Bridgit Mendler | |
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.jpg) Mendler in May 2013 | |
| Born | Bridgit Claire Mendler (1992-12-18)December 18, 1992 (age 32) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
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| Years active | 2004–present |
| Works | |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1[a] |
| Relatives | Christine Blasey Ford (aunt)[1] |
| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
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Musical artist | |
Bridgit Claire Mendler[4] (born December 18, 1992[5]) is an American entrepreneur and former actress and singer-songwriter. She first became known as achild actress and continued acting into adulthood, which overlapped with a musical career in the 2010s. After enrolling atMIT andHarvard from 2017 to 2024, she co-founded asatellite data startup, which is cited as an example of a successful career reinvention.
Mendler's early acting credits include the filmsAlice Upside Down (2007),The Clique (2008) andLabor Pains (2009). After signing withDisney Channel in 2009, she playedJuliet van Heusen onWizards of Waverly Place (2009–2012) and soon rose to fame for her lead role asTeddy Duncan onGood Luck Charlie (2010–2014). She also starred in theDisney Channel filmLemonade Mouth (2011). She then appeared on theNBCsitcomUndateable (2015–2016), theABC/CMT musical television seriesNashville (2017), and theNetflix comedy seriesMerry Happy Whatever (2019).
Mendler began her music career contributing to thesoundtrack ofLemonade Mouth in 2011, and signed withHollywood Records that same year. Her debut studio album,Hello My Name Is... (2012), peaked at number 30 on theBillboard 200 and spawned the hit platinum and gold certified singles "Ready or Not" and "Hurricane". She then embarked on two concert tours:Live in Concert (2012) andSummer Tour (2013–2014). With the Black Box record label, sheindependently released anextended play,Nemesis (2016), which peaked at number 46 onBillboard'sIndependent Albums chart. She then embarked on theNemesis Tour (2016–2017).
From 2010 to 2012, Mendler served as ambassador to nonprofitFirst Book, which encourages reading, andGive withTarget, to raise funds to reform schools in the United States. She was a student and researcher with the MIT Media Lab from 2017 to 2023. She is also registered as aPhD candidate with MIT's Center for Constructive Communications and Social Machines group. In 2024, she became theCEO and co-founder of thesatellite data startup Northwood Space, and earned a JD from Harvard Law School.
Mendler was born inWashington, D.C., and moved with her family toMill Valley, California, at the age of eight.[6][7] It was there where she first expressed interest in acting and began working in plays.[8] When she was eight years old, Mendler began taking part in local roles in both dramatic and musical theatre, and became the youngest performer in theSan Francisco Fringe Festival.[9] When she was 11 years old, she hired an agent to help her get acting jobs.[10] Mendler is the niece of psychologistChristine Blasey Ford.[1]
In the 2010s, Mendler studied towards a degree inanthropology at theUniversity of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, California.[11] Two members of her band also studied at USC.[12] In an interview with Brian Mansfield ofUSA Today, Mendler said: "My plan right now is just to do one class at a time and see how that goes. I'm just going to study something that will be interesting and doable from the road and just take care of my general education courses for now. I want to know something outside of what I do."[13] In 2013, she chose anthropology[14] and studiedMedieval Visual Culture, and medical anthropology.[15][16] To theUniversity Star, Mendler said USC was important: "I think seeing that college life and what that would've been like, it does make you wonder what sort of lifestyle that would be, but I'm really grateful for what I have, and I think it's cool that, because my career path is not as formulaic, I can kind of decide when I want to take time off to do certain things."[14] Her mother[17] was pursuing a doctorate in public policy at USC at the time.[18] Mendlerdropped out of USC in 2016.[19] In May 2017, Mendler was announced as one of the 2017MIT Media Lab's Director's Fellows.[20]
