The voice actor best known for bringing Lilo to life in Disney’s animated film Lilo & Stitch and its follow-up series is none other than the talented young performer who captured hearts with her spirited portrayal. Interestingly, she later took on a dramatically different role—stepping into the eerie world of horror as the chilling antagonist Samara Morgan in the 2002 remake of The Ring. Talk about range! Before all the fame and spotlight, she actually showed off her vocal chops early on, winning a singing competition during her time in the Little Miss America Pageant. Can you believe she first auditioned for the role of Lilo when she was just 8 years old? That’s right—the voice behind one of Disney’s most beloved characters started incredibly young. On a more personal note, her parents, Cathy Chase and John Schwallier, eventually divorced, and she shares a close bond with her younger brother, Cade. It’s clear that from pageants to pixie-dust adventures and even supernatural suspense, this voice actor has had quite the journey—and Lilo remains one of her most iconic roles to date.
She used to love watching Barney & Friends when she was little, and honestly, that show kind of sparked her dream of becoming a child actress. You know, it all started around age 7 when she landed her first commercial—funny enough, it was for Campbell’s Soup. Looking back, that moment really set things in motion for her. She always had this natural charm, even at such a young age, and people often said she was born for the spotlight. It’s kind of amazing how something as simple as a soup ad could be the beginning of her journey. She definitely made the most of that early opportunity, and from there, she kept building.