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Brenda Song

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Brenda Song

Brenda Song (born March 27, 1988[2]) is an American actress and singer. After appearing in several television roles during the late 1990s and early 2000s, she is now best known for starring in the Disney Channel Original Series, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody as the spoiled heiress London Tipton.[3] Her fame increased in 2006 after she starred in Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior[4][5] which is currently the fifth highest viewed Disney Channel Original Movie, with over 5.7 million viewers on the night of its premiere.[6] Song's performance in the film earned her several awards including a Asian Television Award. Song helped co-produce the film, and she and Shin Koyamada will star in the Wendy Wu sequel.

Song has appeared in other Disney Channel original series, and movies. She has guest appearances in many other television series, and she won a Young Artist Award for her work in The Ultimate Christmas Present. She was voted one of Teen People's 25 hottest stars under 25.

Early life

Song was born in Carmichael, California (a suburb of Sacramento) to a Hmong father and a Thai American mother.[2] Her paternal grandparents were part of the Xiong clan, but changed their last name to Song when the family immigrated to America in 1975.[1] Her mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, is a homemaker, and her father works as a second-grade teacher.[7] Song has two younger brothers, Timmy and Nathan. She was spotted by a talent agent at age 3 in a shopping mall.[8]

Song holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do[2] and was named an All-American Scholar in ninth grade. She was home schooled, earned a high school diploma at age 16 and has taken college courses online from the University of California.[7] Song is currently majoring in Psychology.[1]

Career

Acting

Early work (1995–2002)

Song started in show business as a child fashion model in San Francisco. She began acting with a Little Caesars commercial at age five.[9][7] She also appeared in a Barbie commercial.[7] Song then had a small role in the television program Thunder Alley, where she appeared in two episodes.

Song's first film appearance was the 1995 short film Requiem, an AFI student film by actress Elizabeth Sung. Song was discovered at 7 years old to play a young version of "Fong", who is played as an adult in the film by Tamlyn Tomita. The film won a CINE Golden Eagle award.[10] Song later appeared in another short film directed by Elizabeth Sung called "The White Fox".[1]

Song's first role in a theatrical motion picture was with Santa with Muscles, a 1996 independent film starring professional wrestler Hulk Hogan. Her next film appearance was in Leave It to Beaver (1997) as Susan Acustis.

Song's first major television role came in 1999 with Nickelodeon's 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd, where she played Sariffa Chung. After this she had numerous minor television roles in 7th Heaven, Once and Again, Popular, Judging Amy, and The Nightmare Room, and appeared in Bette with close friend Ashley Tisdale in 2001.

Song starred in the 2000 Disney movie The Ultimate Christmas Present, which won her a Young Artist Award for "Best Performance in a TV Movie Comedy, Supporting Young Actress".[11] In late 2004, Song starred in the Disney movie Stuck in the Suburbs, where she portrayed Natasha Kwon-Schwartz. The film was one of the most viewed Disney Channel Original Movie of 2004. She earlier appeared in another Disney movie called Get a Clue with Lindsay Lohan.

Her 2002 appearance on The Bernie Mac Show led to a Young Artist Award nomination for the category "Best Performance in a Television Comedy Series, Guest Starring Young Actress".[12]

Her first major role in a feature film occurred the same year in the family film Like Mike, which remains her highest grossing film to date. The film also starred rapper Bow Wow. Song portrayed the character Reg Stevens; the film received positive reviews and was successful enough to spawn a sequel, although Song did not participate.

Disney Channel (2003–present)

After 2002, Song continued to make guest appearances in Disney Channel shows like That's So Raven, and had minor roles in many American sitcoms. She had a recurring role as Tia in the Disney Channel's Phil of the Future, appearing in seven episodes in 2004 and 2005.

Song appeared in Get a Clue with actress Lindsay Lohan, and in 2004 she appeared in Warner Brothers's A Cinderella Story with Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray.[13] The film was given mixed reviews by most critics, but the film was a box office success garnering $66 million worldwide.

Song won the role of the selfish heiress London Tipton on Disney Channel's The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.[14] The series eventually earned a 2007 Young Artist Award for "Best Family Television Series (comedy)",[15] an Emmy nomination for "Outstanding Children's Program",[16] and two Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards for "Favorite TV show".[17]

As the Suite Life series became popular, Song became a featured performer on the Disney Channel, and acquired a voice role in Disney's American Dragon: Jake Long series. In 2006, Song had a voice-over role in Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn't Happen, which also featured the voices of fellow Disney Channel stars Dylan and Cole Sprouse and Emily Osment.[18] She appeared in the Disney Channel Games 2006 as captain of the Blue Team, and in the second rendition of the Disney Channel Games as captain of the Red Team. In late 2006, Song was invited to present the category for "Outstanding Lead Performance" at The NAACP Image Awards with Ashley Tisdale.