In May 2018, she announced on Twitter that she started a graduate program at theMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a focus on improving social media: "As an entertainer, for years I struggled with social media because I felt like there was a more loving and human way to connect with fans."[21][22] In 2020, she completed an M.S. in media arts and sciences at MIT.[23] Her master's thesis was titledOurStory: Dispute System Design Technology for Stakeholder Inclusion.[23]Deb Roy was her thesis advisor.[23] She later began working on herPh.D with MIT's Center for Constructive Communications and Social Machines group.[24] During 2022, she was enrolled atHarvard Law School and at MIT.[25] In May 2024, she was awarded aJuris Doctor from Harvard Law.[26][27]
In 2004, Mendler got her first voice acting role in the animatedIndian filmThe Legend of Buddha, in which she portrayed youngBuddha. Mendler got her second voice acting role in 2005 as the voice of the character Thorn in the video gameBone: Out from Boneville, which was based on theBone comic series. When she was 13 years old, she got her first acting role as a guest star on the soap operaGeneral Hospital.[28] She portrayed the dream child of characterLulu Spencer, in which the two have an argument on Mendler's character's birthday.[29] The scene, lasting just under a minute, is later revealed to be a dream.[30] That same year, Mendler voiced the character Thorn in the video gameBone: The Great Cow Race. In 2007, Mendler made her film debut in thefilm adaption of theAlice series, titledAlice Upside Down. Mendler starred alongsideAlyson Stoner andLucas Grabeel.[31] Mendler portrayed the antagonistic role of Pamela,[32] who is the rival of Stoner's character, Alice.[33][34] For the film's soundtrack, Mendler provided backing vocals on the song "Free Spirit", performed by Stoner.[35] Also in 2007 Mendler auditioned forSonny with a Chance for the role of Sonny Munroe, butDemi Lovato was chosen.[36]
In 2008, it was announced that Mendler would play the role of Kristen Gregory in the film adaption of the popular teen novel seriesThe Cliqueby Lisi Harrison. Mendler had the role of Kristen, a girl who attends OCD on a scholarship, and works hard to keep her good grades.[37] She had begun working on a film with actress and singerLindsay Lohan titledLabor Pains, which kept being pushed back due to various conflicts and problems. Though initially slated for a theatrical release, the film did not receive one in the US and was instead released as a TV film onABC Family in 2009. The film did, however, receive a theatrical release in countries such as Russia, Romania, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Ecuador, and Mexico. The film drew 2.1 million viewers, a better-than-average prime-time audience for ABC Family, and per the network, was the week's topcable film among coveted female demographic groups.[38] She had a supporting role in the filmAlvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.[39] In 2009, Mendler became a recurring character in theDisney Channel seriesWizards of Waverly Place. Mendler portrayed the role of Juliet Van Heusen,[40] a vampire who later forms a romance withDavid Henrie's character Justin Russo. This lasted until the series finale.[41] Mendler would go on to appear in eleven episodes total for the series, spanning from 2009 to 2012 when the series ended.[42]
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In 2010, Mendler became the star of the Disney Channel seriesGood Luck Charlie, centering on a teenage girl who makes videos for her baby sister to watch as she gets older.[43] The series premiered on April 4, 2010, and was met with a positive critical reception and viewership.[44] In 2011, she starred as Olivia White, the lead role in theDisney Channel Original MovieLemonade Mouth,[45][46] watched by 5.7 million viewers on its premiere night.[47] In an interview with Kidzworld Media, Mendler confirmed that there will not be a sequel toLemonade Mouth, commenting: "There's not [going to be a sequel toLemonade Mouth] unfortunately. We had such a great experience working on the movie, and they tried to figure something out for a sequel, but everyone at Disney felt like the movie had completed its story in the first movie. It was a great experience, and I loved working with the cast members and still see them frequently."[48] In 2011, Mendler had the supporting role of Appoline in the straight to DVD filmBeverly Hills Chihuahua 2. Also in 2011 Mendler starred in the Disney Channel Original MovieGood Luck Charlie, It's Christmas!, which premiered on December 2, 2011.[49][50] In 2012, she guest-starred in the television seriesHouse as Callie Rogers, a homeless runaway teenager with a mysterious illness.[51] She voiced the lead role of Arrietty in the American English dub ofThe Secret World of Arrietty.[52]
