Actress Lacey Chabert, well-known for her roles in Party of Five and Mean Girls, is no longer as young as she once was.
At the height of her Mean Girls fame, she seemed to be going strong, but co-star Rachel McAdams went on to become the movie’s Hollywood favorite, starring in movies including The Notebook, Spotlight, and Wedding Crashers.
Even Lindsay Lohan and Amanda Seyfried, who costarred in Mean Girls, were able to hold onto their fame; Lohan was merely Lindsay Lohan, while Seyfried was given well-regarded parts.
But what has Lacey Chabert been doing with her time since then? Actually, she’s found her true calling somewhere else.
Lacey Chabert has achieved success over the years in this way.
A shift in emphasis
Julia Mimi Bella, a daughter, was born to Lacey Chabert as her first child in September 2016.
According to E! News, the actress went into full nesting mode in preparation for her daughter’s arrival. She even set up the nursery and spoke with her pet friend, a chihuahua named Kitty, during a pre-interview.
Chabert was obviously happy to have Julia as a daughter, but it’s possible that parenthood changed her priorities.
This was made evident in the fall and winter of 2018 when Chabert discussed the challenges of balancing life as a working mother in the entertainment world with her new career path while on the press tour for her 16th—yes, you read that correctly—Hallmark movie.
“If you had told me two years ago that this is what my career would look like today, I think I would’ve been surprised, but it’s such a great fit for who I am and where I am in my life right now,” Chabert said in an interview with the Clarion-Ledger in November 2018.
She’ll never be separated from Gretchen Wieners.
The first person to use the term “that’s so fetch” was Chabert, who portrayed the renowned Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls. Perhaps Hollywood still thinks of her as that dumb teenager whose father invented the Toaster Strudel?
It’s easy to become typecast in Hollywood, after all; just look at the lovable romantic actress Jennifer Aniston or the eternally eccentric Helena Bonham Carter.
For Chabert, at least when it comes to her more popular work, one film still embodies her entire career identity.
Ten years after the Mean Girls debut, in 2014, Chabert told Entertainment Weekly, “People tweet me hundreds of times if not thousands of times [with] lines from the movie every day.”
To be fair, the association doesn’t bother her. In fact, if a sequel were ever created, Chabert told Star in December 2018 that she “would love to be a part of it”.
Give Tina Fey a call now!
The Hallmark movies with Lacey Chabert in them
Lacey Chabert had starred in more than 20 Hallmark Channel shows as of the time of writing.
That’s a lot of productions for any channel, let alone one that specializes in the campy, saccharine-sweet stuff that no mother on earth could resist. However, Hallmark isn’t exactly the place to go if you’re searching for an Oscar nomination or the next big blockbuster sensation.
Other well-known actors who have appeared in Hallmark movies include Dean Cain, Danica McKellar, and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
When was the last time you saw them in an A-list film? The endearing shows Chabert’s new network produces—which she described as “like comfort food” in an interview with Entertainment Weekly—clearly make her happy, though.
Her prolific output of holiday-themed content for Hallmark is also no coincidence. “Christmas is my favorite holiday. Chabert told the Clarion Ledger, “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. It follows that my enjoyment of creating Christmas films is only natural.”
Maybe Lacey Chabert’s convictions prevented her from seeing more.
In Tinseltown circles, there’s a notion that success doesn’t always follow from a strong Christian faith (Candace Cameron Bure and Mel Gibson are two examples).
Actor Kevin Sorbo, who starred in the TV series Hercules, stated to CNS News in 2014, “I think being a conservative in Hollywood and being a Christian in Hollywood, you get attacked.” That same year, Chabert starred in Christian Mingle, which Rotten Tomatoes critics gave just three “rotten” reviews altogether.
Is it possible that Chabert’s lack of success in Hollywood is a result of her public confession of her religious beliefs?
In a behind-the-scenes interview with Christian Mingle, Chabert said, “You know, my faith has always been the center of my life, and I have no shame about saying that.”
“I think it’s beautiful that she comes to a point where her faith is something that’s very personal and alive for her, and I think it’s a nice message,” she continued, explaining why she was drawn to the movie character.
Chabert also mentioned that she wouldn’t consider certain movie roles because of the way a character’s faith is shown in the work.
The money from Lacey Chabert’s flicks hasn’t been great.
According to Forbes, A-list stars Jennifer Lawrence and Scarlett Johansson earned $46 million and $25 million, respectively, in 2016. Their films’ success has made them profitable.
Sadly, Chabert’s movies don’t live up to the hype, with the exception of Mean Girls and a few minor hits. Perhaps casting directors are reluctant to risk a big-budget picture that an actor hasn’t been in for more than ten years.
While Chabert’s estimated net worth of $4 million is certainly not insignificant for the general public, it is notably less impressive in comparison to some of her contemporaries.
Chabert’s biggest project was actually the 2003 slapstick comedy about parenthood, Daddy Day Care, starring Eddie Murphy and critically panned.
The Numbers claims that the film brought in over $104 million domestically, but is there any connection between Chabert and it? Probably not.
Chabert’s success waned after Mean Girls gained popularity a year later and earned over $86 million domestically in 2004. Lawrence, on the other hand, made nearly $281 million at the box office with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2.