Song had her breakthrough role in 2006, starring in and co-producing the Disney Channel Original Movies Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior,[19] which received 5.7 million viewers[20] making Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior the fifth highest viewed Disney Channel Original Movie.[6] The film also received the highest rating in the history of Disney Channel Japan. To promote the film, Song traveled to Malaysia, Singapore, and Costa Rica.[21]

Awards and achievements

In 2006, she was voted one of Teen People's 25 hottest stars under 25. Song ranked ninth in Netscape's "Top 10 Pretty Petites in Entertainment".[22] In December 2006, CosmoGIRL! and Popstar! Magazine named her The Queen of Disney, and the readers of Askmen.com named her "Actress of the Year". Song ranked #10 on Interview's "future stars of tomorrow". Song was voted one of "Aol's Top 20 Tween (and Teen) TV Stars".[23]

Song has won a Young Artist Award for the category "Best Performance in a TV Movie Comedy, Supporting Young Actress" for her performance in The Ultimate Christmas Present. Song later received a "Young Artist Award" nomination for the category "Best Performance in a Television Comedy Series, Guest Starring Young Actress" on The Bernie Mac Show. In 2005, Song was nominated for the "Best Role Model" award at "The Golden Icon Awards", for her work in Suite Life she was also nominated for "The Rising Star" award at "Fort Myers Beach Film Festival". In 2007, Song was nominated for a "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards France" award. In 2006, Song won a Asian Television Awards for the "Best Newcomer Award" and a "Disney Channel Japan" award for "Favorite Disney Channel TV Star". Song also was a part of the Wendy Wu ensemble win at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival.

Current projects

Song is currently hosting a new Disney Channel short series called Pass the Plate, which is a multicultural series produced in ten countries in association with Disney Channel.[24] Song then starred in a Disney Channel online series called London Tipton's Yay Me![25] based on the episode Tiptonline on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.

Song will return as London Tipton in a Suite Life spin-off called The Suite Life on Deck.[26] Production was delayed due to the 2007 Writers Guild of America strike. The show will be set on a cruise ship with the brothers and London attending a semester-at-sea program.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Song is set to star in Lifetime Movie Network telefilm Special Delivery.[27] The film is about a bonded courier who transports a bratty teenager on an international flight, but realizes a trap has been set up for them when they reach the United States.

Song appeared in the Walt Disney Pictures film College Road Trip[28][29] with Raven-Symoné and Martin Lawrence. The film was released in worldwide cinemas on March 7, 2008. In its opening weekend, the film grossed $13.6 million, ranking #2 at the box office. As of March 30, 2008, it has grossed a total of $38,000,000 in the United States and Canada. The film is Song's third highest grossing film below Like Mike. To promote the movie Song and Raven-Symone were at the WWE Wrestlemania XXIV.

Song was set to star in American Darlings,[30] a feature film with Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Lopez. The film was never released. A Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior sequel, starring Song and Shin Koyamada, is set to begin filming in 2008.[31] Song had a brief cameo in the Disney Channel Original Movie Camp Rock credited as "Girl near Lake".

Song currently resides in Los Angeles, California, and is an avid Los Angeles Lakers fan.[2] She is represented by the International Creative Management[27] and Curtis Talent Management.[32]

Music

Disney (2005-present)

Song was part of the Disney Channel Circle of Stars, a group of performers from several different Disney Channel television series. She took part in the recording of a version of "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes". The recording appeared on both the special edition Cinderella DVD and on the DisneyMania 4 CD. The album CD was released in April 2005 under the Walt Disney Records label. The album became the second highest-peaking album in the series (behind DisneyMania 5 which debuted at peaked at #14), peaking at #15 on the Billboard 200 and, to date, has been certified Gold by the RIAA. To date, the album has sold over 717,000 copies, according to HITS Daily Double.[33]

Song later appeared as the leading lady in the Nobody's Angel music video for "Always Tomorrow". In 2004, Song appeared in Jesse McCartney's music video for "Good Life" and Anneliese van der Pol's music video for "Over It". She also appeared in the music video for "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" which is featured in the Cinderella DVD. The music video is available in the U.S. Itunes store with the song. In late 2006, the video landed #7 and the song landed #5 in the Itunes chart.

