Latest news with #Animorphs
Metro
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Lizzie McGuire Movie's Italian heartthrob Paolo is unrecognisable 23 years on
It's been nearly 25 years since our pre-teen hearts were sent racing being introduced to Italian superstar Paolo in The Lizzie McGuire Movie. In 2001 the teen comedy series starring Hilary Duff premiered on the Disney Channel. It followed schoolgirl Lizzie as she navigated the personal and social issues of her teenage years, accompanied by an animated version of herself that also expressed her inner thoughts and emotions. The series also starred Lalaine, Adam Lamberg, Jake Thomas, Hallie Todd, and Robert Carradine. It was a huge hit and was nominated for two Emmy Awards, also inspiring the 2003 film which followed Lizzie and her classmates as they travelled to Rome for a graduation trip. But after getting mistaken for an Italian pop star called Isabella, Lizzie embarked on an adventure (complete with a concert in the Colosseum), led by pop star Paolo. Despite his scheming ways eventually being revealed, the character and his Italian charm did capture the attention of teen girls. Paolo was actually played by actor Yani Gellman, who was born in Miami, Florida and lived in Australia, Spain and Texas before his family settled in Toronto, Canada. Yano, who has a degree in political science, made his acting debut in a 1998 episode of the TV series, Animorphs. He then went on to appear in the films Urban Legends: Final Cut and Jason X, playing characters who both eventually became victims of serial killers. But it was The Lizzie McGuire Movie that saw him become the crush of teen girls around the world. After that movie Yani played Rafe Torres in The Young and the Restless from 2008 until 2012, Garrett Reynolds in Pretty Little Liars, and Diego in 90210. His most notable roles in recent years have been on The Saint, Dynasty and Bosch. Yani, who has more than 20,000 Instagram followers, regularly shares updates with his fans. In recent months the 39-year-old, who is now rocking some stubble, has posted photos kayaking, playing ice hockey, and last month joked about Canada rejecting US President Donald Trump's assertion he wanted the country to become the '51st state'. In 2023, to mark the 20th anniversary of The Lizzie McGuire Movie, he wrote: 'This film has meant more to me than words can say… here's to the best community of fans and supporters anywhere – thank you for an amazing run. This truly is what dreams are made of.' In 2018 Yani told Too Fab he would jump at the chance to play Paolo again in a reboot to give him a 'chance at redemption'. 'I think that there's potentially even a bit of a story there about like what happens to these characters after this trip,' he said. More Trending 'I've always felt that Paolo had a heart bigger than what he kind of showed in those moments. 'The character would love a chance at redemption. So you know I would definitely be open to considering that if it came around.' Although a revival of the series was announced in 2019 and began production, it was officially cancelled the following year. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Rapper Rod Wave arrested for 14 charges including aggravated assault after his home was 'robbed' MORE: Shakira fans concerned after 'highly infectious disease spreads at her concert' MORE: 'Unmatched' 80s action movie with 100% rating now available on streaming
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Lizzie McGuire fans are losing their minds after realising what heartthrob Paulo looks like 22 years after the hit film
The actor also revealed whether fans can expect a reboot HEY NOW, HEY NOW Lizzie McGuire fans are losing their minds after realising what heartthrob Paulo looks like 22 years after the hit film Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) YANI Gellman stole millions of hearts across the world when he played Paolo in the Lizzie McGuire Movie. But now, 22 years after the hit film, the heartthrob looks completely different from his early Disney days. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Yani was catapulted into the spotlight thanks to his role as the handsome Italian popstar in the Lizzie McGuire Movie Credit: Alamy 3 It's been more than two decades since the actor stole millions of hearts across the world Credit: Alamy 3 The actor, now 39, looks unrecognisable, sporting a stubble and shorter hair Credit: instagram/Yani Gellman Born in the US, Yani was catapulted into the spotlight thanks to his role as the handsome Italian popstar who convinced Lizzie, played by Hilary Duff, to perform with him. Both Lizzie and the audience fell in love wit Yani's sweet smile, swept hair and charming Italian accent - which is why when he turned out to be a fake at the end of the movie was particularly shocking and heartbreaking. The Disney hit movie, which premiered in 2003, was a huge staple in millions of childhoods, and despite the twist ending, it's safe to say that Paolo was a celebrity crush for many. But what does he look like now? Well, Yani has most certainly grown up over the last two decades. Recent Instagram photos show that the actor, now 39, is rocking some stubble, and his hair is much shorter than when he appeared on TV screens. Yani made his acting debut back in 1998 in an episode of the show Animorphs. After that, he landed a bunch of small roles in shows like Goosebumps, The Famous Jett Jackson, Blue Murder, and Mentors. He also starred in the movies Urban Legends: Final Cut, Jason X, Boss of Bosses, and The Matthew Shepard Story. In 2002, he landed the lead role in the TV series Guinevere Jones. However, his big break came in 2003 when he was cast as Paolo in The Lizzie McGuire Movie. 