The Another Cinderella Story Cast: Where the Stars of This 2008 Sequel Are Today

Let’s be real for a second. If you grew up in the mid-2000s, you didn't just watch movies; you lived them through your iPod Nano. And honestly, while the 2004 Hilary Duff original is the "classic," Another Cinderella Story (often called Cinderella Story 2 by fans) carved out a very specific, dance-heavy niche in our hearts. It wasn't just a sequel. It was a cultural reset for the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon crossover era.

Finding the right Another Cinderella Story cast members was a stroke of genius by the casting directors. They didn't just grab random actors. They grabbed a burgeoning pop star and a guy who seemed to be in every teen movie for a five-year stretch. It’s been well over a decade since Mary Santiago lost her Zune—yes, a Zune—at the Black and White Ball. Looking back now, the career trajectories of this group are wild. Some became absolute titans of the industry. Others leaned into the indie scene or stepped away from the spotlight entirely.

Selena Gomez: From Mary Santiago to Global Icon

It’s almost funny to think there was a time when Selena Gomez was "just" a TV actress. In 2008, she was right in the thick of Wizards of Waverly Place mania. Playing Mary Santiago allowed her to show off something she hadn't fully explored on Disney Channel: serious choreography.

People forget how much work went into those dance sequences. Selena wasn't just hitting marks; she was holding her own next to professional dancers. Since then, her life has been a whirlwind. You’ve seen her dominate the Billboard charts, but her turn as Mabel Mora in Only Murders in the Building is what really solidified her as an Emmy-nominated powerhouse. She’s also a mogul now. Rare Beauty isn't just a celebrity makeup line; it's a billion-dollar juggernaut that changed the conversation around mental health and inclusivity in beauty.

Mary Santiago was the underdog who practiced her moves in a dusty bedroom while her step-family treated her like a maid. Today, Selena Gomez is anything but an underdog. She is one of the most followed people on the planet. Yet, if you watch her latest interviews, that same "Mary" sincerity is still there. She’s dealt with lupus, a kidney transplant, and the relentless heat of the tabloids, but she’s come out the other side as a respected producer and advocate.

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Andrew Seeley: The King of the 2000s Musical

Then there’s Andrew "Drew" Seeley. If you were a teen girl in 2008, Drew Seeley was basically royalty. He played Joey Parker, the pop star who returns to high school to find his "mystery girl."

Drew was the "it" guy for musicals. Fun fact: he actually provided the singing voice for Troy Bolton in the first High School Musical movie because Zac Efron’s natural voice was too low for the tracks at the time. By the time he joined the Another Cinderella Story cast, he was a seasoned pro. Joey Parker was the perfect role for him because he actually is a singer-songwriter.

After the movie, Drew didn't just vanish. He went to Broadway. He played Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid on stage. He’s been a staple in Hallmark and Lifetime movies, which is honestly the natural evolution for a teen heartthrob. He’s married to actress Amy Paffrath now, and they have a daughter. While he might not be at the center of the Hollywood "A-list" paparazzi scene like Selena, his career is the definition of "working actor" longevity. He’s stayed busy, stayed talented, and stayed incredibly kind to his fanbase over the years.

The Supporting Cast: Villains and Sidekicks

Jane Lynch as Dominique Blatt

Before she was the terrifying Sue Sylvester on Glee, Jane Lynch was Dominique Blatt. She was the fading pop star stepmother who was obsessed with her own "comeback." Lynch is a comedic genius. Period. Her performance in this movie is pure camp. She took a character that could have been a flat villain and made her hilariously delusional. Lynch’s career exploded shortly after this movie, winning Emmys and becoming a household name. She brought a level of prestige to this "straight-to-DVD" sequel that most people didn't expect.

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Jessica Parker Kennedy as Tami

Every Cinderella needs a best friend, and Tami was one of the best. Jessica Parker Kennedy played the aspiring fashion designer with a lot of heart and a lot of sass. Jessica’s career took a very cool, "genre" turn after 2008. She went from teen comedies to playing Max in the gritty pirate drama Black Sails. Then, she joined the DC Universe as Nora West-Allen (XS) on The Flash. She’s one of those actors who you see in a show and think, "I know her from somewhere!" and then you realize she was the girl who made Mary’s dress for the ball.

Emily Perkins and Katharine Isabelle

The "evil stepsisters" Britt and Bree were played by two legends of Canadian horror. This is a weird bit of trivia: Emily Perkins and Katharine Isabelle starred together in the cult classic werewolf movie Ginger Snaps. Seeing them go from a dark, bloody horror film to playing airheaded, mean-girl stepsisters in a Cinderella movie was a trip for film buffs. They were perfect. They had an effortless chemistry that made their bickering feel real.

Why the Chemistry Actually Worked

Movies like this often fail because the leads feel forced. With this group, it felt like they were actually having a blast. The dance battle scene in the school hallway? That required weeks of rehearsal. The Another Cinderella Story cast had to function more like a theater troupe than a film crew.

Director Damon Santostefano focused heavily on the musicality. Unlike the first movie, which was a standard rom-com, this one was essentially a musical. If the cast couldn't dance, the movie would have flopped. Even the background dancers were top-tier, many of whom went on to tour with major artists like Lady Gaga and Beyoncé.

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The Cultural Longevity of the "Zune" Movie

It’s funny to look back at the technology. Mary didn't leave a glass slipper; she left a Zune. For those who don't remember, the Zune was Microsoft’s attempt to compete with the iPod. It’s now a relic of the past, much like the low-rise jeans and chunky highlights seen throughout the film.

But the movie stays relevant because of the cast’s talent. It’s a comfort movie. When it hits streaming services like Netflix or Disney+, it almost always trends. People have a deep-seated nostalgia for the era of "Starstruck" and "Tell Me Something I Don't Know."

Key Career Milestones Since 2008

To understand how far they've come, look at the shifts in their professional lives:

• Selena Gomez: Executive produced 13 Reasons Why, launched a massive beauty brand, and became a critical darling in comedy-mystery television.
• Jane Lynch: Hosted Hollywood Game Night, voiced characters in Wreck-It Ralph, and became a Broadway regular.
• Drew Seeley: Released several albums including The Resolution and became a mainstay in the Christmas movie circuit.
• Jessica Parker Kennedy: Transitioned into major TV roles in The Secret Circle and the Arrowverse.

Practical Takeaways for Fans

If you're looking to revisit the work of the Another Cinderella Story cast, don't just stop at the movie.

1. Check out the soundtrack: It’s actually on Spotify. "New Classic" is still a bop, honestly.
2. Follow their current projects: Selena's Only Murders is a must-watch, and Jane Lynch's voice work is everywhere.
3. Watch Ginger Snaps: If you want to see the stepsisters in a completely different (and much darker) light, it's a Canadian cinema staple.
4. Look for the "Easter Eggs": If you re-watch the movie now, you'll see several background actors who are now famous influencers or professional choreographers in the LA scene.

The legacy of this film isn't just about a fairy tale. It’s about a group of young actors who were on the cusp of something huge. They took a simple premise and turned it into a high-energy, memorable moment in pop culture history. Whether you came for the dancing or the nostalgia, the cast is what made it stick.

Moving forward, if you're tracking the careers of these stars, pay attention to the production credits. Many of them, especially Selena and Jane, have moved behind the camera to shape the industry they've been a part of for decades. Keep an eye on indie film festivals as well, as Seeley and Kennedy often pop up in character-driven roles that deviate from their "teen idol" roots.