Laura Marano

Early life

Marano was born in Los Angeles, California. She is the younger daughter of college professor Damiano Marano and former actress Ellen (née Sweeney) Marano, who owns the Agoura Children's Theatre. Her father is of Italian descent. Marano was first introduced to acting at her mother's theatre. At age five, Marano began expressing interest in acting professionally to her parents along with her older sister Vanessa, who is also an actress. Marano began learning to play the piano, at age nine.

Marano attended traditional school while she worked, even when she booked a full-time job on Austin & Ally, instead of doing school on set. "I go to an actual high school and my friends and everybody there have been so supportive," said Marano in 2013. "It's nice when I'm not working to go to that school and be surrounded by really supportive friends." In 2015 Marano enrolled at the University of Southern California majoring in philosophy, politics and law.

Career

2003–2010: ''Without a Trace'' and ''Back to You''

Marano's first acting role was when she was five years old. Since then, she worked for multiple productions at the Stage Door Theater. She has appeared in numerous commercials and had small roles on Ghost Whisperer, Medical Investigation, Huff and Joan of Arcadia. Her bigger roles in television have been in Without a Trace and other shows. She played the child role of Keira Knightley's character in the film The Jacket and had a small flashback role in the film Superbad. She was a regular cast member on the Fox game show, Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? and played the role of Gracie Carr on FOX's sitcom Back to You. Marano has since appeared in several episodes of The Sarah Silverman Program. Initially she was cast in the pilot episode, "Batteries", as the child version of Sarah Silverman, and the writers liked her so much they brought her back for a larger role as a girl Sarah coaches to win a beauty pageant ("Not Without My Daughter"). On the DVD commentary track, co-star Brian Posehn notes that Marano knew everyone else's lines better than they did. She also appeared in Dexter as the child version of Debra Morgan, and in Heroes as Alice Shaw, the child version of Diana Scarwid's character.

2011–2016: ''Austin & Ally'' and radio

In 2011, Marano had her breakout role as Ally Dawson on the Disney Channel series Austin & Ally. In 2013, Marano recorded four solo songs and one duet with Ross Lynch for the soundtrack album Austin & Ally: Turn It Up. "Me and You" debuted within the U.S. Billboard Kid Digital Songs chart at number thirteen before rising to the sixth spot, spending eleven weeks on the chart. "Redial" debuted at number nineteen before peaking at number eighteen, spending four weeks on the chart. Also in 2013, Marano recorded a duet with her Austin & Ally co-star Ross Lynch entitled "I Love Christmas" for Disney Channel's third holiday compilation album, Holidays Unwrapped. On November 25, 2013, the song was released as a promotional single. On December 14, "I Love Christmas" debuted within the U.S. Billboard Holiday Digital Songs chart peaking at number fifty.

In 2014, Marano voiced Rachel in four episodes of Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja. She also appeared as Hammu in Fish Hooks and as Fangs in Liv and Maddie. Also in 2014, she appeared in a music video produced for British pop-rock group The Vamps and American singer Demi Lovato called "Somebody to You". In March 2015, Marano stated that she had signed a record deal with Universal's Big Machine Records. In the same year, Marano starred in Disney Channel's Original Movie, Bad Hair Day alongside Leigh-Allyn Baker, playing Monica Reeves, the film's main protagonist. The film was first released on February 6, 2015, on Disney Channel and had its premiere broadcast in the US on February 13. She also starred as the young version of Amy in A Sort of Homecoming, which tells the story of a girl who returns to her home town in Louisiana from her career in New York City. On January 10, 2016, Austin and Ally ended after four seasons.

On January 13, 2016, Marano debuted her own radio talk show on Radio Disney entitled For the Record with Laura Marano. The weekly one-hour show chronicled Marano's journey as she launched her music career, featuring interviews with a guest star in each episode. The show also provided listeners tips on how one can pursue a career in music. The show featured various guest stars including Nick Jonas, Ariana Grande, Meghan Trainor, OneRepublic, Troye Sivan and Zendaya. The first episode of the show, which aired January 12, 2016, guest starred her co-stars of Austin & Ally.

