‘A Cinderella Story’ Cast: Where Are They Now? Hilary Duff, Chad Michael Murray and More

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‘A Cinderella Story’ Cast: Where Are They Now? Hilary Duff, Chad Michael Murray and More

After A Cinderella Story was released in 2004, stars such as Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray continued to find success in the industry. The film, which was a take on the Cinderella folklore, focused on the blossoming romance between two internet pen pals who never met in person. They plan to meet at their high school dance — with Murray's character Austin becoming determined to find out the identity of the girl (Duff) behind the mask. Following the rom-com's box office success, A Cinderella Story turned into a cult classic and inspired several straight-to-video sequels. Another Cinderella Story featured Selena Gomez, Drew Seeley and Jane Lynch in the main cast. Meanwhile, the 2011 version A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song starred Lucy Hale, Freddie Stroma and Megan Park. The franchise later continued with Sofia Carson and Thomas Law's A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits in 2016. Three years later, A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish introduced Laura Marano and Gregg Sulkin in the lead roles of the retelling. In 2021, A Cinderella Story: Starstruck became the sixth installment in the series with Bailee Madison and Michael Evans Behling as the movie's love interests. Duff previously revealed that she developed feelings for Murray after working together on set. "I definitely had a crush on [Chad]. We had a few kissing scenes in the movie and I remember feeling pretty nervous about that, but then we became friends and I wasn't so nervous anymore," she told Cosmopolitan in January 2016. The actor, for his part, recalled taking his costar out for coffee to help develop their chemistry. “Just to get to know her and work with her so we could create some sort of relationship between each other so it would be easier on set,” he explained to Black Film shortly after the film was released. Even though Murray attempted to commit to his role, he later admitted the one aspect of the story he was always confused over. "If you go to masquerade mall and a girl you see almost every day is wearing a small mask and her entire face is exposed and you still can't recognize her, you should probably see an eye doctor — among a few other doctors," he jokingly told E! News in 2019. Scroll down to see what the cast of A Cinderella Story has been up to: [podcast_block]

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Hilary Duff

Duff made a name for herself on Disney Channel years before playing Sam in A Cinderella Story. After Lizzie McGuire, the child star booked roles in Cadet Kelly, Agent Cody Banks and Cheaper by the Dozen.

The Teen Choice Award winner also branched out into a music career with albums including Metamorphosis, Most Wanted and Dignity.

Duff returned to the small screen with TV Land's Younger. In 2022, the Texas native joined How I Met Your Father as the star and executive producer.

The singer started dating Mike Comrie in 2007. They got married in 2010 and welcomed their son Luca two years later. In 2014, the twosome announced their split and Duff filed for divorce in 2015.

Duff later moved on with Matthew Koma. The pair, who got married in 2019, share daughters Banks and Mae.

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Chad Michael Murray

Before bringing Austin to life, Murray rose to stardom with roles in One Tree Hill, Gilmore Girls and Dawson’s Creek. He also starred alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in Freaky Friday.

The New York native later appeared in Sun Records, Agent Carter, Riverdale and many Hallmark Channel movies over the years.

Following his brief marriage to OTH costar Sophia Bush, Murray exchanged vows with Sarah Roemer in 2015. They share a son (born in 2015) and daughter (born in 2017).

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Jennifer Coolidge

The Emmy winner became a household name after playing Paulette in Legally Blonde. After starring as Fiona in A Cinderella Story, Coolidge continued to appear on the big scream in Click, American Dreamz, American Pie, Soul Men, Like a Boss, Promising Young Woman and Arlo the Alligator Boy. 

On the small screen, the Massachusetts native booked roles in Joey, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, 2 Broke Girls and The White Lotus.

Coolidge, who was linked to comedian Chris Kattan in 2001, has preferred to remain tight-lipped about her personal life.

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Regina King

The California native, who played Rhonda in the movie, took over the TV world with roles in The Boondocks, Southland, American Crime, Seven Seconds and Watchmen. The Academy Award winner also appeared on the big screen in Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde and Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous.

King later transitioned into directing with episodes of Scandal, This Is Us and the award-winning film One Night in Miami. In 2020, she became the second Black woman to be nominated for a Golden Globe for best director.

The Higher Learning star was married to Ian Alexander Sr. from 1997 to 2007. Their son, who was born in 1996, died by suicide at the age of 26.

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Dan Byrd

Since playing Duff's onscreen best friend, Byrd went on to appear in The Hills Have Eyes, Easy A and Norman. On the small screen, the Illinois native scored roles in Aliens in America, Cougar Town, The Good Doctor and Young Sheldon.

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Madeline Zima

The Connecticut native played Brianna on A Cinderella Story before moving on to Showtime's Californication and NBC's Heroes. Zima also appeared in Twin Peaks, You, Good Girls and Hacks.

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Andrea Avery

Since bringing Gabriella to life, Avery has remained largely out of the public eye. She appeared in First Daughter and Muse before presumably leaving the industry.

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Julie Gonzalo

Gonzalo, who played Shelby, continued to act with roles in Veronica Mars, Eli Stone, Dallas and Supergirl.

After meeting Chris McNally on the set of Hallmark Channel's The Sweetest Heart in 2018, the duo began dating. In June 2022, Gonzalo confirmed that she welcomed a child with McNally.