Meaghan Jette Martin is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her roles as Tess Tyler in the Disney Channel television films Camp Rock and its sequel and Jo Mitchell in Mean Girls 2. Martin starred in the ABC Family television series, 10 Things I Hate About You as Bianca Stratford. She has also had guest starring roles in House and Jessie, and played the recurring role of Julie #2 in multiple seasons of MTV's television series Awkward. Martin is also known for lending her voice for Naminé in the video game seriesKingdom Hearts as well as voicing and motion-capturing Jessica from the video game Until Dawn. In 2019, Martin made her professional London stage debut in The Actor's Nightmare at the Park Theatre.
Early life
Martin was born in Las Vegas, Nevada and has two brothers and one sister. She started modelling at age five. Martin also appeared in several community theater productions in Las Vegas such as Peter Pan and performed for her Showteam and later made her professional theater debut as Kendra in the Los Angeles production of 13 by Jason Robert Brown, directed by Todd Graff. She appeared in several television commercials such as for Cabbage Patch Kids and Barbie.
Acting
Martin started her acting career in 2007, in television programs such as Nickelodeon's Just Jordan and CBS's Close to Home, as well as a guest stint in the Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. Martin was eventually cast as the lead antagonist Tess Tyler in the Disney Channel original movie, Camp Rock, starring Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers. Martin was selected by TV Guide in 2008, as one of the "13 Hottest Young Stars to Watch". She was the online host for the 2008 Disney Channel Games. Martin voiced the character Naminé in all subsequent releases in Kingdom Hearts series, replacing Brittany Snow, who did not return to the series. Martin starred in the ABC Family sitcom 10 Things I Hate About You as Bianca and received rave reviews for her performance in the series. Mike Hale of The New York Times described Meaghan as "the high point of an excellent ensemble". She also played the role of Megan Kennedy in the independent film Dear Lemon Lima which received the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the Woodstock Film Festival. Martin returned to reprise her role as Tess Tyler in , premiered on September 3, 2010, on Disney Channel. In 2011, Martin played the main character Jo Mitchell in the television film Mean Girls 2, the sequel of the 2004 filmMean Girls. Martin also played the role of Aubrey in the feature film Sironia. On June 16, 2011, Martin appeared for one night in Super Summer Theatre's live production of "Annie" at Spring Mountain Ranch in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the role of Star-To-Be. Martin is also starring in the web seriesWendy as the title character alongside Tyler Blackburn. Wendy is a dark twist on 'Peter Pan'. The series premiered on macys.com on September 15, 2011. In 2013, Martin appeared in the film adaptation Geography Club as Trish, earning a nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role at L.A. Outfest.Entertainment Tonight wrote "Every year sees the release of one film so culturally important it should be required viewing. This year, that film is Geography Club". Later in 2013, she appeared in the thriller The Good Mother which aired on Lifetime Channel and was cast as Julie #2 in MTV's Awkward, replacing Sophie Tilson. Martin voiced and motion-captured the character of Jessica in the PlayStation 4 exclusive Until Dawn opposite Rami Malek and Peter Stormare. Martin trained as an actor in London, England. In September 2016 she graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. After re-locating permanently to the UK, it was announced on April 9, 2019 that Martin would make her professional London stage debut in The Actor's Nightmare by Tony award-winning playwright Christopher Durang. The show is a dark satire exploring the entertainment industry. She starred in the world premiere production which played at London's Park Theatre, July 16 – August 10, 2019. The show received mixed reviews, though Martin received unanimously positive reviews for her performance, with The Stage writing "Meaghan Martin - best known for film work - makes a strong stage debut here, nailing her part as a stand-up comic desperate for approval, wincing anxiously every time her laugh track plays". Michael Billington of The Guardian called Martin's performance "Chilling", writing: "Meaghan Martin plays, with a marvellous mix of ingratiation and panic, a collapsing standup who pleadingly asks: 'Do you find me funny or disturbing?' On a lighter note, Martin also appears to great effect as a Hollywood hustler meeting a dithering dramatist".
Music
Martin recorded two songs in Camp Rock, "Too Cool" and "2 Stars". Martin sang a version of "When You Wish Upon a Star" for the 2009 re-release of Disney's Pinocchio, as well as appearing in the related music video. The song debuted at number fifty-two on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs chart, becoming her first and only chart single. It has since peaked at number thirty-seven. Martin also recorded a version of the Olivia Newton-John song "Magic" for the Wizards of Waverly Place soundtrack. Martin has partnered with Build-A-Bear Workshop for their "Love.Hugs.Peace" movement. For the ad campaign, Martin recorded a special version of "Let's Talk About Love". Martin also recorded two songs in Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, "Tear it Down" and "Walkin in My Shoes", alongside the Camp Rock co-star Matthew "Mdot" Finley. Martin also appear on the collaborative song "It's On", which features the co-stars of the film. All songs appear in the of the film. Martin appeared in the music videos "Remember December" by Demi Lovato and "It's On" by the cast of Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. Martin did not join the tour, with Demi Lovato and the Camp Rock 2 cast, because she was filming Mean Girls 2.
Personal life
Martin became engaged to British actor Oli Higginson in May 2016. They were married on September 24, 2016, in London, UK.
