Honestly, if you grew up in the late 2000s, you probably spent a significant amount of time debating whether you were a Mitchie or a Tess. It’s just how things were. But while everyone was busy obsessing over Joe Jonas's flat-ironed hair or Demi Lovato’s powerhouse vocals, a lot of us totally overlooked the real heart of the movie. I'm talking about Peggy from Camp Rock, played by the incredibly talented Jasmine Richards.
She wasn't just a backup singer.
Peggy, or Margaret Dupree if we’re being formal, represents one of the most relatable arcs in the entire Disney Channel Original Movie canon. She’s the classic "talented girl stuck in the shadow of a mean girl" trope, but with a payoff that actually felt earned. Most people remember the catchy "We Rock" finale, but the real emotional climax of the 2008 film happens much earlier, right on that stage during Final Jam.
The Peggy Camp Rock Moment That Changed Everything
Let’s look at the facts. For most of the movie, Peggy is basically a human prop for Tess Tyler. She’s part of the "it" girl clique, but she has zero agency. She spends her days doing background "oohs" and "aahs" while Tess sucks up all the oxygen in the room. It’s frustrating to watch, mostly because you can tell Peggy is miserable.
Then comes the breaking point.
Tess is being, well, Tess—hyper-controlling and dismissive. And Peggy just... snaps. But she doesn't snap by screaming or throwing a fit. She snaps by finding her voice. When she walks away from Tess and decides to perform "Here I Am" at Final Jam, it’s a massive middle finger to the status quo of the camp.
Why "Here I Am" Still Slaps
If you go back and listen to the Camp Rock soundtrack today, "Here I Am" holds up surprisingly well. It’s a mid-tempo pop-rock track that actually highlights Jasmine Richards' vocal range, even though in the movie, the character was supposed to be this "hidden gem."
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The lyrics are simple. "This is me, this is real." Wait, no, that’s Mitchie’s song. Peggy’s song is literally about visibility: "Here I am, baby, look at me." It’s the ultimate anthem for anyone who has ever felt like they were the "best friend" in someone else’s story.
What’s wild is that Peggy actually wins Final Jam.
Think about that for a second. In a movie starring the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato, the "background" character takes home the trophy. It was a bold narrative choice for Disney at the time. Usually, the protagonist wins everything, but giving the win to Peggy served a specific purpose: it proved that talent matters more than status.
The Mystery of Jasmine Richards and the Vocals
Here is where things get a little complicated, and where the "expert" trivia comes in. If you look at the credits for the Camp Rock soundtrack, you might notice something interesting. While Jasmine Richards played the role of Peggy in Camp Rock, she didn't actually sing "Here I Am" on the official recording.
The vocals were actually provided by Renee Sandstrom.
This was a fairly common practice for Disney back then. They did the same thing with Zac Efron in the first High School Musical (where Drew Seeley provided the singing voice). It doesn't take away from Richards' performance—her acting and her stage presence during that scene are what made the character iconic—but it’s a piece of trivia that many casual fans completely miss.
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Richards did, however, do her own singing in other projects and has since transitioned into different areas of the industry. She’s stayed active on social media, occasionally leaning into the nostalgia that fans still feel for the 2008 era.
Why Peggy Didn't Get Her Due in the Sequel
Then we get to Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam.
Kinda disappointing, right?
Peggy is still there, but her character development feels like it hit a brick wall. She’s back to being part of the ensemble. The rivalry between Camp Rock and Camp Star takes center stage, and the individual growth of the side characters gets pushed to the periphery. We see her performing in "Can't Back Down" and "It's On," but that spark of independence we saw in the first film isn't as central.
It’s a shame because Peggy could have been a bridge. She was the one who knew what it was like to be under the thumb of a "diva," which would have made her a perfect mentor for the younger campers or even a foil to the Camp Star performers.
Lessons We Can Actually Take From Peggy’s Arc
We talk a lot about "main character energy" these days. Peggy is the blueprint for shifting from a supporting role to a lead.
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- Silence isn't loyalty. Peggy stayed quiet because she thought she had to. She realized that being part of the "cool crowd" wasn't worth losing her identity.
- The "Win" is internal first. Before she won the trophy, she won her freedom by quitting Tess’s group. That was the real victory.
- Talent needs a stage. You can be the best singer in the world, but if you’re hiding in the back of the choir, no one will ever know.
If you’re revisiting the movie on Disney+ anytime soon, pay attention to the background. Watch the way Peggy reacts to Tess in the early scenes. The subtle eye rolls, the slumped shoulders—it’s all there. Jasmine Richards put in the work to make Peggy feel like a real person, not just a script requirement.
What to do with this nostalgia
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of 2000s DCOMs or the career of the cast, here is the best way to move forward.
Check the soundtrack credits. Take a look at your favorite Disney soundtracks from 2006 to 2010. You’ll be shocked to find how many actors were dubbed. It’s a fascinating rabbit hole that changes how you view those "live" performances.
Follow the cast on social media. Jasmine Richards is active and occasionally shares behind-the-scenes memories. Seeing where the "Connect 3" and the rest of the campers ended up 15+ years later is a great way to put the era into perspective.
Re-watch the Final Jam. Don't just skip to "This Is Me." Watch Peggy’s performance of "Here I Am" with the knowledge that she was technically the "winner" of the movie. It changes the vibe of the ending entirely.
The legacy of Camp Rock isn't just about the stars who became household names. It’s about the characters like Peggy who reminded us that even the quietest person in the room has a song worth hearing.