If you grew up in the mid-2000s, your afternoons were probably spent watching a girl in a ham costume or a dress made of literal markers try to keep a massive supernatural secret. Honestly, it was chaotic. That girl was Harper Finkle, the quirky, fiercely loyal, and fashion-forward best friend of Alex Russo. But who played Harper on Wizards of Waverly Place, and what actually happened to her after the Disney Channel wands were put away?
The actress is Jennifer Stone.
She wasn't just a sidekick. She was the anchor. While Selena Gomez was busy blowing things up with magic, Jennifer Stone was the one making sure the show had a heart—and a very weird wardrobe. It’s wild to think about now, but Stone’s portrayal of Harper was so specific that it’s almost impossible to imagine anyone else in those knitted caps or oversized earrings. She brought a grounded, albeit eccentric, energy to the Russo household that made the show more than just another "kid with powers" sitcom.
Why Jennifer Stone Was the Perfect Harper Finkle
Jennifer Stone didn’t just land the role by accident. She had been acting since she was a kid in Texas, even appearing in Secondhand Lions alongside Haley Joel Osment. When she joined the cast of Wizards of Waverly Place in 2007, she was only 14 years old.
The chemistry between Stone and Selena Gomez was immediate. It felt real. You’ve probably had a best friend like that—someone who knows your deepest, darkest secrets (like the fact that you’re a wizard) and still sticks around even when you accidentally turn them into a guinea pig.
Stone played Harper with a "take me as I am" attitude that resonated with a lot of kids who felt like outsiders. Her fashion sense wasn't just a gag; it was a character trait. She was an artist. She was an individual. In an era of Disney Channel "it girls" who all looked somewhat similar, Jennifer Stone was doing something completely different. She was loud, she was proud, and she was genuinely funny.
The Evolution of Harper
Early on, Harper was basically the comic relief who didn't know the truth. It was a classic sitcom trope. But as the seasons progressed, especially after the Season 2 episode "Harper Knows," her role shifted.
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Once Harper was brought into the wizarding world, the stakes changed. Stone had to play the "straight man" to the magical insanity while still keeping her own quirks. It’s a hard balance to strike. If she was too normal, the show got boring. If she was too weird, she became a caricature. Jennifer Stone found that sweet spot. She made Harper feel like a real person who just happened to enjoy wearing clothes made of duct tape.
Life After Waverly Place: A Major Career Pivot
Most Disney stars try to launch a massive pop career or immediately jump into a gritty indie film to prove they’re "grown-up." Jennifer Stone took a very different path. While she did continue acting—appearing in projects like Mean Girls 2 and the independent film The In-Between (which she also wrote)—her life took a turn that most fans didn't see coming.
In 2013, Jennifer was diagnosed with Type 1.5 diabetes (LADA).
It changed everything. She actually took a break from the spotlight to focus on her health and, eventually, her education. She didn't just go back to school for theater; she went to nursing school.
Think about that for a second. One of the stars of one of the biggest kids' shows in the world decided to work on the front lines of healthcare. She graduated and became a registered nurse, even working during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a level of real-world impact that you rarely see from former child stars. She’s been very open about how her diagnosis fueled her desire to understand the human body and help others navigating similar health challenges.
The Wizards of Waverly Pod
If you're looking for a hit of nostalgia, you've probably heard Jennifer Stone lately. She recently teamed up with David DeLuise (who played Jerry Russo) to host Wizards of Waverly Pod.
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They go back and rewatch the episodes, sharing behind-the-scenes secrets that we definitely weren't supposed to know back in 2008. It’s honestly refreshing. She talks about the long hours, the costume fittings that took forever, and what it was really like growing up on a soundstage. She isn't shy about the realities of being a teen actor, but she clearly still has a lot of love for the character of Harper.
The 2024 Revival: Wizards Beyond Waverly Place
The biggest question on everyone's mind lately has been about the revival. When Wizards Beyond Waverly Place was announced for late 2024, fans immediately started scouring cast lists.
While the new series focuses on Justin Russo (David Henrie) raising a new generation of wizards, the big question was whether the original gang would return. We know Selena Gomez is executive producing and appearing in the pilot. We know David Henrie is a series regular.
As for Jennifer Stone, the door has always been open. In her podcast and various interviews, she’s expressed a lot of excitement for the project. The fans want to see where Harper Finkle ended up. Is she a world-famous avant-garde fashion designer? Is she still living in a loft somewhere in New York? Or maybe she finally found a way to incorporate magic into her clothing line.
Seeing Jennifer Stone step back into those iconic shoes—even for a guest appearance—would be the ultimate full-circle moment for a generation of viewers.
What You Should Know About Jennifer Stone Today
If you’re following Jennifer Stone now, you’re seeing a woman who has balanced two completely different worlds. She is still an actress, she is still a writer, but she is also a healthcare professional and a health advocate.
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- She’s an advocate for Type 1 diabetes awareness. She uses her platform to educate people about the nuances of the disease, especially the often-misdiagnosed Type 1.5.
- She’s an author and creator. She’s been vocal about wanting to tell stories that reflect real experiences, including the struggles of health and identity.
- She’s active on social media. You can find her sharing bits of her life as a nurse, throwbacks to her Disney days, and updates on her latest creative projects.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Actors
Knowing who played Harper on Wizards of Waverly Place is just the beginning. Jennifer Stone’s career offers some pretty solid lessons for anyone looking to navigate the entertainment industry or even just a major career change.
First, your identity isn't fixed. Just because Jennifer was "Harper" to millions of people didn't mean she couldn't become "Nurse Stone" later in life. She proved that you can pursue multiple passions simultaneously without losing your essence.
Second, authenticity wins long-term. Harper Finkle was a character who celebrated being different. Jennifer Stone has carried that into her real life by being honest about her health struggles and her decision to step away from acting for a while. In a world of curated Instagram feeds, that kind of transparency is rare.
If you want to keep up with what Jennifer Stone is doing next, the best way is to tune into the Wizards of Waverly Pod. It’s where she’s most candid. You can also follow her advocacy work with organizations like Beyond Type 1. Whether she’s on a red carpet or in a hospital scrub suit, she remains one of the most grounded and respected figures to ever come out of the Disney Channel era.
To dive deeper into the world of the Russos, you can rewatch the original series on Disney+. Pay close attention to the background of Harper’s scenes; the prop department put incredible detail into her outfits, many of which Jennifer Stone helped conceptualize. Supporting her current projects, like her independent films or her podcast, is the best way to show appreciation for the actress who gave us the legendary Harper Finkle.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
Check out Jennifer Stone’s official social media channels to see her latest advocacy work for Type 1 diabetes. If you're a fan of the show's history, listen to the first few episodes of the Wizards of Waverly Pod to hear her first-hand account of the casting process and her early days on set. It's a great way to understand the work that went into creating one of television's most memorable best friends.