movies

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The cast of the early 2000s classic, What A Girl Wants.

 

If you grew up in the early 2000s, there’s a good chance you spent many nights in front of the TV watching What A Girl Wants.

The iconic 2003 Amanda Bynes movie was undoubtedly a sleepover staple alongside Mean GirlsRaise Your Voice and Bring It On.

In case you’ve forgotten, What A Girl Wants follows Daphne Reynolds, an American teenager who discovers her estranged father is a wealthy British politician running for office.

Now, 17 years later (yes, really), we decided to take a look back at the cast and see what they’re up to now.

Here’s what we found:

Amanda Bynes as Daphne Reynolds

Amanda Bynes was just 17 years old when she played the lead role of Daphne Reynolds in What A Girl Wants.

In the 2000s, the young actress quickly rose to fame following her roles in What A Girl Wants, She's The Man and Hairspray. 

But before long, the actress' personal life took a turn for the worse.

Following a supporting role in Easy A in 2010, Bynes quickly slipped away from the acting world as she announced her retirement at just 24 years old.

The following years for Bynes would be defined by a series of arrests, a very public meltdown and a continued struggle with drug addiction.

Now, nine years later, Bynes has opened up about her struggles with life in the public eye.

In a rare interview with Paper Magazine in November, the now-32-year-old shared that she is now four years sober.

The former actress also plans to embark on a Bachelor's degree this year in the hopes of designing her own clothing line in the future.

Recently, Bynes announced her engagement on Instagram. Although Bynes didn’t name her fiancé, The Blast reported that the man’s name is Paul Michael.

It’s believed the couple, who met while attending Alcoholics Anonymous, have been dating for a few months.

In late December, Bynes shared an Instagram photo of her new tattoo – a small heart on her left cheek.

Reporting on the news at the time, E! confirmed that Bynes had been living in a sober living community for several months.

“She hasn’t had a recent relapse and is not doing drugs or alcohol,” a source told the publication.

“She is focused on her sobriety right now and committed to it and she feels really good about it,” they added.

“She’s doing really well.”

Colin Firth as Henry Dashwood

Colin Firth played the role of Amanda Bynes' dad in What A Girl Wants - Lord Henry Dashwood, a wealthy British politician running for office.

Prior to his role in the 2003 classic, Firth was already a well-known name for his roles in Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones's Diary. 

Nearly two decades later, Firth is still very much involved in acting.

In recent years the 58-year-old has appeared in Mamma Mia!, The King's Speech and Kingsman: The Secret Service.

Kelly Preston as Libby Reynolds

Kelly Preston played the role of Amanda Bynes' single, hippy mother in What A Girl Wants.

Since appearing in the 2003 film, Preston has appeared in Medium, The Last Song and CSI: Cyber.

The 56-year-old actress is famously married to Grease star John Travolta.

The pair, who have been married for 27 years, met on the set of The Experts back in 1987.

Together they have three children, a son Jett, daughter Ella Bleu and son Benjamin born in 2010.

The couple's first son Jett suddenly passed away at only 16 years of age in 2009.

Oliver James as Ian Wallace

Remember this dreamboat?

If you watched What A Girl Wants, you probably had a crush on Ian Wallace.

English actor Oliver James played Amanda Bynes' love interest and eventual boyfriend in the film.

He then featured alongside Hilary Duff in Raise Your Voice the following year.

Despite appearing in TV movies Roadkill and Black Forest, the now 38-year-old has turned away from acting and turned his focus to music.

via GIPHY

Christina Cole as Clarissa Payne

Christina Cole played Bynes' soon-to-be stepsister in the film.

The role was Cole's second ever acting role on screen.

Since appearing in the film, Cole has appeared in Casino Royale, Jupiter Ascending and TV drama series Suits alongside Meghan Markle.

Anna Chancellor as Glynnis Payne

Anne Chancellor starred in the film as Lord Dashwood's fiancee and Bynes' soon-to-be evil stepmother.

Chancellor's best known role is in 2005 film The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

She has since appeared in Suburban Shoutout and The Hour, for which she received a BAFTA nomination.

Related Stories

Recommended