00s TV heartthrob, now 69, looks unrecognizable from hot cop character as he's spotted years after hit show canceled In addition to Hilary, now 37, it also starred Adam Lamberg, Robert Carradine, Haille Todd, and Jake Thomas. The movie grossed $55.5 million - £43million - at the box office and made him an international star. After the huge success of The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Yani went on to act in the show Wild Card, the Canadian series Monster Warriors, CBS' The Young and the Reckless, the popular drama series Pretty Little Liars, and CW's 90210. In more recent years, the actor appeared in the horror film 47 Meters Down, the TV movie A Bestselling Kind of Love, and Apple TV's Departing Seniors. Over the years, Yani has spoken positively of The Lizzie McGuire Movie, which made him famous. Back in 2023 on the 20th anniversary, he posted an emotional tribute to his Instagram, writing: ''This week marks the 20th anniversary of the premiere of The Lizzie McGuire Movie. ''This film has meant more to me than words can say ... [Here's] to the best community of fans and supporters anywhere - thank you for an amazing run. This truly is what dreams are made of.'' He also told Too Fab in 2018 that he would love to reprise his role as Palo for a reboot so that he could have a ''chance at redemption''. ''I think a reboot would be fun,''he said. ''I think a reboot with some sort of like shout outs to the generation of actors beforehand would be fun. ''But then I also think that there's potentially even a bit of a story there about like what happens to these characters after this trip.'' The actor added: ''I've always felt that Paolo had a heart bigger than what he kind of showed in those moments. ''The character would love a chance at redemption. So you know I would definitely be open to considering that if it came around. ''But no matter what, I think the movies and the TV show that are still out there kind of really appeal and relate to like even today's audiences, so whether they make another thing or not, this world kind of lives on and people still enjoy it.'' One fan recently commented under Yani's post: ''You're what my dreams are made of (talk to me).'' ''Hi there handsome,'' another fan shot their shot. ''Sing to me Paolo,'' someone else chuckled.
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Lizzie McGuire fans are losing their minds after realising what heartthrob Paulo looks like 22 years after the hit film
YANI Gellman stole millions of hearts across the world when he played Paolo in the Lizzie McGuire Movie. But now, 22 years after the hit film, the 3 Yani was catapulted into the spotlight thanks to his role as the handsome Italian popstar in the Lizzie McGuire Movie Credit: Alamy 3 It's been more than two decades since the actor stole millions of hearts across the world Credit: Alamy 3 The actor, now 39, looks unrecognisable, sporting a stubble and shorter hair Credit: instagram/Yani Gellman Born in the US, Yani was catapulted into the spotlight thanks to his role as the handsome Italian popstar who convinced Both Lizzie and the audience fell in love wit Yani's sweet smile, swept hair and charming Italian accent - which is why when he turned out to be a fake at the end of the movie was particularly shocking and heartbreaking. The Disney hit movie, which premiered in 2003, was a huge staple in millions of childhoods, and despite the twist ending, it's safe to say that Paolo was a But what does he look like now? Well, Yani has most certainly grown up over the last two decades. read more on celebrities Recent Instagram photos show that the actor, now 39, is rocking some Yani made his acting debut back in 1998 in an episode of the show Animorphs. After that, he landed a bunch of small roles in shows like Goosebumps, The Famous Jett Jackson, Blue Murder, and Mentors. He also starred in the movies Urban Legends: Final Cut, Jason X, Boss of Bosses, and The Matthew Shepard Story. Most read in Celebrity In 2002, he landed the lead role in the TV series Guinevere Jones. However, his big break came in 2003 when he was cast as Paolo in 00s TV heartthrob, now 69, looks unrecognizable from hot cop character as he's spotted years after hit show canceled In addition to Hilary, now 37, it also starred Adam Lamberg, Robert Carradine, Haille Todd, and Jake Thomas. The movie grossed $55.5 million - £43million - at the box office and made him an international star. After the huge success of The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Yani went on to act in the show Wild Card, the Canadian series Monster Warriors, CBS' The Young and the Reckless, the popular drama series Pretty Little Liars, and CW's 90210. In more recent years, the actor appeared in the horror film 47 Meters Down, the TV movie A Bestselling Kind of Love, and