If you grew up in the nineties, you basically wanted to be Matilda Wormwood. But if you were really cool, you wanted to be Lavender. She was the one with the oversized glasses, the absolute lack of fear regarding the Trunchbull, and, of course, the legendary Newt Incident. It’s been nearly three decades since Danny DeVito’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic hit theaters in 1996, and people are still constantly asking what happened to Lavender from Matilda now.
Kiami Davael played that iconic role. She wasn't just a sidekick; she was the emotional anchor that made Matilda's school life bearable.
Most child stars from that era took one of two paths. They either became massive A-list celebrities or they vanished into the "where are they now" listicles that populate the darker corners of the internet. Kiami’s path was different. It was quieter. More intentional. Honestly, looking at her life today, it’s clear she didn't just stumble out of Hollywood; she chose a life that prioritized her own voice over the whims of casting directors.
The Girl Behind the Newt
Kiami Davael was only six or seven years old when she filmed Matilda. Think about that for a second. At an age when most of us were struggling to tie our shoes, she was delivering comedic timing that rivaled seasoned pros.
The chemistry between her and Mara Wilson wasn't faked. It was real.
Even today, the two remain friends. That’s rare in this industry. You see these "reunion" photos on Instagram every few years, and usually, they feel a bit forced, right? Not with them. They genuinely seem to like each other. That bond is part of why the movie still resonates with people. It feels authentic because it was.
After Matilda, Kiami didn't just stop. She popped up in Moesha, In the House, and The Steve Harvey Show. She was a staple of black sitcom culture in the late 90s. Then, things slowed down. She didn't have a "downfall." She didn't have a public meltdown. She just grew up.
What Lavender from Matilda Now Actually Does
So, what is she actually doing in 2026?
Kiami Davael transitioned from being in front of the camera to focusing on writing and education. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Psychology. That’s a massive pivot from the glitz of movie sets, but it makes sense when you hear her speak. She has always been deeply grounded.
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She's a writer. A singer. A woman of faith.
- She wrote a short film called Reckless.
- She spends a lot of time mentoring young actors.
- She’s active on social media, but not in a "look at me" way. It's more about community.
People expect child stars to stay frozen in time. They want her to still have the pigtails and the glasses. But Kiami is a grown woman who has navigated the transition from child fame to adulthood with a level of grace that’s honestly impressive. She often shares throwbacks, sure, but she’s clearly more interested in her current projects than reliving 1996 on a loop.
Why We Are Still Obsessed With 90s Child Stars
There's this weird nostalgia we have for the Matilda cast. Maybe it's because the movie dealt with themes of neglect and finding your "chosen family." Lavender was the first person to choose Matilda. That sticks with you.
When we look for Lavender from Matilda now, we’re usually looking for a bit of our own childhood. We want to know that the kid who put a newt in a water pitcher turned out okay.
The industry is brutal. It chews up kids and spits them out.
Seeing Kiami Davael thriving—not necessarily as a billionaire movie star, but as a happy, educated, and creative adult—is a win. It’s a different kind of success story. It’s the kind that doesn't get enough headlines because there’s no scandal involved.
The Legacy of the Newt Scene
Let's talk about the newt. It’s the scene everyone remembers.
In a 2023 interview, Kiami mentioned how that scene defined her career. It was her moment of bravery. For many young girls of color in the 90s, seeing a smart, brave, and slightly mischievous girl like Lavender on screen was everything. She wasn't a stereotype. She was just a kid being a kid.
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That representation matters.
Even now, fans reach out to her to tell her how much that role meant to them. She doesn't shy away from it. She embraces it. But she also reminds people that she’s more than just a character from a Roald Dahl book.
Navigating the Modern Fame Landscape
Social media has changed how we interact with former stars. Kiami uses her platform to be transparent. She talks about the realities of the industry, her faith, and her journey as a creative.
She isn't chasing the spotlight.
There's a specific kind of peace that comes with knowing you’ve already been part of something iconic and don't have to prove anything else. If you follow her, you'll see a lot of positivity. It’s not the curated, fake positivity of an influencer; it feels like a person who has done the work to be happy.
The Matilda Musical and the New Generation
With the release of the Matilda musical on Netflix recently, a whole new generation is discovering the story. Naturally, this led to a massive spike in searches for the original cast.
People compared the new Lavender to Kiami.
While the new version was great, there’s something about the 1996 original that hits different. It had a grit to it. A weirdness. Kiami’s Lavender was the heart of that weirdness. She was the "normal" one who was still down for a revolution.
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Real Insights into Kiami’s Current Life
If you’re looking for a scandal, you won't find it here.
Kiami Davael lives a relatively private life in Southern California. She still attends fan conventions occasionally because she loves the fans. But her day-to-day involves a lot of behind-the-scenes creative work. She’s heavily involved in her church. She sings. She writes.
She’s lived a full life since the 90s.
It’s important to recognize that "success" for a former child star doesn't have to mean an Oscar. It can mean graduating college, having healthy relationships, and being a functional human being in a world that often tries to break people who start out in show business.
Practical Takeaways from Kiami Davael's Journey
Watching how Kiami handled her post-fame life offers some real-world lessons for anyone, not just actors.
- Pivot with Purpose: She didn't stay stuck trying to be an actress if it wasn't serving her. She went and got her degree.
- Maintain Real Connections: Her long-standing friendship with Mara Wilson shows the importance of keeping people around who knew you before you were "somebody."
- Own Your Narrative: She uses her social media to tell her own story, rather than letting tabloids do it.
- Value Privacy: You don't have to share everything to be relevant.
The story of Lavender from Matilda now isn't a tragic one. It’s a story of a kid who did a great job, took the money and the memories, and went off to build a life she actually likes.
For those looking to keep up with her, her social media is the best bet. She's often sharing insights into her writing process or just life updates. She remains a testament to the fact that you can survive Hollywood with your soul intact.
The best way to support former actors like Kiami is to engage with their current work. Don't just ask about the newt; ask about the screenplay. Don't just ask about the Trunchbull; ask about the music.
Moving Forward
If you want to see what Kiami Davael is up to today, your best bet is following her on Instagram or TikTok, where she occasionally shares "Life After Matilda" content alongside her current creative ventures. Support her by checking out her independent writing projects. Most importantly, remember that child actors are people first and characters second. Kiami Davael has proven that Lavender was just the beginning of a much more interesting story.
Actionable Next Steps
- Watch the 1996 Matilda again to appreciate the nuance Kiami brought to the role—it's better than you remember.
- Follow Kiami Davael on her official social channels to see her current writing and singing projects.
- Support independent creators who transitioned out of the traditional Hollywood system; they often produce the most authentic work.