Song recorded a song for Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior called "I'm Not That Girl" written by Eddie Galan.[citation needed] The song aired on Radio Disney and landed #2 on Radio Disney's Top 30. The track was released in 2007 under Walt Disney Records label and peaked at number 2 in the American Pop Airplay.

She also sang a variety of different songs on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody in the Suite Life High School Musical themed episode, Song performed "Bop To The Top" and "Realy Great". She earlier sang "Bling Is My Favourite Thing" on the Commercial Breaks episode on Suite Life. "Bling Is My Favourite Thing" has been used in commercials for ABC's Ugly Betty, and "I'm Not That Girl" has also been used in commercials for ABC Family's Lincoln Heights. "Really Great" was the theme song for Disney Channel online series London Tipton's Yay Me!.

Other projects

Ian Scott has written and produced demo songs for her.[34] In 2006, several tracks recorded by Song leaked on Scott's Myspace page. The songs leaked included "Girl Like Me", "Open Up Your Eyes" and "Hearts and Souls". In late 2007, several other songs were leaked. The songs are credited to Mark Jackson Productions, which is associated with Warner Bros. Records. Some of Songs tracks were featured in MTV's The Hills.

Song has also recorded several other demo tracks (before starting production for Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior with several producers. When asked if she plans to break into the music scene with an album, Song replied, “Well if the opportunity were to come about, I'd be stupid to say no.”

Public image

Song turned 20 on March 27, 2008 and spoke out against becoming another wild Hollywood star. "Besides Hollywood grand-openings and award shows, I try to stay away from the parties. It’s so easy to be swept away from that whole scene because it’s expected of you. I’ve never drank or smoked in my entire life, but I’ve seen 15-year-olds drinking and smoking and I just think that’s gross."[1] According to Time, Song is one of the three Disney starlets who have not been involved in the Hollywood party girl scene, along with Hilary Duff and Raven Symoné.

In 2006, Song was hostess for the "A World Of Change" annual charity fashion show fundraiser to benefit Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services.[35] Song also participated in The 10th Annual L.A. Cancer Challenge.[36] In addition as part of the Disney Channel Games 2007, Song's team supported the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Song has also participated in "Much Love Animal Rescue Shop 'Til You Drool Benefit" and "LA Mission's 2005 Thanksgiving", where she donated food to Hollywood's homeless.

In 2007, Song started hosting a Disney special daily segment called Pass the Plate, where she helps kids and their families learn more about healthy food. In 2006 and 2007, Song participated in the YMCA Healthy Kids Day in Chicago.[37]

In November 2007, Song supported the Writers Guild of America West solidarity march in Hollywood Los Angeles, California on November 13. The strike started on November 5, 2007.[38]

Products and endorsements

In 2005, Song helped design a line of fashion dolls for the Suites de Las Estrellas named after her.[39][40] Song is currently endorsing the Bebe clothing brand, Song is also an endorser for the clothing company, "Red" by Marc Ecko.[41] She has also participated in commericals for Little Caesars and Barbie, with Raven Symone.[7] In 2006, a series of books by Scholastic were released with Song on the cover. The books included facts about Song and mathematical guidance from Song, the books also included posters of Song. The first book released in the series is "Maths Spotlight on... Brenda Song".[42] In late 2007, she became the official spokesperson for Club Libby Lu. Song has appeared in print campaigns for Got Milk?, a print ad for clothing store "JC" and in-store posters for "Aéropostale" clothing. In 2008, the Internet website Stardoll.com previewed Song's doll to customers by allowing them to dress up a paper doll on the website (which includes stardoll's doll version of Song) with the clothes designed by Song.

Controversy

On April 18, 2008, a picture of Song was featured in an escort ad in the back of that week's LA Weekly. The advertisement was promoting sexual activities. Disney lawyers were not pleased with the use of Song's copyrighted image for advertising adult activities. A rep from Disney told TMZ.com that "This is an unauthorized use of Brenda Song's image and her personal attorney has issued a cease and desist to the advertiser."[43] Song is now filing a lawsuit against the Vibe Media Inc.[44] Song made a statement to TMZ saying: "In filing suit, I hope to prevent this company from doing this again to anyone else". She is seeking $100,000 in damages.[45] Song also released another statement to E! News saying: "As a role model to millions of young people, I feel I have to take a stand against this company in regard to its exploitation of my image".