How is Lacey Chabert doing at Family Guy?
For an actress, working with Chabert might not be the easiest. Due to contractual issues, Mila Kunis replaced her as the original pick to play Meg Gryphon in the wildly successful Family Guy television series, as reported by The Huffington Post.
Despite the fact that the actress and Seth MacFarlane, the show’s creator, have both responded with greater tact, there are whispers that Chabert and the show had a falling out.
According to Chabert, she left the show of her own volition, as she told GameSpy (via The Huffington Post). And only because Party of Five was what I was doing at the time while I was in school.
However, I find the show entertaining and have no animosity toward [Kunis]. She’s an amazing performer, in my opinion.” According to MacFarlane, no one could “even remember” why Chabert left, he told IGN. “It was nothing–there was no tension or anything.” He continued, “[Kunis] was in a lot of ways, I thought, almost more right for the character.”
Though everything makes sense, how can this overt Family Guy episode clip be explained?
We’ll let you decide.
At heart, Lacey Chabert is a girl from a little town.
Though Lacey Chabert enjoyed success with Mean Girls and Party of Five, her uncle, a preacher in Purvis, Mississippi, told the Clarion Ledger that “none of this movie stuff has gone to her head.” Chabert told the newspaper that she feels the same way and tries to see her “extended family” who are still in Purvis, where she grew up till she was seven years old.
“I am incredibly happy to come from Purvis. I’m grateful for the morals that were taught to me there,” she continued. “I love the people and appreciate the support they’ve shown me throughout the years.”
It makes natural to think that Chabert would decline travel-intensive professions so she could be close to her family. In reference to those principles from her little village that she mentioned? That could have also affected her choice of employment.
She desires to explore new business ventures.
While it’s clear that Lacey Chabert feels at ease in front of the camera, she has established professional objectives that will require her to spend more time out of the spotlight as she pursues them.
Chabert disclosed in an interview with the Clarion Ledger that she works behind the scenes at the Hallmark Channel in addition to acting as its unofficial face.
Speaking to the newspaper about her new role as executive producer, Chabert said, “I’m more motivated than ever.” “I want to share so many experiences, and I want to learn more about many facets of the industry.
My problem is that I enjoy telling stories. And I recall observing and taking in all that goes into producing a show while working on the Party of Five set. And at some time, I’d like to concentrate on that professionally.”
Based on her IMDb biography, Chabert seemed to have succeeded at this, as seen by her seven producer credits on Hallmark movies from 2016 to 2020.
Moreover, she not only starred in all seven of those Hallmark films that she isn’t producing, but she also starred in each of those series. Was she bundled up by Hollywood and sent to Hallmark?
Lacey Chabert is making things work on her terms.
Even though Chabert worked for years without drawing much attention from the public, it seems like she carved up a pretty successful career for herself.
She has been chosen for a number of voice roles, such as those in The Wild Thornberrys and Scooby Doo. The threat of the Mecha Mutt. Just going down that route may get her back on the A-List like Anna Kendrick did in Trolls or Reese Witherspoon did in Sing, or it could just keep her relevant by bringing in some younger fans.
However, Chabert may be beginning to adopt a mompreneurship style similar to that of Jessica Alba. During her late 2018 press trip, Chabert incessantly advertised Tyson Meal Kits, which she personally supports.
Here and here are two instances of them. She also mentioned to Good Housekeeping how well the brand and Hallmark’s current photography style work together—hint: quick.
Chabert told Good Housekeeping, “This movie — and most Hallmark movies, in fact – was shot in 15 days.” Chabert was referring to the 2018 film Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe.
“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,” she continued. She then mentioned Tyson Meal Kits once more, praising them for being “quicker and stress-free.”
Apparently, someone knows these days where her bread is buttered, and it’s not Hollywood’s massive studio system.
Lacey Chabert’s career trajectory since her early successes in “Party of Five” and “Mean Girls” reveals a remarkable shift in focus from the Hollywood spotlight to a more fulfilling and grounded life. While Chabert may not have maintained the same level of mainstream visibility as some of her contemporaries, her achievements in other arenas showcase her adaptability and resilience.
Her transition to Hallmark films exemplifies a strategic pivot towards a genre that aligns with her personal interests and values, particularly her passion for Christmas-themed content. Despite not competing for blockbuster accolades, Chabert has found satisfaction in producing and starring in films that resonate with a dedicated audience. Her role as an executive producer highlights her expanding influence and desire to explore storytelling from behind the scenes.
Moreover, Chabert’s commitment to her faith and family life underscores a deeper motivation beyond the glamour of Hollywood. Her decision to embrace roles and projects that align with her beliefs and lifestyle reflects a thoughtful approach to her career, prioritizing personal fulfillment over fame.
In addition, her venture into voice acting and product endorsements demonstrates her versatility and ability to remain relevant in an ever-evolving industry. Chabert’s involvement with Tyson Meal Kits and her role as a busy mother with a high-profile job illustrate her practical approach to balancing professional and personal responsibilities.
Ultimately, Lacey Chabert’s career may not have followed the conventional path to A-list stardom, but her journey underscores a meaningful and successful evolution. By focusing on projects that bring her joy and align with her values, Chabert has crafted a career that is both rewarding and resilient, proving that success can be defined in many different ways.