2016–present: Films and music

On March 11, 2016, Marano released her debut single called "Boombox". The music video for the single released on April 4, 2016, and accumulated over 6 million views in a week. The video currently holds over 60 million views. It guest stars actor and comedian Ken Jeong, along with his daughter Zooey, and was directed by Cole Walliser. On April 30, 2016, Marano performed the single at the 2016 Radio Disney Music Awards, which aired on Disney Channel on May 1. Marano also performed the song on Today as Elvis Duran's Artist of the Month on May 31, 2016. Marano released her second single, "La La", on August 25, 2016. At the end of 2016, Big Machine Records made the decision to drop all of their pop artists, except for Taylor Swift. On May 18, 2017, it was announced that Marano had signed to Warner Bros. Records in 2017. In 2018, they parted ways, because the people who had signed her left Warner Bros.

On October 1, 2018, Marano announced in a Q&A video posted on her YouTube channel that she would be releasing new music as an independent artist. She named her own label Flip Phone Records, as Marano is known for still using a flip phone. On October 5, 2018, she released the single "Me" . In January 2019, she released the single "Let Me Cry" along with its music video. In February 2019, Marano performed at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles and released the single "F.E.O.U.". On March 8, 2019, she released her debut EP, Me, featuring two unheard tracks and a new remix to "F.E.O.U.".

On April 12, 2019, Marano released "A Little Closer", as part of the soundtrack of the Netflix original movie "The Perfect Date", which also sees Marano playing the role of Celia. In June 2019, the Lie To Me music video came out, followed by the F.E.O.U. music video in October of the same year. On November 22, 2019, Marano released both "Me and the Mistletoe" featuring Kurt Hugo Schneider, her first original Christmas single, and the soundtrack of "A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish", which Marano stars in the movie.

On April 10, 2020, Marano released the single "When You Wake Up", followed by "Can't Hold On Forever" in May of the same year. In June 2020, Marano released the remixes to these past two singles, respectively featuring Mark Diamond and PLTO. In August 2020, the singer released a new single, titled "Honest With You", and during the same month, it was announced that her sophomore EP, titled You, would be coming out in fall of the same year, aiming for an October release. On September 18, 2020, the singer released a fourth single, "Can't Help Myself", along with the announcement of the release date of the EP, "YOU". On September 21, the singer announced her first virtual tour, The YOU Tour, which would take place during the month of October, with four unique live-stream shows every week, from October 3 to 24, with each concert being unique and with a different formulation. On January 22, 2021, the singer released the acoustic version of the single Something To Believe In, whereas the music video was released on February 19, 2021. On March 12, the remix of the single was released in collaboration with DJ AFSHEEN. On April 16, the remix of the single, Honest With You, with the Malaysian singer Alextbh, was released. On May 21, the remix of Can't Help Myself was released, featuring Jean Deaux and produced by Poe Leos and on the same day, the deluxe version of the EP, YOU, was announced.

On September 24, 2021, the singer released the single I Wanna Know What It's Like. On December 31, 2021, the single Dance With You was released, featuring the electronic duo Grey, whereas on January 20, 2022, the single "Worst Kind of Hurt", with singer-songwriter Wrabel was released. Both songs are part of the soundtrack of the Netflix rom-com, The Royal Treatment, in which Marano also stars, released in January 2022. In February, a live performance of Worst Kind Of Hurt featuring Wrabel was released on Marano's YouTube channel, whereas the music video for Dance With You was released in March. Moreover, Marano and Michael Trewartha from Grey performed the song on The Kelly Clarkson Show during the same month.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq3UmluiOhk/|title = Laura Marano And Grey Perform 'Dance With You' On The Kelly Clarkson Show In March 2022, the singer announced her first national concert tour, The Us Tour, set for summer 2022 and counting of 22 dates across the United States. On tour Marano performed several tracks on piano and with her band, which consisted of Mark Diamond on guitar and Ross Hodgkinson on drums.

Later that month, it was announced that Marano was to lead Netflix's interactive rom-com, Choose Love.