On November 25, 2014, Mendler was announced as a member of the main cast of theNBC comedy seriesUndateable in season two.[53] She portrays the character Candace, an unlucky and undefeatably optimistic waitress, who becomes part of the main group.[54] During the season, Candace and Justin, played byBrent Morin, were dating.[55][56] After initial reports, it was confirmed on July 2, 2015,[57] that Mendler leftHollywood Records earlier in the year.[58][59] In early 2015, NBC renewed with Mendler for a third season that consisted entirely of live episodes, which premiered October 15 of that year.[60] In the season Justin proposes to Candace during aBackstreet Boys show and she accepts.[61] On November 13, 2015, minutes before air time, a decision was made to cancel the then-upcoming live program due to theNovember 2015 Paris attacks.[62] The next week, the live episode references were made about the attack as a tribute.[63] Following the third season, it was announced that NBC had cancelled continuation of the series.[64]
In October 2016, Mendler was cast as Ashley Willerman on the fifth season of the CMT television seriesNashville.[65][66] On February 10, 2017, Mendler was cast in lead role of theFox comedy television pilotThin Ice, created byElizabeth Meriwether,[67][68][69] but the network ultimately passed on the pilot in May.[70] She appeared in theNetflix comedy filmFather of the Year along withDavid Spade,Joey Bragg,Matt Shively andJackie Sandler, which was released July 20, 2018.[71] In November 2019, Mendler appeared in the eight-part Netflix comedy television series,Merry Happy Whatever, along withDennis Quaid,Ashley Tisdale, and herUndateable co-star Brent Morin.[72][73]
Mendler performed numerous songs for the soundtrack ofLemonade Mouth, which was released on April 12, 2011, byWalt Disney Records. The first single released from the soundtrack, titled "Somebody",[74] was released on March 4, and peaked at number 89 on the USBillboard Hot 100 chart.[75][76] The second single, "Determinate", charted in numerous other countries and peaked at number 51 on theBillboard Hot 100.[75] Mendler recorded the song "This Is My Paradise" forBeverly Hills Chihuahua 2, which was released as a promotional single on January 11, 2011,[77] with a music video directed by Alex Zamm.[78] On March 31, 2011, it was confirmed that Mendler had signed with Hollywood Records, and had begun working on her debut album.[79][80] The song "I'm Gonna Run to You" was co-written and performed by Mendler, and was also featured inGood Luck Charlie, It's Christmas! and released as promotional single on November 12, 2011.[81] Mendler later co-wrote and sang theDisney's Friends for Change Games anthem called "We Can Change the World", released as her third promotional single on June 11, 2011.[82] ForThe Secret World of Arrietty, she recorded a song, "Summertime", which was released as a promotional single on February 2, 2012.[83]
In Summer 2012, Mendler confirmed that the title of her official debut single was "Ready or Not", written by Mendler herself,Emanuel "Eman" Kiriakou andEvan "Kidd" Bogart. The song was released for digital download on August 7 and for radio airplay on August 21, 2012.[84] "Ready or Not" peaked at 49 in the United States[85] and 53 in Australia,[86] but at number seven in the United Kingdom and within the top twenty of the charts in Belgium, the Republic of Ireland and New Zealand.[87][88][89][90][91] The song received platinum certification in the United States[92] and Canada[93] and Gold in Denmark,[94] New Zealand[95] and Norway.[96] Mendler ventured on her first headlining tour,Bridgit Mendler: Live in Concert, supporting her first studio album. The tour primarily reached only North America and she played at state fairs, music festivals and Jingle Ball's concerts series.[97] Mendler's debut album,Hello My Name Is..., was released on October 22 by Hollywood Records and all the songs were written by Mendler with collaborators, included 12 tracks in standard version and 15 in deluxe edition.[98] Mendler was also involved in its production.[99] The album peaked at number 30 on theBillboard 200[100] and sold less than 200,000 copies in the country.[101]Hello My Name Is... charted in several countries including Poland, Australia, United Kingdom, France and Spain.[102][103][104][105] Mendler's vocals have been compared toLily Allen,Cher Lloyd,Jessie J andKarmin.[106] She released two promotional singles on the album: "Forgot to Laugh" and "Top of the World".
