Lacey Chabert's career is a testament to her enduring talent and adaptability. From her early days as a child actress to her current status as a Hallmark Channel staple, Chabert has navigated the entertainment industry with grace and determination. This article explores her remarkable journey, highlighting her early successes, her transition to adult roles, and her ventures into entrepreneurship.
Early Beginnings: Pageants, Broadway, and Soap Operas
Lacey Chabert's path to stardom began in Purvis, Mississippi, where she participated in child beauty pageants. She recalled her childhood pageant days during a 2020 appearance on "Live with Kelly and Ryan," noting that it was a common activity in the South during the '80s. These pageants served as a springboard to her next step: competing on "Star Search."
Chabert's family moved to New York City, where she appeared in numerous TV commercials. Her big break came at age nine when she played Cosette in "Les Misérables" on Broadway. She explained to the Clarion Ledger, "Certainly at that age, I didn't understand the weight of the opportunity… But it taught me such a great work ethic. You know, the show must go on." This experience led her to television, where she portrayed Bianca Montgomery on "All My Children," daughter of Erica Kane (played by soap icon Susan Lucci). The fast pace of a daytime soap provided an invaluable on-the-job education for the young actor.
Breakthrough Role: "Party of Five"
Chabert's career reached new heights when she starred in the Fox drama "Party of Five," playing Claudia Salinger, the youngest sibling in a family of orphans. The show brought her a level of celebrity she hadn't yet experienced. "I think it has changed my life," the youngster said during a 1996 interview with "Access Hollywood." "When you walk down the street, people kind of know who you are. It's kind of weird." According to her mom, though, Chabert was loving every second of her new life as a famous TV star. Decades later, Chabert confirmed her mother's characterization. "I mean, I was just a little girl, and I just loved pretending to be this character," she told "Access Hollywood," acknowledging how much "Party of Five" changed her life.
Transition to Film: "Lost in Space" and "Mean Girls"
While starring in "Party of Five," Lacey Chabert made the jump from TV to movies when she was cast in 1998's "Lost in Space." She admitted in an interview with People that she was intimidated at first but had so much fun making the film that she was ready for more.
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Chabert co-starred as Gretchen Wieners in the hit film "Mean Girls" (2004). She and her co-stars Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams and Amanda Seyfried went on to win the 2005 MTV Movie Award for "Best On-Screen Team". The film has remained firmly ensconced with the pop-culture landscape. Nearly 20 years later, Lacey Chabert revisited Gretchen Wieners in a series of TV commercials for Walmart, reuniting with her former co-stars. "It was even more fun than it looked," Chabert told Yahoo! Entertainment of reuniting with her co-stars. "It was a really special day to be with Lindsay and Amanda again and to reminisce about the experience we had together, which is just so unique, and to catch up with each other. We're all moms now!"
The Hallmark Era: A Queen is Crowned
As the years progressed, Lacey Chabert became a staple on the Hallmark Channel, appearing in nearly 40 movies. In February 2022, Deadline reported that Chabert had signed a two-year, multi-picture deal with Hallmark. Chabert stated in an E! News interview that she is grateful for the opportunity Hallmark has given her. "It’s a very unique place in our business where it’s female-driven stories and we have the opportunity as actors to put on different hats and be a producer. Having been in this business almost my whole life, it’s been a goal that has been realized to be on the other side of the storytelling. I’ve learned so much and I’ve been able to apply my 30+ years in this business to these movies. So, it has been a very, very rewarding experience and developing The Wedding Veil series was very exciting for us.”
With her frequent appearances in Hallmark films, particularly holiday-themed ones, Chabert has been referred to as the "Queen of Hallmark Christmas Movies".
Beyond Acting: Entrepreneurship and New Ventures
Lacey Chabert unveiled her entrepreneurial side with the launch of her own apparel collection in partnership with the Home Shopping Network (HSN). The Lacey Chabert Collection featured comfy loungewear, including pajamas and matching "Mommy & Me" outfits for moms and daughters. "This new venture expresses what I love most - the time I spend with my family," Chabert exclaimed in a 2022 press release.
In 2024, Hallmark Channel launched "Celebrations with Lacey Chabert," an unscripted series for Hallmark's new streaming service, H+. In the series, Chabert surprises deserving people with fabulous blowout bashes put on by top party planners.
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While remaining firmly ensconced within the Hallmark universe, Chabert also ventured into new territory when Variety reported that she would be headlining a new Christmas-themed rom-com for Netflix, titled "Hot Frosty."
Personal Life: Family and Loss
In 2013, Lacey Chabert married David Nehdar. In 2016, the couple welcomed their first child, daughter Julia Mimi Bella Nehdar.
Chabert's life has also been marked by tragedy. In 2021, her beloved older sister, Wendy, died unexpectedly. "My beautiful sister, Wendy. Our hearts are shattered into a million pieces that I don't know how we will ever put back together again now that you're gone," she wrote in an Instagram post.
Wellness and Daily Routines
Lacey Chabert likes to workout first thing in the morning, and she shared her go-to’s.
Other Hallmark stars have also shared their wellness secrets. Danica McKeller emphasizes drinking lots of water and avoiding soft drinks, especially diet soft drinks. Alison Sweeney focuses on preparation, stocking her refrigerator with healthy options. Holly Robinson Peete sets intentions in the morning and meditates. Erin Krakow tries to eat healthy and stay active. Autumn Reeser dances and takes classes called Orange Theory. Jodie Sweetin is open about her struggles with sobriety. Nikki DeLoach's go-to exercise is called a "Bow and Arrow," which involves weights. Tamera Mowry-Housely decided to get healthier during the pandemic, focusing on sustainable workouts and self-care.
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Advice to Her Younger Self
As I wrapped up my conversation with Chabert, I asked her if she could go back to the Lacey Chabert just beginning her Hollywood career as a child star in the early 1990s and give her advice after everything she has experienced and achieved up to now, what would she say to that little Chabert?“I would say don’t doubt yourself. I would say believe in yourself and there are no dumb questions and just to keep going. I think the things that when we’re younger, especially the things that make us different, I think sometimes we view as flaws or you want fit in and be like everyone else. I’ve come to realize that some of those things are actually my strengths. So, I would just give myself a good pep talk (laughs) and say you’re on the right course.