Who is Lauren Collins? Drake’s Degrassi co-star was reportedly one of his “first kisses”

Lauren Collins made a name for herself with a steady career in the Canadian entertainment industry, but it was her years as Paige Michalchuk on Degrassi: The Next Generation that showcased her talent in the eyes of many fans. The breakout role remained the cornerstone of her career, even as she branched out into other projects. Reports from Celebrity Net Worth placed Collins’ earnings at around $3 million. Born in Thornhill, Ontario, as documented by IMDb, she built her resume with a mix of television and film credits, from My Dead Mom and Kroll Show to appearances on What We Do in the Shadows.

In a 2010 interview with the Jewish Tribune, Lauren Collins shared that her interest in acting went back to childhood, when she performed with the Char Actors Theatre Troupe for five years. Under the guidance of founder Shari Quallenberg, who later became her agent, Lauren Collins landed opportunities in major productions, including the Antonio Banderas film Take the Lead (2006) and Disney Channel’s High School Musical: High Stakes.

Collins’ connection to Degrassi resurfaced recently, when she joined Drake and other co-stars in a reunion highlighted in the trailer for Lisa Rideout’s documentary Degrassi: Whatever It Takes.

Lauren Collins’ on-screen kiss with Drake remembered in Degrassi:

The legacy of Degrassi returned to the spotlight as Drake and his former co-stars revisited their time on the hit teen drama in the trailer for the upcoming documentary Degrassi: Whatever It Takes.

According to Us Weekly, Drake, then still known to the world as Aubrey Drake Graham, spent seven years on Degrassi: The Next Generation, appearing from 2001 through 2008 as Jimmy Brooks, the high school’s star basketball player. The series, itself the fourth entry in a franchise dating back to 1976, became a launching pad for his career.

In one clip, the documentary cut back to a scene where Jimmy kissed Paige Michalchuk, the character played by Lauren Collins. Drake looked back at the moment with surprise. He shared,

“She had to be one of my first kisses for sure, damn, I never thought about it like that.”

Drake also reflected on life before his acting career took off.

“I didn’t have a great time in high school. I just didn’t really fit in,” he admitted in the trailer. That changed, he recalled, the moment his mother delivered the life-altering news.

“And one day my mom called me and told me, ‘You got the role,’ and I just grabbed my bag and left.” he shared.

Looking back now, he added:

“Man, what a wild journey that started.”

Lauren Collins reunited with Drake in 2018 and has since grown her family:

Drake’s 2018 video for I’m Upset doubled as a mini Degrassi reunion, and yes, Lauren Collins was present as well. Fans loved seeing her back alongside her former castmates, years after she had cemented her place in Degrassi history as Paige Michalchuk.

As Bustle noted, Lauren Collins had remained busy after leaving the series. She appeared in nostalgic teen titles like Picture This with Ashley Tisdale and Robbie Amell, popped up in Disney Channel’s Life with Derek as Derek’s annoying love interest Kendra, and later starred in Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure.

But Collins never completely said goodbye to Degrassi. She reprised thre role of Paige in Degrassi Goes Hollywood (2009) and again in Degrassi: Next Class (2016).

In 2023, her personal life made headlines when People reported that Lauren Collins and her husband, Jonathan Malen, had welcomed their second baby.

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Whatever It Takes is set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13.

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