On February 12, 2013, her second single, "Hurricane", was released for radio airplay.[107] The song peaked at number 1 on theBillboardBubbling Under Hot 100 in the United States. On April 2 Mendler released a remix single version[108] and, on June 21, an EP remixed.[109] Also in June Mendler debuted her second tour, theSummer Tour, reaching only the United States. On April 30 she released theextended playLive in London, byUniversal Music, recorded at a special performance in the United Kingdom.[110][111] On November 16, 2013, was premiered the music video for acoustic version of "Top of the World", directed by Matt Wyatt.[112] She recorded it on her own, independent of Hollywood Records, and filmed inGriffith Park, inLos Angeles.[113] On June 28, 2014, Mendler began the second leg of her Summer Tour, inCharlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.[114] On that date, she sang one of her new songs, "Fly to You",[115] about a relationship that was said to be on the rocks but worth fighting for.[116] On July 5, she performed another new song, "Deeper Shade Of Us", withdisco influences.[117]
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In 2016, Mendler began working on new music.[118][119] Mendler discussed some of the producers and songwriters she was working with, includingMitch Allan,Dan Book, Alexei Misoul, Augie Ray, Beloryze,TMS,Ina Wroldsen, andSteve Mac.[120][121] On August 4, 2016, Mendler announced the title of her new single, "Atlantis", featuring Kaiydo, which was released on August 26, 2016.[122][123] She released a follow-up single "Do You Miss Me at All" on November 4.[124] Both tracks were featured on her EPNemesis, which was released on November 18.[125][126][127] In an interview withMTV News, she said that "I feel like I've poured the most of myself of anything I've done into this project. That's been a very therapeutic process." She also hoped that the EP would give fans a "more well-rounded perspective" on her image post-Disney.[128][129] To support the album, she went on theNemesis Tour from 2016 to 2017.[130] On February 3, 2017, Mendler announced her new single, "Temperamental Love" featuring Devontée.[131] The music video was featured the YouTuber Jam in The Van.[132] On August 25, 2017, Mendler released a single titled "Diving" with American group RKCB.[133] The official music video was released hours after the release of the song.
In 2023, Mendler and her husband founded Northwood Space, a satellite data startup.[134] The venture-backed company, where she serves as CEO, is based inEl Segundo, California, and intends to mass produce satelliteground stations.[135][136] Mendler toldCNBC that the idea for the company was conceived during her stay inNew Hampshire during theCOVID-19 lockdowns.[137][138] She said that "While everybody else wasmaking their sourdough starters, we were building antennas out of random crap we could find atHome Depot. For me, why the ground-side matters is because it actually is about bringing the impacts of space home to people."[138] They launched with $6.3 million in funding from investors including theFounders Fund andAndreessen Horowitz.[139][140][137][141]
In a 2024 article forHero magazine withLemonade Mouth co-starNaomi Scott, Mendler explained her career shift: "I think I started to feel a bit of that disconnect with what I was doing in my day-to-day, in entertainment and started to put out feelers into more of the research domain. Then visiting the MIT media lab, I just felt like it was such fertile territory to explore something about an impact that would go into a different space, and beyond. I palpably remember that point in the transition, because music is always my first love, I love it so deeply, but I remember being atSouth by Southwest and just feeling… Lonely. Finding your artistic community can be so hard."[142]
