If you grew up in the 2010s, you probably spent a significant amount of time wondering why a fairy godmother hadn't showed up at your house with a box of magic candles. 16 Wishes was that movie. It wasn't just another Disney Channel Original Movie; it was a co-production with MarVista that somehow felt a little moodier, a little more "real" despite the literal magic. We all watched Abby Jensen blow out those candles, age up to 22, and realize that being an adult actually kind of sucks.
But where is the cast of 16 Wishes now?
It’s been over fifteen years since the film premiered in June 2010. Some of these actors became massive household names. Others basically vanished from the spotlight to build custom furniture or raise families in quiet Canadian suburbs. It’s wild how one project can be a massive springboard for some and a final bow for others.
Debby Ryan (Abby Jensen)
Honestly, Debby Ryan was already a star because of The Suite Life on Deck, but 16 Wishes proved she could carry a whole movie on her back. She played Abby with this specific kind of desperate teenage energy that made the "wish list" trope feel less cheesy. After the movie became the most-watched cable program on its premiere day (pulling in over 5.6 million viewers), Disney knew they had a goldmine.
They immediately gave her Jessie, which ran for four seasons and solidified her as Disney royalty.
But Debby didn't stay in the "mouse house" forever. She took a massive swing with the Netflix dark comedy Insatiable, playing Patty Bladell. It was controversial, weird, and a total 180 from Abby Jensen. Fast forward to 2026, and she’s arguably the most successful person from the original crew. She married Josh Dun from Twenty One Pilots in 2019, and her filmography has shifted toward indie projects and thrillers like Night Teeth and Shortcomings.
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She’s no longer the girl in the bright pink dress; she’s an established actress who survived the "Disney curse" and came out the other side with a really interesting, eclectic career.
Jean-Luc Bilodeau (Jay Kepler)
Every girl in 2010 had a crush on Jay Kepler. He was the ultimate "best friend who is secretly in love with you" trope. Jean-Luc Bilodeau brought a lot of heart to that role. Before the movie, he was known for Kyle XY, but 16 Wishes made him a teen heartthrob.
What did he do next? He stayed in the "nice guy" lane for a while.
He landed the lead role of Ben Wheeler in the Freeform (then ABC Family) sitcom Baby Daddy. That show was a massive hit for the network, running for six seasons and 100 episodes. It’s rare for a teen star to jump straight into a successful multi-cam sitcom and stay there for half a decade. After Baby Daddy wrapped in 2017, he starred in Carol's Second Act alongside Patricia Heaton.
While he hasn't been as "everywhere" as Debby Ryan lately, Jean-Luc has built a incredibly steady career in television. He’s one of those actors who just keeps working, even if he isn't constantly in the tabloids.
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Anna Mae Wills (Celeste)
We have to talk about Celeste. She was the "fairy godmother" who hung out in a beetle car and gave Abby the candles. She was played by Anna Mae Wills (then credited as Anna Mae Routledge). Celeste was the weird, cool mentor figure we all wanted.
Anna Mae didn't follow the typical Hollywood path.
She did some great work in shows like Harper's Island and even had a small role in the disaster flick 2012. However, around 2015, she stepped back from the grind of constant acting. She married her husband, Akshay Kanwar, in 2018 and has become a pretty vocal advocate for mental health and epilepsy awareness—a condition she’s lived with for most of her life. She lives in Vancouver now, which is actually where 16 Wishes was filmed. It’s a nice "full circle" moment. She seems much more focused on her family and her advocacy work these days than chasing red carpets.
Karissa Tynes (Krista Cook)
Every movie needs a "mean girl," and Krista Cook was the quintessential 2010 antagonist. Karissa Tynes played her perfectly—competitive, slightly insecure, and always dressed to the nines. The rivalry between Abby and Krista was the driving force of the movie, even more than the magic candles.
After the movie, Karissa stayed in the industry for a bit. She appeared in The Pregnancy Project and had some guest spots, but she hasn't had a major "breakout" role since. She’s one of those cast members who helped define a specific era of teen movies but hasn't remained a public figure in the way Debby or Jean-Luc have.
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The Family: Mike, Bob, and Sue Jensen
The Jensen family was actually stacked with solid Canadian talent.
- Cainan Wiebe (Mike Jensen): The younger brother who just wanted to play guitar. Cainan was a prolific child actor back then, appearing in Supernatural and Falling Skies. He’s still active in the industry but does a lot of voice work and smaller roles now.
- Patrick Gilmore (Bob Jensen): He played the dad. If he looks familiar, it’s because he’s a sci-fi legend. He was in Stargate Universe and later played David Mailer in the Netflix hit Travelers.
- Kendall Cross (Sue Jensen): The mom. Kendall has over 100 credits on IMDb. She’s basically the "Mom of Vancouver TV," appearing in everything from The Flash to Riverdale.
Why 16 Wishes Still Hits Different
Most Disney-era movies feel dated the second the credits roll. But 16 Wishes has a weirdly universal message about wanting to grow up too fast. The scene where Abby realizes she’s 22, has no friends, and her parents don't recognize her? That’s genuine horror for a teenager.
The movie worked because the cast of 16 Wishes felt like actual friends. Peter DeLuise, the director, leaned into the chemistry between Debby and Jean-Luc, and it paid off. It wasn't just about the magic; it was about the fact that Abby was so focused on her "perfect life" that she almost missed the person standing right in front of her.
What You Should Do Next
If you're feeling nostalgic, here is how you can actually engage with the world of 16 Wishes today:
- Check out Debby Ryan’s music: Her band, The Never Ending, has some great folk/indie rock vibes that are a far cry from the movie’s soundtrack.
- Watch Travelers on Netflix: If you want to see "Abby's Dad" (Patrick Gilmore) in a completely different, much darker light, it's a must-watch.
- Follow Anna Mae Wills on social media: She often shares really grounded, honest content about living with epilepsy and being a mom in Vancouver.
- Re-watch the movie: It’s usually available on Disney+ or for digital purchase. See if you can spot all the Vancouver landmarks in the background; most of it was filmed around Langley and Abbotsford.
The reality is that most of the cast moved on to live very normal, successful lives. Not everyone wanted to be a global superstar, and for a lot of the Vancouver-based actors, 16 Wishes was just a really fun gig that became a cult classic for a generation of kids.