set to return. Even Robert Carradine (Sam) and Hallie Todd (Jo) were back on set. But in 2024, Lalaine (who played Miranda) narrated a book called Disney High that spilled a lot of tea about the Disney Channel era, which gave fans some closure on why that period was so chaotic.
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What to Do Next if You're Feeling Nostalgic
If you’re looking to scratch that 2000s itch, don’t just re-watch the movie on Disney+. Go check out Hilary Duff’s new single "Roommates" which dropped today—it’s a much more accurate reflection of what "Adult Lizzie" would actually sound like. You can also follow Jake Thomas on Instagram; he’s the best source for actual high-quality photos of the cast hanging out in real life without the corporate Disney filters.
For those of you wondering about a reunion, the 2020 table read of the "bra episode" is still on YouTube. It’s the closest we’re ever going to get to seeing the whole gang together again, and honestly, seeing Gordo and Lizzie laugh together in their 30s is enough to satisfy the inner middle-schooler in all of us.
Practical Next Steps:
- Listen to Hilary Duff’s new single: "Roommates" (Released Jan 15, 2026) to see her current artistic direction.
- Follow the cast on social media: Specifically Jake Thomas and Clayton Snyder, as they are the most active and share the most throwback content.
- Watch the 2020 Table Read: Search "Lizzie McGuire Table Read 2020" on YouTube for a hit of pure nostalgia that includes the original parents and Gordo.