In 2010, Mendler became ambassador toFirst Book, a service that encourages reading and provides books to children in need.[143] In 2011 it became part ofDisney's Friends for Change, apro-social "green" initiative of charity for environmental issues encouraging fans to take action.[143] As campaign theme that year Mendler released a promotional single on June 11, "We Can Change the World", raising $250,000 for the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.[82] She also participated of theDisney's Friends for Change Games, an Olympic-based televised games aired on theDisney Channel, getting $125,000 donation toUNICEF as Yellow Team captain and also competing for $100,000. But her team lost to theWorld Wide Fund for Nature.[144] In 2012 Mendler won the honorary awardCommon Sense Media asRole Model of the Year for her work against bullying.[145] Mendler was the third young artist to win the award, which usually honors environmentalists and scholars.[146] She also attended the annual UNICEF acoustic concert inNew York to raise donations for charity in January 2013.[147] In July 2012 Mendler became ambassador of the campaignGive With Target with department store chainTarget to raise funds to reform schools in the United States.[148] The campaign aims to get $1 billion by 2015.[149] To start the Target campaign, they invested $5 million and distributed $25,000 grants to 100 in-need schools for the school year.[150] Mendler said about the incentive: "I'm excited to partner with Target on their Give With Target campaign and celebrate the start of a new school year with kids across the country. It's so important for all kids to have everything they need for a successful school year."[150] In August, she got $5 million donated byThe Walt Disney Company and more $2 million donated by people atFacebook.[151]
Mendler was featured in a March 2013 public campaign Delete Digital Drama withSeventeen magazine to endcyberbullying.[152] About the campaign she said "Being bullied is something I experienced in school and it is not fun...I love working to end cyberbullying. People don't have to push back as much as they would in real life. People need to realize bullying has just as much of an impact online because words are so cutting and difficult to deal with".[153][154] She also worked withAcuvue being a mentor to help Katie, a winner of the 2013Acuvue 1-Day Contest, get closer to her dream of making a difference.[155] In October 2013, Mendler hosted the eventWe Day ofFree The Children Foundation, a campaign that helps build schools for underprivileged children in Canada and the United States.[156][157] Also for Free The Children Foundation she was godmother[ambiguous] of We Create a Change to help needy children.[158]
In November 2013, Mendler participated in the World Challenge Marathon forSave the Children Foundation, a charity race to helps children with health problems.[159] In March 2014, Mendler traveled to region ofEl Quiché,Guatemala to participate in the other project of Save the Children that helps underprivileged children in developing countries.[160] On April 8, she released theBaby Sit In, that asks for teens to help give parents a break and give babies a healthy start to their life. Mendler said "It's an easy way for kids to help little ones everywhere get a healthy start and an opportunity to learn just by doing something they do most weekends anyway".[161] Mendler represented the institution during the charity congressSave the Children's annual Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C.[162] Carolyn Miles, the Save the Children's president, thanked Mendler publicly for humanitarian work: "We are thrilled to have Bridgit on board. Her passion for helping children truly came through when she met with families and kids during her visits to the remote communities in the deserts of California and Guatemala's western highlands".[162]
In 2012, Mendler signed with Target to release an exclusive line of clothing inspired by her characterTeddy Duncan ofGood Luck Charlie.[163] TheD-Signed by Teddy Duncan fashion collection includes clothing, accessories, hats, scarves, and souvenirs for girls in range from 4 to 18 years old.[164] In March 2013, a Spring edition was also released.[165] While promoting her debut single "Ready or Not", Mendler signed with The Hunt, amobile app which combines clothes and shows fashion tendencies.[166] She released exclusively her music video and registered some personal clothes and fashion searches.[166] She also had her own version in the games FanFUN[167] FANfinity.[168] While promoting her debut albumHello My Name Is..., Mendler offered exclusive album promotions through Target.[169] In 2014, she signed with the line ofdermatology productsClean & Clear and recorded several commercials and campaigns for real beauty.[170]