Apple TV's Departing Seniors. Over the years, Yani has spoken positively of The Lizzie McGuire Movie, which made him famous. Back in 2023 on the 20th anniversary, he posted an emotional tribute to his Instagram, writing: ''This week marks the 20th anniversary of the premiere of The Lizzie McGuire Movie. ''This film has meant more to me than words can say ... [Here's] to the best community of fans and supporters anywhere - thank you for an amazing run. This truly is what dreams are made of.'' He also told ''I think a reboot would be fun,''he said. ''I think a reboot with some sort of like shout outs to the generation of actors beforehand would be fun. ''But then I also think that there's potentially even a bit of a story there about like what happens to these characters after this trip.'' The actor added: ''I've always felt that Paolo had a heart bigger than what he kind of showed in those moments. ''The character would love a chance at redemption. So you know I would definitely be open to considering that if it came around. ''But no matter what, I think the movies and the TV show that are still out there kind of really appeal and relate to like even today's audiences, so whether they make another thing or not, this world kind of lives on and people still enjoy it.'' One fan recently commented under ''Hi there handsome,'' another fan shot their shot. ''Sing to me Paolo,'' someone else chuckled.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Lizzie McGuire fans are losing their minds after realising what heartthrob Paulo looks like 22 years after the hit film
YANI Gellman stole millions of hearts across the world when he played Paolo in the Lizzie McGuire Movie. But now, 22 years after the hit film, the heartthrob looks completely different from his early Disney days. 3 3 3 Born in the US, Yani was catapulted into the spotlight thanks to his role as the handsome Italian popstar who convinced Lizzie, played by Hilary Duff, to perform with him. Both Lizzie and the audience fell in love wit Yani's sweet smile, swept hair and charming Italian accent - which is why when he turned out to be a fake at the end of the movie was particularly shocking and heartbreaking. The Disney hit movie, which premiered in 2003, was a huge staple in millions of childhoods, and despite the twist ending, it's safe to say that Paolo was a celebrity crush for many. But what does he look like now? Well, Yani has most certainly grown up over the last two decades. Recent Instagram photos show that the actor, now 39, is rocking some stubble, and his hair is much shorter than when he appeared on TV screens. Yani made his acting debut back in 1998 in an episode of the show Animorphs. After that, he landed a bunch of small roles in shows like Goosebumps, The Famous Jett Jackson, Blue Murder, and Mentors. He also starred in the movies Urban Legends: Final Cut, Jason X, Boss of Bosses, and The Matthew Shepard Story. In 2002, he landed the lead role in the TV series Guinevere Jones. However, his big break came in 2003 when he was cast as Paolo in The Lizzie McGuire Movie. 00s TV heartthrob, now 69, looks unrecognizable from hot cop character as he's spotted years after hit show canceled In addition to Hilary, now 37, it also starred Adam Lamberg, Robert Carradine, Haille Todd, and Jake Thomas. The movie grossed $55.5 million - £43million - at the box office and made him an international star. After the huge success of The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Yani went on to act in the show Wild Card, the Canadian series Monster Warriors, CBS' The Young and the Reckless, the popular drama series Pretty Little Liars, and CW's 90210. In more recent years, the actor appeared in the horror film 47 Meters Down, the TV movie A Bestselling Kind of Love, and Apple TV's Departing Seniors. Over the years, Yani has spoken positively of The Lizzie McGuire Movie, which made him famous. Back in 2023 on the 20th anniversary, he posted an emotional tribute to his Instagram, writing: ''This week marks the 20th anniversary of the premiere of The Lizzie McGuire Movie. ''This film has meant more to me than words can say ... [Here's] to the best community of fans and supporters anywhere - thank you for an amazing run. This truly is what dreams are made of.'' He also told Too Fab in 2018 that he would love to reprise his role as Palo for a reboot so that he could have a ''chance at redemption''. ''I think a reboot would be fun,''he said. ''I think a reboot with some sort of like shout outs to the generation of actors beforehand would be fun. ''But then I also think that there's potentially even a bit of a story there about like what happens to these characters after this trip.'' The actor added: ''I've always felt that Paolo had a heart bigger than what he kind of showed in those moments. ''The character would love a chance at redemption. So you know I would definitely be open to considering that if it came around. ''But no matter what, I think the movies and the TV show that are still out there kind of really appeal and relate to like even today's audiences, so whether they make another thing or not, this world kind of lives on and people still enjoy it.'' ''Hi there handsome,'' another fan shot their shot. ''Sing to me Paolo,'' someone else chuckled.
