Now there are some movies that no matter how old they get, they will never not be a childhood staple and Aquamarine is no exception. Whether you succumb to nostalgia or not, there’s no denying that this movie (along with shows like H2O) changed the way little girls played in the pool forever.
Aquamarine, released in 2006, was the story of two best friends Claire and Haley, who are cherishing the last days of the summer before Haley is set to move to Australia, which will split them and their world apart for good. But not everything is set in stone. So when the two discover that mermaids do exist, they find themselves on a mission to not only help a mermaid, but help themselves before it’s too late.
No one is saying this movie was a masterpiece, but it was a sweet summer watch that told a tale of true love and how it can come in many forms. But now that this movie is fifteen years old, it might shock you to see where the stars ended up. Here’s how the cast of the iconic Aquamarine chose to live their lives after the credits rolled.
5 Emma Roberts
She may have played a shy and afraid teen, Claire, in Aquamarine, but these days Emma Roberts is a household name that’s slaying the acting game. Since her appearance in the classic mermaid film, Roberts has been best known for her roles in movies like Wild Child, Nancy Drew, It’s Kind of a Funny Story, Nerve and We’re the Millers. She has also trailed a path in the TV industry, playing unforgettable roles in both Scream Queens and the different iterations of American Horror Story. Roberts is also set to star in an upcoming rom com remake, About Fate. It’s safe to say, Roberts does not fear the spotlight or making a name for herself in the industry (even rivaling famous aunt Julia). But something tells us her focuses are shifting, as she gave birth to her first child in December of 2020.
4 JoJo
Playing the more outgoing bestie, it’s no wonder that after the release of Aquamarine, JoJo took the world by storm with the release of her single “Leave (Get Out)”. After appearing in the equally entertaining RV, JoJo focused her future towards the music industry in pop and R&B. Despite some obstacles and struggles with her previous record label after her second album, she continued to move forward with music and didn’t let anything stop her. She has released a total of five studio albums and four EP’s. She is set to announce a tour in 2022 following the release of her sixth studio album. So you haven’t heard the last of her.
3 Jake McDorman
Jake McDorman played the lovable jock Raymond, who was the desire of everyone’s eyes (even Aqua’s) so there’s no doubt where that character would be in 2021. McDorman is a different person from his character, but he's been a real busy bee since his on screen surfing days. He’s best known for his role as Evan Chambers on ABC’s Greek, but he’s also been known for his roles in unfortunately cut short shows like Limitless and Are You There, Chelsea? McDorman is also no stranger to being a series regular, as he’s picked up spots on shows like the fourth season of Shameless, the revamp of Murphy Brown, and the Disney+ original The Right Stuff. And despite all the intrigue on TV, he still has time for the big screen. He has landed roles in numerous movie projects, including the Hulu sensation Happiest Season and the upcoming comedy Jerry and Marge Go Large. Looks like this star will be dazzling everyone’s eye for a while.
2 Arielle Kebbel
Not everyone can play the hero, but also not everyone can make the villain look so chic. This is why Arielle Kebbel earned amjor props (at least with me) for her role as the shrill and vapid Cecilia Banks in Aquamarine. Many don’t realize it, but it takes skill to make audiences truly hate a fictional character. Her mean girl shtick landed her roles in other teen dramas, as she played Vanessa in CW’s 90210 and Lexi in The Vampire Diaries. Kebeel also held roles outside the classic drama safespace, tackling crime shows like Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector and mysteries like Grand Hotel. She has also found her place on the movie screen, acting in films like Fifty Shades Freed and After We Fell. Mean girl or not, mark my words, this actress will be around for the long haul.
1 Sarah Paxton
Last but certainly not least leaves our little mermaid herself, Sarah Paxton. After her stint as the blue bombshell, she dabbled in a lot of different acting roles. She’s best known for her appearances in movies like Sydney White, Static, Cheap Thrills, Sundown, and The Front Runner opposite Hugh Jackman. She is also a guest star legend, appearing in too many shows to rattle off but some include Summerland, This is Us, the revival of Twin Peaks, and Good Girls. She also showed her musical prowess in the film, Lovestruck: The Musical.