Mendler has citedBob Dylan as her biggest musical influence.[171] To Ed Condran ofHartford Courant she said that: "You look at what Bob Dylan and artists like him have done and you just can't help but be blown away. I'm just glad I have the opportunity to start with this and I just want to take it as far as I can".[172] In an interview withDisney Channel Netherlands, she revealed that her favorite song was "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" from Dylan's 1963 albumThe Freewheelin' Bob Dylan.[173] To Taylor Trudon ofHuffington Post she said: "He was the first musician I got into where I paid attention to songwriting. He has a way of writing songs that's really playful with lyrics, but at the same time he's saying something that people feel is important and that they relate to. He spoke for a whole generation.".[171] Also to Trudon, Mendler citedEtta James,Elvis Presley,B. B. King,Ella Fitzgerald andBillie Holiday, and talked about these artists: "I love that they have soul in their voices. I think that's something important".[171] Other musical influences includeElvis Costello,[174]The Delfonics,[175]Red Hot Chili Peppers[176] andVan Morrison.[177] During an interview withYahoo!, in 2012, Mendler also commented that her first female influence was theHip hop girl groupSalt-N-Pepa and sang an impromptu a cappella rendition of the song "Shoop".[178]
She saidhip hop trioFugees had great influence in her music training and also the recording of the debut album and song "Ready or Not", "One of the writers was like 'Check out this Fugees song, 'Ready or Not'. So we all listened to it and were like that would be kind of fun to do some sort of interpolation off of that song, which is what we did. I think it stands by itself as its own song but it still has that memorable quality of the Fugees song, which is fun. I think we were all really proud of it and hoping it will go far".[179] For her debut album,Hello My Name Is..., Mendler was inspired byindie pop singersIngrid Michaelson andFeist.[180] Among thepop music artists, she citedMaroon 5,[181]No Doubt,Destiny's Child,[177]Justin Timberlake,[182]Mariah Carey,Beyoncé andBruno Mars.[171] She citedJamie Foxx as a great model of how to have a career in acting and music.[171]
Mendler says that she is influenced by Britishneo-soul music, and listedEllie Goulding,Florence and the Machine,Marina Diamandis,Lily Allen, andLianne La Havas as her biggest British influences.[18] She has also mentionedNatasha Bedingfield,[177]Broken Bells,Mark Ronson andAmy Winehouse.[174] In 2013, Mendler revealed to have a big admiration for theAdele's musical style. ToDisney Channel UK she said that "admire the career of Adele, because she has her own musical style. She does things her way and writes about things she is passionate about. It is really working out well for her".[174] She was also influenced by Canadian artists Feist andTegan and Sara.[181][183] ToHartford Courant, she commented: "I've been a fan of Tegan and Sara's for awhile. They just do what they want to do. They don't follow trends".[172] She covered the song "I Was a Fool" by the duo and released with the message: "I heard this song by Tegan and Sara a couple weeks ago and couldn't stop singing it, so I just had to do my own version".[184] In 2014, she mentioned in an interview toCKQK-FM Canadian artistsNelly Furtado,Joni Mitchell and European bandsColdplay andLittle Dragon as influences in composing her second album.[185]
In acting career, Mendler has cited some influences as Jamie Foxx,Natalie Portman andRachel McAdams. About McAdams she said that "She plays a variety of roles, she has a lot of charisma, and she doesn't try to live her life in the public eye".[186] She also admires the dedication ofChristian Bale: "I could not live my life as committed to the craft as he does, with body transformations and such, he goes to such extremes but he is very admirable".[186] Mendler also mentioned Lindsay Lohan as a great actress.[187]
I think the fear when writing a song always that the outside world won't think it's as awesome as you do. That's the scary part about progressing through releasing the song, and also the fun part in sharing it with other people. Sharing that experience with all of these people, it goes from being something that's very much for me and for the other writers who wrote with me, into being something that's for everybody else. That's what performing is. You're giving it to everyone else. I think that that's really cool, it's also super trippy, because you'd never think this thing that you created in a small room with four other people would be something you'd get to share with so many people".