The Guardian
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Andrew McMillan: ‘As an atheist, the poetry of Mary Oliver is the closest I come to prayer'
My earliest reading memory A memory of being read to, rather than of reading. Every time I was off school sick, I'd ask Mum to read to me from the Ladybird Children's Classic edition of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. My favourite book growing up I was the boy who was very much into the Goosebumps books of RL Stine, the Shivers books of MD Spenser, KA Applegate's Animorphs series. All of them shared something of the ordinary moment of life made strange. The book that changed me as a teenager I came out to my dad when I was 16, and he came into my bedroom that night and gave me the meaty red slab of Thom Gunn's Collected Poems. More than anything, what felt transformative was just a simple sense of seeing for the first time that who I believed myself to be might be worthy of literature. The writer who changed my mind Everything you read, if it's good, should change your mind. Not in terms of opinion, but the chemistry of your brain and the way it deciphers the world should be altered; if only in a small way, if only temporarily. There's a phrase in Niall Campbell's third collection of poetry, The Island in the Sound, about a bee: 'The swelling queen quivers like a just struck match.' Each time I go to light a candle, I picture that. The book that made me want to be a writer It feels unfair to put the blame for that on a singular set of shoulders. There are writers whose tuning forks I want to hold closest to my ear as I write; chief among them is probably the novelist Jon McGregor ever since his debut If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things. The book or author I came back to When I was younger I devoured Allen Ginsberg, and Diane Wakoski, and the anthology Children of Albion: Poetry of the Underground in Britain. That work is still important to me, but as I've grown older and calmed down, I find myself spending deeper time with the brilliance of work I might earlier have hurtled past. Seamus Heaney has become someone I find myself coming back to now, and more recently Michael Longley too, in his beautiful Ash Keys. The book I reread I have a recurring end-of-the-world dream. Not the event itself, but the aftermath, when there's nothing to be done but wait. I don't know why but you can ask my therapist, he has an interesting theory. There's something about a yearly reread of Nevil Shute's On the Beach that I find rhymes quite pleasantly with the night-time scenarios I tell myself. The book I could never read again Virginia Woolf's novels have always been ones I've held close, with The Waves being the very best of them for me. Reading the lush prose poetry of its sentences for the first time felt like such a magical experience that I've never really dared to return to it fully, in the way you might worry that, in returning to a childhood holiday, you'll find the place unglamoured from how you'd remembered it. The book I discovered later in life I have a habit of using the Nobel prizes as a shopping list. More recently that has involved using Olga Tokarczuk's The Empusium and Jon Fosse's Morning and Evening as a departure, backwards, through their work. Next up will be Han Kang and Abdulrazak Gurnah. The same technique, starting with their forthcoming latest, and working backwards. The book I am currently reading Being sent proofs of as-yet-unpublished books feels like a kind of harmless time travel, a mild and relatively useless form of clairvoyance. I'm currently calendar-hopping with David Szalay's astounding and deeply unsettling Flesh. I'm also continuing the journey I imagine will take me the rest of 2025, traversing the epic terrain of Alexis Wright's Praiseworthy. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion My comfort read Mary Oliver. As a devout atheist her Selected Poems is the closest thing I have to a religious text in the house. One poem each evening, like a small prayer. Pity by Andrew McMillan (Canongate) is longlisted for the Swansea University Dylan Thomas prize. To support the Guardian and Observer, order your copy at Delivery charges may apply.