On July 31, 2023, Marano announced I May Be An Actress, but I Can't Fake How I Feel, her debut studio album which was released on September 15, 2023.

Philanthropy

In August 2013, Marano was named the 2013 UNICEF's Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Ambassador, which encouraged children to raise money on Halloween to help children around the world. About the campaign, Laura said "I'm so excited to celebrate Halloween this year by encouraging kids to support UNICEF's lifesaving work. The Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign is a fun, easy way for kids to learn about world issues and to help other kids who are less fortunate." In August 2014, Marano was ambassador for the Disney and Birds Eye Vegetables campaign 'Step up to the plate'. The campaign's goal is to encourage children in the United States to explore healthy foods such as vegetables. In April 2019, Laura Marano hosted a fashion show for Childhelp during National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Filmography

Film

Television

Radio

• For the Record with Laura Marano (2016), as Host, for Radio Disney

Discography

Studio albums

Soundtrack albums

EPs

Singles

As lead artist

As a featured artist

Promotional singles

Other charted songs

Guest appearances

Music videos

Guest appearances

Concert tours

Headlining tours

• The Us Tour (2022)

Concerts

• Laura Marano at The Roxy (2019)
• The You Tour: A four-date live stream tour (2020)
• Sundays with Laura and You: A seven-date live stream concert series (2021)
• A Good Time with Laura Marano (2023)