Thematically, Guilherme Tintel ofPortal It Pop has noted that Mendler was not immature as the first work of other Hollywood Records artists.[188] Tintel compares her songs to Jessie J,Katy Perry,Natalia Kills andTaylor Swift.[188] Mendler said that the writing process isn't hard, because she was influenced by her own experiences.[179] Her debut single, "Ready or Not", talks about self-confidence and deal with boys.[179] To Pop Dirt Mendler said: "I consider myself to be that girl sitting at the curb waiting for the world, so I think it's a great message to send to just go for the things that you want to take charge of".[179] Her debut album discussed relationships ("Rocks at My Window", "Top of the World", "Love Will Tell Us Where to Go", "The Fall Song" and "Hold On for Dear Love"), break-up ("5:15"), alienation and romantic chaos ("Hurricane" and "Forgot to Laugh"), self-confidence ("Ready or Not"), self-esteem ("City Lights"), friendship ("We're Dancing"), and blonde girls ("Blonde").[188]
ToHartford Courant, she commented that writing is a compulsion. "It's also something I really enjoy. I like to create. It's part of being a recording artist. I love to write songs".[172] Mendler also said she didn't want to make commercial songs, but timeless songs. "I want to make music that stands the test of time. You look at what Bob Dylan and artists like him have done and you just can't help but be blown away. I'm just glad I have the opportunity to start with this and I just want to take it as far as I can. I wanted variety and to just make things really interesting. This isn't just something that comes out of a machine. It came out of me. This isn't about product. I want to grow as an artist. I remember listening to certain recording artists and songs that had a really big impact on me".[172]
Mendler is amezzo-soprano.[189] She playsguitar,[190]keyboard,[191] andkeytar.[192] Sávio Alves of Febre Teen Magazine said that Mendler's voice was "strong and sweet". He calls Mendler's voice as having a "metallic tone" and this being "rare in young female singers".[189] Her voice was compared to indie andblues artists.[193] Her music is generally pop[194] andreggae fusion[195][106] and has features of R&B,[196][194][106]funk,[197] andhip hop soul.[176] In an interview, she said she prefers to escape the traditional pop anddance-pop and adding other elements. "I have funky, R&B tendencies when I write by myself. I really lovedoo-wop and ajazzy swing beat. Rhythm is a big emphasis in my own writing".[180] Her voice and style has been compared to Cher Lloyd and Lily Allen.[106] Her vocals were compared toMiley Cyrus, who also started on the Disney Channel, but in a 2009 interview toChristian Post Mendler said: "I'm not Miley Cyrus. There may be some similarities but I'm my own person."[198] In 2013, during an interview with theHuffington Post, Mendler was compared to other young artists and asked if she would follow the footsteps in pop music. Mendler said that "They've done so much and they're so talented. I think it's tricky because they've been obviously very successful, but I think you always want to be your own person and not be categorized by doing the same thing".[171]
Mendler was included onBillboard's "21 Under 21: Music's Hottest Minors" list in 2012.[199] In 2013, she also appeared in the list of thirteen.[200] She was also chosen as one of the ten hottest young female artists byForbes Woman.[201] In 2012, Mendler was chosen as role model of the year by Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization that honors innovative minds from the worlds of entertainment, public policy and technology and rewards mainly teachers, scientists and philanthropists.[146] She was honored for her charity work in anti-bullying actions, improving the lives of families by providing a trustworthy role model and creating a positive impact in the world.[145] Mendler was the second youngest artist to win the award, afterMiranda Cosgrove.[202]
Mendler's acting performances have been praised by critics. She was called "likeable and amazing" inLemonade Mouth (2011) by Khalid McCalla ofThe Oberlin Review.[203] Carolina Malis of theSouth China Morning Post believed the role "truly showcased her versatility, blending acting with singing and setting the stage for a career that would soon blossom beyond the boundaries ofteen stardom."[204] Cami Seymore ofThe Post agreed thatLemonade Mouth brought attention to her acting and musical abilities.[205] In a review ofGood Luck Charlie, It's Christmas! (2012), Kihoon Lee ofThe Cardinal Times called Mendler "talented", "loveable and sweet".[206] James Knight ofClassicalite opined thatUndateable (2015–2016) "only showed up on the radar" because of Mendler's casting and performance.[207]David Bloom ofDeadline agreed and deemed Mendler a "powerhouse".[208] Daniel Fienberg ofThe Hollywood Reporter noted Mendler's chemistry withUndateable co-starBrent Morin, which he believed was utilized well inMerry Happy Whatever (2019),[209] Mendler's last screen performance. In his review of the latter series, Brett White ofDecider called her and the cast a "real gift".[210]
