Ever feel like a show just clicks because of one specific person? That's the vibe with Pretty Little Liars Chandler Kinney.
When the news first broke that Pretty Little Liars was getting the "reboot" treatment with Original Sin, fans were skeptical. I mean, how do you top the OG Rosewood drama? But then we met Tabitha "Tabby" Haworthe. Suddenly, the creepy masks and cryptic texts felt secondary to the girl who basically views life through a 35mm lens.
Chandler Kinney didn't just step into a role; she defined an era for a franchise that desperately needed a fresh perspective. She's not just another "Liar" in the group. She is the cinephile, the survivor, and frankly, the character who keeps the Millwood mystery from spiraling into total chaos.
The Horror Buff With a Heart
Most people know Kinney from her Disney days—hello, Zombies fans—but her transition into the grittier world of Pretty Little Liars was seamless. Tabby Haworthe is a horror movie fanatic. It’s her entire personality, and honestly? It’s relatable.
She works at the local theater, the Orpheum, and she’s constantly dropping references to Ari Aster or Jordan Peele. In the first season, her obsession felt like a quirky character trait. By the time we hit Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, it became her survival guide.
Kinney plays this with such a specific energy. It’s a mix of "I've seen this movie before, I know how it ends" and "I'm genuinely terrified this is happening to me." It’s that dual layer that makes her performance stick.
Why Tabby’s Trauma Matters
One thing the show handles with surprising grace—and Chandler Kinney handles with incredible maturity—is the storyline surrounding sexual assault. It’s heavy stuff.
In Original Sin, we find out that both Tabby and Imogen (played by Bailee Madison) share a history of trauma. This isn't just a "plot point" used for shock value. Kinney has spoken in interviews about how important it was for her to portray Tabby’s healing journey authentically.
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"Life doesn't work in seasons... trauma often can be something that you carry forever," Kinney told Girls United.
It’s refreshing to see a teen drama actually acknowledge that healing isn't linear. Tabby doesn't just "get over it" because the season finale aired. She carries it into her filmmaking, her relationships, and her guardedness.
Beyond the Screen: Who Is Chandler Kinney?
If you only know her as Tabby, you're missing out on a lot of the cool stuff she does in real life. Born in Sacramento on August 3, 2000, she’s been a performer since she was literally three years old.
She's not just an actress who "can" dance. She is a dancer. We’re talking professional training at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. She even competed in the Youth America Grand Prix, which is basically the Olympics for young ballet dancers.
That discipline shows up in her acting. There's a physicality to her performance as Tabby—even just the way she carries her camera or reacts to a jump scare—that feels intentional.
- Martial Arts: She’s a black belt. (Don't mess with her.)
- Philanthropy: She started "Chandler’s Friends" with her mom to help foster kids.
- Education: She actually majored in psychology at UCLA before the show took off.
Pretty Little Liars Chandler Kinney and the "Summer School" Shift
The second season, dubbed Summer School, took the stakes way higher. If the first season was about the parents' sins, the second was about the girls finding their own footing while being hunted by "Bloody Rose."
Tabby really took the lead here.
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Watching her direct her own horror film while living in one was a meta-narrative that only someone with Kinney's range could pull off. She brings a certain "final girl" energy that isn't just about screaming; it's about being the smartest person in the room.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Role
There’s this misconception that Tabby is just the "movie reference girl." You'll see comments online saying, "We get it, she likes films."
But if you look closer, those references are her shield. It’s how she processes a world that has been incredibly cruel to her. When she quotes a director, she’s trying to find structure in a life that feels like a slasher flick.
Kinney’s chemistry with Bailee Madison is also the backbone of the series. They call it the "Love Story" of the show—not in a romantic way, but in the way two women can become each other's "home" after surviving the unthinkable. It’s a rare depiction of female friendship that isn't built on backstabbing or boy drama.
Dancing with the Stars and Beyond
Recently, Kinney proved she hasn't lost those dance shoes. Her run on Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars was legendary.
She and her partner Brandon Armstrong were the first Black partnership in the show's history to make it to the finale. She took 3rd place, but let’s be real, she was pulling perfect scores like it was nothing.
Watching her go from the dark, moody lighting of Millwood to the glitter of the ballroom was a total trip. It showed a side of her that's vibrant and athletic, a far cry from the "jaded" (her words!) Tabby Haworthe.
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What’s Next for the Millwood Universe?
As we look toward the future of the franchise, one thing is certain: Pretty Little Liars Chandler Kinney is the face of the new generation.
Whether the show continues for more seasons or she moves on to major film roles—she’s already filming a project called Elle for 2026—her impact on the PLL legacy is set. She took a franchise that was arguably "done" and gave it a reason to exist in the 2020s.
Takeaways for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you're following Chandler's career, there are a few things you can actually learn from her trajectory.
First, versatility is everything. She didn't let the "Disney kid" label stop her from doing horror. Second, she uses her platform for actual good, not just for aesthetic Instagram posts.
Keep an eye on these specific things she does right:
- Authenticity in Trauma: She researches her roles to ensure she's not just "acting" but representing real experiences.
- Multitasking: She balanced a black belt, a UCLA degree, and a lead role on a hit series. It's about work ethic.
- Support Systems: She’s vocal about how her family keeps her sane in a weird industry.
To really appreciate her work in Pretty Little Liars, go back and watch the Season 1 finale, then jump to the Summer School finale. The growth in her character's confidence is a masterclass in long-term storytelling.
She isn't just playing a character; she's building a legacy.