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

References

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2. Erin Hill. (November 19, 2013). "'My Favorite Things' ''with Austin & Ally''{{'}}s Laura Marano". Parade.
3. "Exclusive: Disney's Laura Marano Shares Secrets!".
4. Dave McNary. (January 28, 2014). "Laura Marano Starring in 'A Sort of Homecoming' (Exclusive)". [[Variety (magazine).
5. . (July 8, 2014). ["'Bad Hair Day': Laura Marano, Leigh-Allyn Baker to Star in Disney Channel Original Movie"](https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/bad-hair-day-laura-marano-leigh-allyn-baker-disney-channel-original-movie-1201259014/). *[[Variety (magazine)*.
6. "Elsie Sweeney (2015)".
7. "John Edward Sweeney Jr. (1932-2016)".
8. Jeffrey Dransfeldt. (January 25, 2009). "Agoura Hills sisters are young stars on the rise". Ventura County Star.
9. "About Us". Agoura Children's Theatre.
10. "Interview: Laura Marano".
11. (2013-11-14). "EXCLUSIVE: Disney's Laura Marano Shares Secrets!".
12. (April 9, 2013). "Laura Marano Goes To A Regular High School". Disney Dreaming.
13. (October 23, 2015). "Disney Channel star balances school and singing".
14. (July 23, 2012). "Vanessa & Laura Marano Interview – 2012 Teen Choice Awards". clevverTV.
15. (January 2013). "Austin & Ally: Turn It Up (Soundtrack from the TV Series)". Itunes.
16. "Artists / Laura Marano – Billboard Chart History".
17. "I Love Christmas – Single by Ross Lynch & Laura Marano". Zobbel.
18. (September 8, 2012). "December 14, 2013 – Holiday Digital Songs".
19. "The Vamps on casting Laura Marano in their 'Somebody To You' music video: Pressparty". Pressparty.
20. Liz Isenberg. (March 29, 2015). "Kids' Choice Awards 2015: Iggy Azalea Begged Producers to Get Slimed". The Hollywood Reporter.
21. (February 19, 2015). "Bad Hair Day (Trailer)". Family Channel.
22. "April 2015 – A-Z Movies". [[Foxtel]].
23. "2015 Announcing Best Actor and Actress Nominations for WorldFest-Houston 48th".
24. Elizabeth Wagmeister. (January 8, 2016). "Disney's ''Austin & Ally'' Creators Talk Series Finale, Favorite Cast Memories". [[Variety (magazine).
25. "BIG MACHINE RECORDS RECORDING ARTIST LAURA MARANO TO HOST WEEKLY SHOW ON RADIO DISNEY - Big Machine Label Group".
26. Laura Marano. (August 12, 2016). "Laura Marano La La 8.25.16".
27. (January 12, 2017). "'American Idol' Winner Nick Fradiani, Big Machine Records Part Ways".
28. "Laura Marano Signs to Warner Bros Records".
29. (October 1, 2018). "Laura Marano Q&A {{!}} Where have I been? New Music? Life Update!". [[YouTube]].
30. "'Boombox' Singer Laura Marano Reveals Why She Still Uses a Flip Phone". PEOPLE.com.
31. Marano, Laura. (October 1, 2018). "Me. Out October 5th 😩🙌💁🏻♀️ https://t.co/mFZJH0T4Eg".
32. Marano, Laura. (March 8, 2019). "My little baby is officially out 😭I. Am. So. Excited!!!!! #MeEp https://t.co/Qmv2a8qX2r".
33. (September 19, 2020). "Listen to Laura Marano's New Song, "Can't Help Myself"".
34. (September 18, 2020). "Laura Marano surpreende fãs com anúncio de novo EP e lançamento de single!".
35. Marano, Laura. (September 21, 2020). "I'm going on tour... VIRTUALLY!! I was sad I couldn't go on my first tour this year, but I am beyond excited to perform in some kind of way, soo join me on #TheYOUTour! I'm playing four unique livestream shows this October & tickets go on sale this Wed, Sept 23rd @ 10am PT! https://t.co/yPU0zpP4LY".
36. (February 18, 2021). "Laura Marano - Something to Believe in (Official Music Video)".
37. (January 25, 2021). "Thank you to everyone who's been listening to my lil stripped down darling 🥺 keep listening!!!!!".
38. (March 9, 2021). "The Something to Believe In -AFSHEEN Remix is coming out this Friday!!!!!! I'm so excited to dance with you all (vi…".
39. (April 5, 2021). "👀👀👀 You should click this link or whatever".
40. (September 16, 2021). "Laura Marano to Release New Single, "I Wanna Know What It's Like"".
41. (March 25, 2022). "Laura Marano - Dance with You (Official Music Video) ft. Grey".
42. (February 11, 2022). "Laura Marano & Wrabel - Worst Kind of Hurt (Live Video)".
43. "Laura Marano".
44. (2022-08-16). "Laura Marano Gives an Intimate Performance at the House of Blues in Dallas – Off Record Blog".
45. (March 30, 2022). "Netflix Sets Interactive Romantic Comedy 'Choose Love,' Laura Marano to Lead".
