Expect More Stars to Emerge From 'Degrassi'

By Rebecca Macatee Posted Dec 5th 2010 03:00PM

The rapper we now know as Drake wasn't always a hip-hop heavyweight. Before his days of collaborating with Lil Wayne, he was Aubrey Drake Graham, a Canadian teen star known for his role as the paraplegic Degrassi High School student, Jimmy Brooks.

But Drake isn't the only cast member of 'Degrassi: The Next Generation' to transition from 'Teen Nick' to big-time Hollywood.

The educational program turned high school soap opera also produced Shenae Grimes, who currently stars as Annie Wilson in '90210.' For four seasons, Shenae played Darcy Edwards, an uber-Christian girl turned wild child.

And Nina Dobrev, who played teen mom and model Mia Jones on 'Degrassi,' now stars as Elena Gilbert in the hit CW show, 'The Vampire Diaries.'

'Degrassi' expert Kary Bowser, founder of http://degrassiblog.com, thinks Drake, Shenae, and Nina won't be only big names to come from the show.

"In Canada, 'Degrassi's' huge. So, if you're a teen actor, that's the thing you want to do," he says. "As far as those three, I don't necessarily know that they were the most talented. They just decided they wanted to make the journey from Canada to Hollywood and their timing was right."

Kary thinks Drake's massive success as a rapper has nothing to do with his days of playing Jimmy Brooks. "He's not doing any acting now, so it wasn't his on-screen work as Jimmy that got him ready to be a rapper. I think more than anything, he made the right connections in the music industry," he says. "Shenae and Nina, though, were each the main female character on the show right before they made it big. That definitely helped a lot in terms of visibility and recognition for other roles."

Kary predicts the next big name to come out of 'Degrassi' will be Landon Liboiron, who plays Declan Coyne on the show. "He was just cast in a Fox Show called 'Terra Nova.' It's filming this month and will air next year," he says. "Its executive producer is Steven Spielberg, so I'm willing to bet Landon, who's a really talented actor as is, gets a ton of exposure from that."

Aislinn Paul, who plays the character of Clare Edwards, Shenae Grimes' younger sister on 'Degrassi,' is Kary's other pick for the show's next breakout star. "The progression of her character and her growth as an actor has been outstanding," he says. "She's been written to be a lot more mature, and I think if she goes for it, she could follow in her 'big sister's' footsteps."

The complex story lines of the multi-character cast and rigorous shooting schedule definitely serve as solid training for working in Hollywood. Ironically enough, there was a 2009 made-for-TV movie called, 'Degrassi Goes Hollywood,' where several of the show's characters moved down to California and tried to make it in show business. None of the cast members from this film have yet to parlay their 'Degrassi' stardom into mainstream success, but we're willing to bet on a few more real-life Degrassi to Hollywood success stories. Watch your back, Drake!

Tags: degrassi, drake

Comments

(8)

Sunday 05 December

By Ron

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The actor who plays Declan (I don't know his name) is one I'm sure we won't be seeing. I don't know how he got the part. He is the most wooden, one-dimensional actor on that show. Must be related to a producer...or sleeping with one.

By rebs

really? landon (who plays declan) is starring in the show next year exec produced by spielberg!

By lemmebejess

This is basically confirming that the rumor that Declan dies is true......since he's leaving and Fiona looks like she was crying in the promo were Adam and her get caught by Holly J.

By Taty

Annie Clark is another actress that, i believe, will make it to bigger things!

By A C

Landon Liboiron is also currently on the CW's "Life Unexpected". He plays Baze's boss's troublemaker son. He's really good, too. I wish him good luck in his career!

Monday 06 December

By Red

There is another actress who was on the show a few years ago. She is blonde had the date rape storyline and was in the movie with Antonio Bandares(Sp?) played the dance teacher at the public school.

Tuesday 07 December

By S.

yep, lauren collins.

By whtjwhite8

trust

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