From Teen Star to Hallmark Queen
Lacey Chabert, famous for her roles in “Party of Five” and “Mean Girls,” isn’t the young starlet she once was. While her “Mean Girls” co-star Rachel McAdams soared to Hollywood fame with hits like “The Notebook” and “Spotlight,” and Lindsay Lohan and Amanda Seyfried remained in the spotlight, Lacey found her true calling elsewhere.
A New Focus
In September 2016, Lacey welcomed her first child, Julia Mimi Bella. Preparing for her daughter’s arrival, she set up a nursery and even chatted with her pet chihuahua, Kitty, during a pre-interview with E! News.
Motherhood brought new priorities for Lacey. During the press tour for her 16th Hallmark movie in late 2018, she shared with the Clarion Ledger, “If you had told me two years ago that this is what my career would look like today, I think I would have been surprised. But it’s such a great fit for who I am and where I am in my life right now.”
Forever Gretchen Wieners
Despite her success, Lacey is often remembered as Gretchen Wieners from “Mean Girls,” the character who coined “that’s so fetch.” Hollywood can typecast actors—just look at Jennifer Aniston or Helena Bonham Carter.
Lacey shared with Entertainment Weekly in 2014, “People tweet me hundreds of times, if not thousands of times [with] lines from the movie every day.”
Yet, she doesn’t mind the association and even expressed interest in a sequel, telling Star in December 2018, “I would love to be a part of it. Give Tina Fey a call now!”
Hallmark’s Darling
As of now, Lacey has starred in over 20 Hallmark Channel movies. While Hallmark isn’t known for Oscar-winning films, it’s a place for heartwarming stories. In an Entertainment Weekly interview, Lacey described Hallmark movies as “like comfort food.”
She loves making holiday-themed movies, telling the Clarion Ledger, “Christmas is my favorite holiday. Anyone who knows me will tell you how obsessed I am about it. I wish it lasted for more than just one month each year.”
Faith and Career Choices
Lacey’s strong Christian faith may have influenced her career path. In 2014, actor Kevin Sorbo mentioned how being a conservative Christian in Hollywood could lead to attacks. Lacey starred in “Christian Mingle” that year, which received mixed reviews.
In a behind-the-scenes interview, she said, “I have no shame about saying that my faith has always been the center of my life.” She found the character’s faith journey in “Christian Mingle” inspiring and felt it carried a positive message.
Limited Box Office Success
While A-listers like Jennifer Lawrence and Scarlett Johansson earned millions in 2016, Lacey’s films haven’t had the same financial success, except for “Mean Girls” and a few minor hits. Her estimated net worth of $4 million is modest compared to her peers.
Her biggest box office hit was the 2003 comedy “Daddy Day Care,” which made over $104 million. But does anyone associate Lacey with that movie? Probably not.
The Family Guy Incident
Lacey originally voiced Meg Griffin in “Family Guy” but was replaced by Mila Kunis due to contractual issues. Rumors suggest a fallout, but Lacey told GameSpy, “I actually left the show of my own accord. And only because I was in school and doing ‘Party of Five’ at the time.”
A Small-Town Girl at Heart
Despite her Hollywood success, Lacey stays grounded. Her uncle, a pastor in Purvis, Miss., told the Clarion Ledger, “None of this movie stuff has gone to her head.” Lacey added, “Purvis is a place I’m extremely proud to be from. I appreciate the values that were instilled in me there.”
Expanding Her Horizons
Lacey isn’t just acting; she’s also taking on executive producer roles. She told the Clarion Ledger, “I’m more motivated than ever. There are so many stories I want to tell, and I’d like to get into different aspects of the business.”
She has seven producer credits on Hallmark films and continues to star in many more. She’s also voiced characters in animations like “Scooby-Doo” and “The Wild Thornberrys!”
Balancing Work and Motherhood
Lacey has also embraced being a mompreneur, promoting Tyson Meal Kits. She told Good Housekeeping, “Working and being a very hands-on mom is a challenge but I’m thankful to work at a place that makes it easier for me.”
Lacey Chabert has found her niche in Hallmark movies, producing, and voice acting, all while maintaining a balance with her personal life. She’s made it work on her own terms, far from the Hollywood limelight.
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