46. "My debut album, ''I May Be An Actress, but I Can't Fake How I Feel'' will finally be yours September 15th ❤️".
47. (August 19, 2013). "Disney Channel Star Laura Marano Named 2013 Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Ambassador".
48. (August 27, 2014). "Laura Marano, from Disney's Austin and Ally, Steps Up to the Plate!". [[WTSP]] 10 News.
49. (April 16, 2019). "Laura Marano co-hosts Childhelp fashion show during National Child Abuse Prevention Month".
50. "''Austin & Ally'' Show Bios". Disney Channel Press.
51. Stephanie Osmanski. (May 7, 2014). "13 More Stars You Had No Idea Voiced These Animated Characters!". [[M Magazine]].
52. "I spy three little chipmunks. Catch me in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip this Friday! AH so excited!! 😏😏😏 #AlvinMovie".
53. "Oh my chipmunk! Catch me in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip this Friday! I'm in it for like 30 seconds, but it is one of the cutest 30 seconds of my life 😜 #AlvinMovie @AlvinMovies".
54. Pham, Jason. (2020-08-28). "How Vanessa Marano's Sister Laura Inspired Her 'This Is the Year' Character".
55. Houseman, Molly. (27 February 2021). "Dunedin streets to be closed for filming". [[Otago Daily Times]].
56. Otterson, Joe. (30 March 2022). "Netflix Orders Interactive Rom-Com 'Choose Love' From Josann McGibbon". Variety.
57. (October 30, 2023). "Todd Slater & Brandon Evans' New Venture Brick Lane Entertainment To Launch Laura Marano-Starring 'When We Collided' At AFM".
58. D'Alessandro, Anthony. (2023-04-24). "Malcolm McDowell, Mary Steenburgen, Bernadette Peters & James Paxton Board Adam Rifkin's 'Last Train To Fortune'".
59. Ramachandran, Naman. (2024-05-18). "'Emily in Paris' Star Lucien Laviscount, 'The Royal Treatment's' Laura Marano Join Cynthia Khalifeh on Horror-Thriller 'Borderline' (EXCLUSIVE)".
60. Stefani, Diane. (2024-10-18). "Independent Feature Film ORIGINAL SOUND Wraps Production in New York City".
61. Kay, Jeremy. (2025-02-05). "Sublimity Entertainment boards world sales for EFM on sci-fi horror 'Silk Theory' (exclusive)".
62. Pablos, Emiliano De. (2025-07-17). "Antonio Banderas Boards Jesse V. Johnson Action Thriller 'Above and Below,' Produced by Spain's AF, With Capstone Pictures Handling Worldwide Distribution (EXCLUSIVE)".
63. Sara Bibel. (January 7, 2015). "Original Movie 'Bad Hair Day' Starring Laura Marano & Leigh-Allyn Baker to Premiere Friday, February 13 on Disney Channel". Disney Channel.
64. Antoine Delplanque. (February 5, 2016). "Mère et fille, California Dream : la fiction avec Lubna Gourion (Plus belle la vie) et Laura Marano (Austin & Ally)". Toutelatele.
65. (January 5, 2016). "YEAY: Laura Marano Announces 'For the Record' Radio Disney Show". J-14.
66. (September 15, 2023). "i may be an actress, but i can't fake how i feel". [[Apple Music]].
67. (March 8, 2019). "ME". [[Apple Music]].
68. (June 25, 2021). "YOU (Deluxe)". [[Apple Music]].
69. (July 8, 2022). "Us". [[Apple Music]].
70. (January 10, 2022). "NZ Hot Singles Chart". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
71. (March 11, 2016). "Boombox – Single by Laura Marano".
72. (August 25, 2016). "La La – Single by Laura Marano".
73. (October 5, 2018). "Me – Single by Laura Marano". iTunes.
74. (January 11, 2019). "Let Me Cry – Single by Laura Marano".
75. (February 15, 2019). "F.E.O.U. - Single by Laura Marano".
76. (April 12, 2019). "A Little Closer by Laura Marano".
77. "Me and the Mistletoe (feat. Kurt Hugo Schneider) by Laura Marano".
78. Marano, Laura. (September 17, 2020). "Ahhhhhh!!!!! My EP, YOU, is coming out October 2nd!!!!! AHHHHH!!!! You can presave it now here https://t.co/QkeC4Oyr0m buuuuut I also wanted to do something else special to celebrate, so my newest single Can't Help Myself is out tonight ✨🎉 https://t.co/Exesa3TScL".
79. (January 22, 2021). "Something To Believe In by Laura Marano".
80. (March 30, 2018). "Weekend (feat. Laura Marano) – Single by BoTalks".
81. "Laura Marano – Words". Discogs.
82. (December 13, 2013). "I Love Christmas Chart History".
83. (March 7, 2014). "Me and You Chart History".
84. (October 31, 2014). "Parachute Chart History".
85. (January 24, 2014}}{{dead link). "Redial Chart History".
86. (February 28, 2014}}{{dead link). "You Can Come To Me Chart History".