Discography

Songs

Other songs
  • 2005: "Girl Like Me"
  • 2006: "Open Up Your Eyes"
  • 2006: "Hearts and Souls"
  • 2007: "All Over My Body"
Promo songs

Soundtracks

DVDs

Filmography

Films

Year Title Role Notes
2008 Special Delivery Alice Vanlen Lifetime Movie Network
College Road Trip Nancy Walt Disney Pictures
Camp Rock Girl Near Lake Cameo
Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior 2 Wendy Wu Main role/Planned to start shooting in 2008
2007 American Darlings Marissa Lead/Was never released
2006 Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior Wendy Wu Main role/Producer Disney Channel Original Movie
Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn't Happen Treat voice
2004 Stuck in the Suburbs Natasha Kwon-Schwartz Main role/Disney Channel Original Movie
A Cinderella Story Kelly Anderson Warner Bros.
Costume Party Capers: The Incredibles Alex (voice)
2002 Like Mike Reg Stevens Main role
Get a Clue Jennifer Disney Channel Original Movie
2000 The Ultimate Christmas Present Samantha Kwan Disney Channel Original Movie
1999 The White Fox N/A
1998 Blade School Girl short cameo
1997 Leave It to Beaver Susan Acustis
1996 Santa with Muscles Susan
1995 Requiem Young Fong

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2008 The Suite Life on Deck London Tipton Main role
2007 Pass the Plate Host
2005-2008 The Suite Life of Zack & Cody London Tipton Main role/Producer
2004-2005 Phil of the Future Tia 7 Episodes
1999 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd Sariffa Chung
Online series
Year Title Role Notes
2007 London Tipton's Yay Me! London Tipton Main role, aired on Disney.com

Guest appearances

Year Title Role Notes
2006 That's So Raven London Tipton Part of That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana
American Dragon: Jake Long Cheerleader Tracey Voice actor
2003 That's So Raven Amber Aired on 20 June 2003
One on One Asanti Aired on 11 November 2003
2002 The Bernie Mac Show Shannon Young Artist Award nomination
George Lopez Popular Girl Aired on 9 October 2002
2001 ER (TV series) Lynda An 1 episode
Judging Amy Vanessa Pran Aired on 9 October 2001
Bette Stacey Aired on 7 February 2001
Popular Mandy Shepherd Brief appearance
1999 Mad TV Trick-or-Treater Cameo appearance
2000 Once and Again Chrissy Aired on 19 October 2000
7th Heaven Cynthia Brief appearance
1996 Small Talk Panelist Two epsidoes
1995
1994		 Thunder Alley Kathy Five episodes

