Alyson Renae Michalka (born March 25, 1989), often credited as Aly, is an American actress, singer-songwriter, guitarist, and pianist. She is perhaps best known for her roles as Charlotte Barnes in the feature film Bandslam, Keely Teslow in the Disney Channel Original Series, Phil of the Future and as Taylor Callum in the Disney Channel Original Movie Cow Belles. She is also known as one-half of the musical duo 78violet (formerly Aly & AJ) with her sister Amanda Michalka.

Personal life

Michalka was born in Torrance, California and grew up in Seattle, Washington and Southern California with her sister Amanda Michalka. Her mother, Carrie, is a musician and performed with JC Band, a Christian band.www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-15872042_ITM Michalka has been playing the piano since she was five and started playing the guitar at the age of thirteen. She started acting when she was five years old, mostly in church play productions. She was raised as a Christian and continues to practice the faith.Aly & AJ, 11/05 - Interviews - Christian Music TodayGrounded in Faith - Today's Christian She does not believe in evolution.Tweenage Riot Article on Blender :: The Ultimate Guide to Music and More

Career

Michalka's acting debut came when she was cast in the role of Keely Teslow on the Disney Channel Original Series, Phil of the Future. She has also starred in the Disney Channel Original Movies Now You See It..., in which she plays Allyson Miller, an ambitious television producer, and Cow Belles, in which she appears opposite her sister. She announced via her MySpace that she had booked a leading role in the Walden Media film Bandslam, about a group of misfits who form a rock band. She co-starred with Vanessa Hudgens and the movie was released in August, 2009. Her sister Amanda is featured in the upcoming Peter Jackson film The Lovely Bones, which is set to be released in December, 2009.Aly & AJ Writing New Songs, Plot Films. Billboard. January 10, 2008.