87. (February 28, 2014}}{{dead link). "The Me That You Don't See Chart History".
88. (March 7, 2014}}{{dead link). "Austin & Ally Glee Club Mash Up Chart History".
89. "Disney Fairies: Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust".
90. "Shine - Disney Fairies: Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust - Laura Marano".
91. (March 18, 2012). "Laura Marano- Words (Official Music Video)".
92. (February 4, 2015). "Bad Hair Day - "For The Ride" Music Video Clip - Disney Channel Official".
93. (April 3, 2016). "Laura Marano - Boombox".
94. (July 23, 2013). "Miraculous Ladybug {{!}} Laura Marano's Theme Song Music Video {{!}} Nick".
95. (October 8, 2018). "Laura Marano - Me (Official Music Video)".
96. (January 23, 2019). "Laura Marano - Let Me Cry (Official Music Video)".
97. (June 26, 2019). "Laura Marano - Lie to Me (Official Music Video)".
98. (October 7, 2019). "Laura Marano - F.E.O.U. (Official Music Video) [Explicit]".
99. (December 12, 2019). "Laura Marano - Me and the Mistletoe (Official Music Video)".
100. (February 18, 2021). "Laura Marano - Something To Believe In (Official Music Video)".
101. (April 15, 2021). "Laura Marano, Alextbh – Honest With You (Official Music Video)".
102. (February 11, 2022). "Laura Marano & Wrabel - Worst Kind of Hurt (Live Video)".
103. (March 24, 2022). "Laura Marano - Dance with You (Official Music Video) ft. Grey".
104. (March 2, 2023). "Laura Marano - Arrow (Official Music Video)".
105. (April 13, 2023). "Laura Marano - Boundaries (Official Music Video)".
106. (June 5, 2023). "Laura Marano - The Valley (Official Music Video)".
107. (September 15, 2023). "Laura Marano - Someday (Official Music Video)".
108. (October 10, 2025). "Laura Marano - YOU (Music Film)".
109. (July 12, 2012). "Disney Channel Heads to the Beach with the World Premiere of 'Heard It On the Radio' Music Video, Friday, July 13". Disney Channel.
110. (June 9, 2014). "The Vamps – Somebody To You ft. Demi Lovato".
111. (April 6, 2016). "Freya Vs. Ravenna Princess Rap Battle".
112. "Diana Baliscao and Wendy Galvan won tickets to Laura Marano 's show at The Roxy! They were randomly selected just for participating in our #Thirsty30 Campaign with Key Club. Diana filmed and edited this super fun video and we wanted to share it with you!".
113. "A GOOD TIME WITH LAURA MARANO".
114. Philiana Ng. (June 17, 2014). "Teen Choice Awards Nominees: Selena Gomez, Austin Mahone and More". Hollywood Life.
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116. (July 7, 2015). "Wave 2 Nominees!". [[Teen Choice Awards]].
117. Rebecca Macatee. (February 20, 2015). "Kids' Choice Awards 2016 Nominations are in: Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt, Anna Kendrick & More Favorites Named". E! Online.
118. "The 2017 Detroit Film Critics Society Awards". [[Detroit Film Critics Society]].
119. (December 9, 2017). "2017 San Diego Film Critics Society's Award Nominations". [[San Diego Film Critics Society]].
120. (December 11, 2017). "2017 San Diego Film Critics Society Award Winners". [[San Diego Film Critics Society]].
121. "''Blade Runner 2049'' Leads the 2017 Seattle Film Critics Society Nominations". [[Seattle Film Critics Society]].
122. "'The Shape of Water' Leads 2017 Florida Film Critics Awards Nominations". [[Florida Film Critics Circle]].
123. "2017 FFCC Winners". [[Florida Film Critics Circle]].
124. Neglia, Matt. (December 17, 2017). "The 2017 Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) Nominations". NextBigPicture.
125. Hammond, Pete. (December 6, 2017). "Critics' Choice Awards Nominations: 'The Shape Of Water' Leads With 14; Netflix Tops TV Contenders".
126. (January 8, 2018). "2017 Awards". [[Georgia Film Critics Association]].
127. Moreau, Jordan. (June 19, 2019). "'Avengers: Endgame', 'Riverdale', 'Aladdin', Top 2019 Teen Choice Awards Nominations".
128. Gardner, Chris. (October 3, 2022). "Laura Marano to Be Honored With Cameron Boyce Pioneering Spirit Award at Beverly Hills Gala".
129. (2012). "Disney Channel Medianet – Laura Marano bio". Disney Channel.
130. (November 1, 2011). "'Austin & Ally,' A Comedy About An Unlikely Friendship, Premieres Sunday, December 4 on Disney Channel". Disney Channel.
131. Ng, Philiana. (March 11, 2012). "Disney Channel Renews 'Austin & Ally' (Exclusive)". [[Prometheus Global Media]].