You remember the early 2000s. It was a time of low-rise jeans, Razr flip phones, and a bizarre obsession with body-swap comedies. Right in the middle of that fever dream was The Hot Chick, a movie that, on paper, sounds like a total disaster. A popular mean girl swaps bodies with a sketchy criminal? It’s pure chaos. But if you revisit it today, you’ll notice something—or rather, someone—who actually holds the whole emotional mess together.
I’m talking about Matthew Lawrence.
In the film, he plays Billy, the sweet, slightly oblivious, but fiercely loyal boyfriend of Jessica Spencer. Honestly, in a movie filled with Rob Schneider’s slapstick and Rachel McAdams’ iconic "mean girl" energy (pre-Mean Girls!), Lawrence had a tough job. He had to be the straight man. He had to make us believe he was actually in love with a character who, for most of the runtime, looks like a hairy guy in a tank top.
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Who Exactly Is Billy?
Billy isn’t just "the boyfriend." He’s basically the gold standard for high school sweethearts. While Jessica (initially played by McAdams) is busy being the terror of the hallway, Billy is the one offering a grounded, kinder perspective.
When the swap happens and Jessica ends up in Clive’s body (Schneider), the movie hits its peak absurdity. But the scenes with Matthew Lawrence are where the heart actually lives. Think about the scene where Jessica-as-Clive tries to convince him of her identity. It’s played for laughs, sure, but Lawrence brings this earnest, confused vulnerability to it. You’ve got to respect an actor who can stare into Rob Schneider’s eyes and project "longing."
The Real Matthew Lawrence: Beyond the Screen
It’s easy to pigeonhole him as just another Lawrence brother. We’ve got Joey "Whoa!" Lawrence and the younger brother, Andy. They’re a Hollywood dynasty in their own right. But Matthew has always had a different vibe.
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By the time The Hot Chick hit theaters in 2002, Matthew was already a veteran. He’d done Mrs. Doubtfire. He was Jack Hunter on Boy Meets World. He knew how to handle a comedy set. Interestingly, even with all that fame, he’s always seemed like a guy who just... likes the work. He isn't chasing the spotlight 24/7.
Actually, if you look at his life lately, it’s arguably more interesting than any movie script.
A Modern Romance with a Legend
If you haven't been keeping up with celebrity news, Matthew Lawrence is currently dating Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas from TLC. Yeah, the "No Scrubs" legend.
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They started dating in late 2022 after a chance meeting on a plane. A snowstorm and a canceled flight—it’s literally a rom-com setup. They went public in early 2023, and since then, they’ve become one of the most low-key "power couples" in the industry. It’s a huge shift from his previous high-profile marriage to Dancing with the Stars pro Cheryl Burke, which ended in 2022.
Matthew has been vocal about how this relationship feels different. He’s talked about "peace" and finding someone who makes the "ease" of life feel real. They’re even working together now! They are co-hosting a new unscripted reality series called Second Chance Love for Hallmark+, which premiered on New Year's Day, 2026. They spent time in Sardinia filming it, helping other couples find the kind of connection they have.
Why The Hot Chick Still Hits Different
Look, critics didn't love this movie. It’s got a 15% on Rotten Tomatoes. But audiences? They didn't care. It doubled its budget at the box office because it’s fun.
The chemistry between the cast is what saves it. You have Anna Faris as April, being the best friend everyone wishes they had. Then you have Lawrence as Billy, providing the romantic stakes. Without Billy, the movie is just a series of gross-out gags. With him, there’s actually a reason for Jessica to want her body back—she wants her life, and her guy, back.
Fun Facts You Probably Missed:
- The movie was filmed at real California high schools, including El Segundo High and Redondo Union High.
- Adam Sandler produced it under Happy Madison, which explains why his frequent collaborator Rob Schneider is the lead.
- Matthew Lawrence’s role as Billy was one of his last major "teen" roles before he transitioned into more adult, indie, and TV work.
What’s Next for Matthew?
At 45, Lawrence is busier than people realize. He isn't just a face from your favorite childhood sitcom anymore.
- Podcasting: He co-hosts the Brotherly Love Podcast with Joey and Andy. It’s a nostalgia trip, but they also get into the grit of being child actors in Hollywood.
- Reality TV: Beyond the Hallmark show with Chilli, he’s popped up on things like Worst Cooks in America and even The Masked Singer recently.
- Acting: He’s still hitting the procedural circuit, with recent guest spots on NCIS as Danny Butler.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you’re feeling nostalgic for that 2000s energy, here is how to dive back in properly:
- Watch the Classics: Re-watch The Hot Chick specifically for the chemistry between Matthew Lawrence and Anna Faris. It’s better than you remember.
- Listen In: Check out the Brotherly Love Podcast. It’s a great way to see the real dynamic between the Lawrence brothers without the scripts.
- Hallmark+: If you want to see Matthew and Chilli’s real-life chemistry, Second Chance Love is the move.
The reality is that Matthew Lawrence is one of those rare actors who survived the child-star era with his soul—and his career—intact. Whether he's playing the dream boyfriend in a body-swap comedy or hosting a reality show in Italy, he brings a certain sincerity that’s hard to find. He’s more than just the guy from that "hot chick" movie; he’s a staple of the entertainment landscape who finally seems to have found his own "second chance" at a happy ending.