Renowned for her roles in Mean Girls and Party of Five, Lacey Chabert has gracefully transitioned through the years, evolving with her personal and professional priorities.
Once a bright star at the peak of Mean Girls fame, Chabert’s co-star Rachel McAdams soared to Hollywood stardom with roles in acclaimed films like Spotlight and The Notebook, while even her fellow Mean Girls castmates, Amanda Seyfried and Lindsay Lohan, maintained their prominence in the industry.
However, Chabert found her own path, embracing motherhood when she welcomed her daughter Julia Mimi Bella in September 2016. E! News documented her meticulous preparations for Julia’s arrival, from setting up the nursery to engaging in heartwarming conversations with her beloved chihuahua, Kitty.
Becoming a parent inevitably reshaped Chabert’s priorities, as she navigated the challenges of balancing her career in the entertainment industry with her new role as a working mother. During the press tour for her 16th Hallmark film in 2018, Chabert candidly discussed this newfound balance, expressing contentment with her career’s trajectory.
Despite being forever associated with her iconic portrayal of Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls, Chabert’s career expanded beyond that single role, particularly with her prolific involvement in Hallmark Channel productions. Her dedication to the network’s heartwarming content, especially during the holiday season, resonated deeply with audiences.
However, speculation arose about whether Chabert’s strong Christian faith impacted her Hollywood trajectory, reminiscent of similar challenges faced by figures like Mel Gibson and Candace Cameron Bure. Nevertheless, Chabert remained steadfast in her beliefs, finding solace in roles that resonated with her values.
Financially, Chabert’s films may not have reached the same heights as her peers, with her net worth reflecting a more modest sum compared to other Hollywood elites. Yet, her contributions to cinema, including the success of Daddy Day Care, underscore her enduring presence in the industry.
Chabert’s journey also included a brief stint as the original voice of Meg Griffin on Family Guy, a role eventually assumed by Mila Kunis. Despite rumors of discord, Chabert gracefully addressed her departure, emphasizing her admiration for Kunis’s talent.
Rooted in her small-town upbringing, Chabert maintained a grounded perspective, cherishing her familial ties and hometown values. This connection to her roots likely influenced her career decisions and desire for roles aligned with her principles.
Beyond her on-screen performances, Chabert ventured into production, embracing opportunities behind the camera and championing storytelling in various capacities. Her dedication to both her craft and her family exemplifies her multifaceted approach to success.
In navigating the evolving landscape of Hollywood, Chabert carved out a niche that reflects her values and aspirations, demonstrating resilience and versatility in an industry known for its challenges. As she continues to pursue her passions, whether in acting, producing, or endorsing products like Tyson Meal Kits, Chabert remains a testament to carving one’s path on one’s terms.
The Mysterious Reason Why Zac Efron Moved to a Different Country and Changed His Lifestyle
Zac Efron has been a globetrotter since gaining fame, often jetting off for both business and pleasure. Despite this, he maintained his California roots, his birthplace, and his hometown. However, everything took an unexpected turn when he opted to spend more time overseas, leading him to rethink his lifestyle in search of genuine happiness.
He lived most of his life in the United States.
Originally from San Luis Obispo, in California, Zac Efron spent the majority of his life in the United States, having grown up close to the heart of Hollywood. Despite this, his parents were never involved in the entertainment business. Still, he took his first steps into that world early on in his life. His journey in acting and singing began during his time at Arroyo Grande High School in the early 2000s, with a drama teacher playing a pivotal role in connecting him to an agent.
After he achieved success with teen flicks like the High School Musical trilogy and 17 Again(2009), he shifted into more dramatic roles in films such as The Greatest Showman(2017) and, more recently, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile(2019). It was this ever-growing filmography that allowed him to amass a net worth of around $25 million and allowed him to purchase a mansion in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, in 2013. He lived there for seven years until he no longer felt like it was the right place for him.
So, what happened to Zac Efron to make him change his mind? Keep reading to find out.
His L.A. house had everything to offer, but ultimately it wasn’t enough.
The 36-year-old actor put his Los Feliz home up for sale in December 2020, and the listing made public the house’s astounding features. The property, which is nestled against the Hollywood Hills and located in a prestigious neighborhood filled with plenty of celebrity residents, offers breathtaking views, accentuated by walls of glass, terraces, and numerous outdoor spaces that offer panoramic vistas of the city below.
With five bedrooms and five bathrooms within its 5.455-square-foot layout, the main level includes a living area, dining room, chef’s kitchen adjoining a family room, and a master suite with a spa-like bathroom. But that’s not all!
Additionally, it has three bedrooms with bathrooms downstairs, along with a separate one-bedroom, one-bath guesthouse. It also features amenities such as a gym, media room, game room, and security cameras, and the outdoor space includes view decks suitable for outdoor dining and lounging.
So, with all its potential, it wasn’t shocking that it sold in only a few months, despite the hefty price tag. In May 2021, the house sold for $5.3 million. Albeit below the initial asking price of $5.9 million, it still marks a profitable venture for Efron, as he paid around $4 million when he first purchased the property.
He fell in love with a different country.
In 2020, Efron made a move that had a deep impact on him — he relocated to Byron Bay, Australia. Back then, he still owned the Los Feliz mansion, so many thought it was just a temporary home. The fact that he lived out of a van, before buying a property in the Australian beachside town also led many to believe nothing much could come of the move.
However, he shot the second season of his Netflix documentary series Down to Earththere, which allowed him to spend over a year with the Aussies. Eventually, he did return to the US to enjoy quality time with his family, but it wasn’t long before he was once again on Australian ground. This time, it was to shoot Ricky Stanicky, a movie in which he co-stars with John Cena and that has yet to have a set date for its debut.
But a special situation might have sealed the deal for his ever-growing bond with the country. Shortly after he moved to Australia, Efron found love. He met Vanessa Valladares, a waitress at the Byron Bay General Store & Cafe, in June 2020. They began dating and eventually spent Christmas and New Year’s together in Australia. Although the couple has since called it quits, the relationship might have been the final trigger of Efron’s decision to move permanently from the US, as he then put his L.A. home on the market.
Finally, a source close to the actor revealed in January 2021, that Efron already considered Australia «home.»
The actor doesn’t think Hollywood is a healthy place to live in.
The actor had previously expressed his intention to move out of Hollywood, though, and it was precisely in a scene from Down to Earth. In the fourth episode, he candidly shared his desire to move away from the Hollywood scene and the lifestyle associated with it, and emphasized that it didn’t contribute in any way to a «long, happy, mentally-sound life.»
Curiously, what happened to Zac Efron also happened to Chris Hemsworth, in which both actors decided to move to Australia so they could distance themselves from the hecticness of Hollywood. Although Hemsworth himself is Australian, his mindset was similar to that of Efron.
In 2016, Hemsworth, known for his role as Thor in several Marvel movies, relocated his family from Los Angeles to Byron Bay. The 40-year-old similarly expressed a wish to escape the suffocating nature of being constantly surrounded by the entertainment industry. Opting for a more tranquil lifestyle, as of 2023, he and his family reside in a $20 million mega-mansion in Byron Bay’s hinterland, which they view as a healthier environment for their children to grow up in.
Zac Efron isn’t the only celebrity who decided to move to a new home. Many others did as well, and they spared no expenses to buy the luxury house of their dreams. We listed a few of the most expensive celebrity homes here and showed what makes them extraordinary.
Preview photo credit Down to Earth / The Nacelle Company and co-producer, zacefron / Instagram
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