Awards

Year Award Category Show Result
2001 Young Artist Award "Best Performance in a TV Movie Comedy, Supporting Young Actress" The Ultimate Christmas Present Won[11]
2003 Young Artist Award "Best Performance in a Television Comedy Series, Guest Starring Young Actress" The Bernie Mac Show Nominated[12]
2005 Golden Icon Awards "Best Role Model" The Suite Life of Zack and Cody Won
Fort Myers Beach Film Festival "Rising Star Award" Nominated
2006 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival "Best Asian American Cast Ensemble" Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior Won[46]
Disney Channel Japan Awards "Favourite Disney Channel TV Star" Won[47]
Asian Television Awards "Newcomers Award" Won[48][49]
2007 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards France "Meilleure actrice de télévision" The Suite Life of Zack and Cody Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wameng Moua (September 22, 2005). Bonafide Star: Brenda Song. HmongToday.com. Accessed 2007-12-04.
  2. ^ a b c d e About Brenda. BrendaSongSite.com. Accessed 2007-05-19.
  3. ^ Brenda Song is Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior (June 2006) AsianceMagazine.com. Retrieved 2007-08-08
  4. ^ Stacy Jenel Smith. Rising Star: Brenda Song Shows Off Chops in 'Wendy Wu' Netscape Celebrity. Accessed 2007-09-08.
  5. ^ Izuan Shah (November 10, 2006). Happily on Song star-ecentral.com Accessed 2007-10-27.
  6. ^ a b R. Thomas Umstead (January 22, 2007). "Disney Movie Skips to Another Record". Retrieved 2007-09-22.
  7. ^ a b c d e Jacques Steinberg (June 15, 2006). "Brenda Song Turns Warrior in Disney's 'Wendy Wu'". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
  8. ^ Brenda Song: Biography tvguide.com
  9. ^ Interview with Brenda Song. TheStarScoop.com. Accessed 2007-11-20.
  10. ^ 1996 Awards CINE. Accessed 2008-02-27.
  11. ^ a b 22nd Annual Young Artist Awards. YoungArtistAwards.org. Accessed 2007-06-20.
  12. ^ a b 24th Annual Young Artist Awards. YoungArtistAwards.org. Accessed 2007-06-20.
  13. ^ Brenda Song filmography. Accessed 2007-12-06.
  14. ^ Celebrity interview with Brenda Song Teenmag.com Accessed 2007-10-24.
  15. ^ 28th Annual Young Artist Awards. YoungArtistAwards.org. Accessed 2008-01-24.
  16. ^ 2007 Primetime Emmys. Emmys.org. Accessed 2007-12-30.
  17. ^ Kid's Choice Awards 2007 and Kid's Choice Awards 2008. Nickelodeon. Accessed 2008-01-24.
  18. ^ ""Holidaze" Trailer". DylanSprouse.org. Retrieved November 30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
    "Holidaze: The Christmas that Almost Didn't Happen". revver.com. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
  19. ^ Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior UltimateDisney.com. Accessed 2007-08-25
  20. ^ Jeff Yang (2006). Warrior Women-Brenda Song SF gate.com. Accessed 2007-11-20.
  21. ^ Teen Talks To: Brenda Song TeenMag.com Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  22. ^ Stacy Jenel Smith (2007). Top 10 Pretty Petites in Entertainment Netscape. Accessed 2007-11-20.
  23. ^ "Aol's Top 20 Tween (and Teen) TV Stars" Aol.com. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
  24. ^ 'Suite Life' Actress Hosting Disney's Multicultural Series buddytv.com Accessed 2007-10-27.
  25. ^ Yay Me! Starring London Tipton - Disney Channel
  26. ^ "Zack & Cody" embark on spin-off voyage reuters.com Accessed 2008-02-07.
  27. ^ a b Kimberly Nordyke (January 16, 2008) Pair set for 'Delivery' Hollywood Reporter Accessed 2008-01-26.
  28. ^ Brenda Song Teen Mag Interview 2 TeenMag.com. Accessed 2007-11-02.
  29. ^ New York Times Movies College Road Trip Cast. Accessed 2007-11-20
  30. ^ "Brenda Song Biography". Biggeststars.com. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
  31. ^ Shin Koyamada Variety.com. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  32. ^ William Kerns (July 15, 2007) Major Los Angeles talent agent calls popular children's group just what she's been looking for LubbockOnline. Retrieved 2008-02-16.
  33. ^ Disneymania, vol 4. Allmusic.com. Accessed 2007-06-18.
  34. ^ Producers. MarkJacksonProductions.com. Accessed 2007-11-22.
  35. ^ A World Of Change Charity Event:Brenda Song SplashMag.com. Accessed 2007-10-22.
  36. ^ Brenda Song participates The 10th Annual L.A. Cancer Challenge kintera.org Accessed 2007-10-21.
  37. ^ Brenda Song talks about kids' health unionsentinel.com. Accessed 2007-11-20.
  38. ^ Brenda Song-Writers Guild America strike DailyCeleb.com. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  39. ^ Suites de Las Estrellas Splash Mag Accessed 2008-04-04.
  40. ^ Brenda Song Net Gallery Brenda Song Fan Site Accessed 2008-04-04.
  41. ^ Arturo D. Chavez Arturo D. Chavez Accessed 2008-04-27.
  42. ^ EBSCOhost Connection: MATH Spotlight on... BRENDA SONG EBSCOhost Connection Accessed 2008-04-03.
  43. ^ For a Good Time ... Call Disney Star? TMZ.com. Retrieved on 2008-04-18.
  44. ^ Brenda Song Cries Foul E Online. Retrieved on 2008-04-26.
  45. ^ Song Sings: See My Face in Court! TMZ.com. Retrieved on 2008-04-26.
  46. ^ San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival Retrieved on Sunday, March 14, 2008
  47. ^ Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior Disney Channel Japan (Japanese) Retrieved on April 4, 2008
  48. ^ Asian Excellence Awards Nominees Retrieved on April 4, 2008
  49. ^ Asian Excellence Awards - Newcomers Nominees List Retrieved on April 4, 2008
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