Mendler's music has received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. Her debut albumHello My Name Is... was compared to the works ofCarly Rae Jepsen andDemi Lovato bySeventeen.[211] Tim Sendra ofAllMusic defined Mendler's voice as "idiosyncratic" while reviewingHello My Name Is... and called it "an impressive debut from a singer who shows real talent and has every chance to break out of the Disney mold and do something all her own down the road." Sendra also praised Mendler's "songwriting chops".[212] Sherman Yang ofMSN deemed the tracks ofHello My Name Is... "catchy" but felt "Mendler either needs to find some inspiration to write better songs or cover other artists' works because her songs sound the same after a while."[213] Her second extended playNemesis was reviewed positively by Ailbhe Malone ofThe Irish Times, who believed Mendler was "back and trendy," and described it as "delicate and interesting but still vibey. Welcome to grown-up pop, Bridge – we're happy to have you."[214] Andrea Domanick ofVice agreed, believing that withNemesis, Mendler "heeds honesty over any kind of carefully crafted post-Disney identity."[215]
Mender's shift to business and entrepreneurship has been cited as one of the few examples of a successful career reinvention.[216][217][218] Sarah Bregel ofBBC wrote: "as a woman in science who changed career paths to pursue her dream, Mendler may likely inspire other women to make timely career pivots."[219] Katie Louise Smith ofCapital praised Mendler's "incredible career path",[220] and Lynette Rice ofDeadline said Mendler had "quite the career trajectory for a formerMouse House darling".[221]
From May 2011 to November 2015, Mendler dated long time friend and former co-starShane Harper.[222][223][224][225][226] In October 2019, Mendler announced viaInstagram that she had married Griffin Cleverly.[227] In February 2024, Mendler announced that she became the mother of a 4-year-old boy, whom she had begun fostering in 2021 and adopted around Christmas 2022.[228]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | The Legend of Buddha | YoungSiddhartha | Voice role |
| 2007 | Alice Upside Down | Pamela Jones | |
| 2008 | The Clique | Kristen Gregory | |
| 2009 | Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel | Becca Kingston | |
| Labor Pains | Emma Clayhill | ||
| 2011 | Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 | Appoline | Direct-to-video; voice role |
| 2012 | The Secret World of Arrietty | Arrietty | Voice role |
| 2014 | Muppets Most Wanted | Wedding Guest | Deleted scene |
| Lennon or McCartney | Herself | ||
| 2018 | Father of the Year | Meredith |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | General Hospital | Lulu's dream daughter | 1 episode |
| 2009 | Jonas | Penny | Episode: "Wrong Song" |
| 2009–2012 | Wizards of Waverly Place | Juliet Van Heusen | Recurring role |
| 2010–2014 | Good Luck Charlie | Teddy Duncan | Lead role |
| 2011 | Lemonade Mouth | Olivia White | Television film |
| Disney's Friends for Change Games | Herself | 5 episodes | |
| So Random! | Herself | Episode: "Bridgit Mendler,Adam Hicks andHayley Kiyoko" | |
| PrankStars | Herself | Episode: "Secret Agent" | |
| Extreme Makeover: Home Edition | Herself | Episode: "The Walker Family" | |
| Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas! | Teddy Duncan | Television film | |
| 2012 | House | Callie Rogers | Episode: "Runaways" |
| Austin Mahone Takeover | Herself | Episode: "Jingle Ball withSean Kingston &Enrique Iglesias" | |
| 2013 | Violetta | Herself | Episode: "A Celebrity, a Song" |
| We Day | Herself | Television special | |
| Jessie | Teddy Duncan | Episode: "Good Luck Jessie: NYC Christmas" | |
| 2015–2016 | Undateable | Candace | Main role |
| 2017 | Nashville | Ashley Willerman | Recurring role |
| 2019 | Merry Happy Whatever | Emmy Quinn | Main role |
In the statement, which was posted to Twitter by Bridgit Mendler, who identified herself as Ford's niece, the family asks that Ford's decision to come forward "be treated seriously and respectfully" and that her and her family's privacy be respected as her allegations are investigated. Mendler is an American actress and singer, and starred on a Disney Channel show
Mendler is listed under 'Our Clients', where a list of artists signed to their label are listed
Guest starring: Bridgit Claire Mendler as Juliet Van Heusen
Expected Release: Nov 18, 2016
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