Part 3 - Cast Now and Then of Freaky Friday

Following Part 2, reading up on Jamie, Lindsay, Chad, and Mark actually calms and inspires me a lot. It makes me realise that we all experience similar paths in life, and we don’t have to constantly seek to be at our peak. There’s nothing wrong with staying mediocre, as long as we’re happy and do no harm to others.

I wish my dad could understand this. Don’t get me wrong—he was very successful during his working days, especially given his unprivileged background. But today, seeing him linger in the past is a reminder to my future self: in the end, we will grow old and slow down in life. Past success will remain only as memory.

So at this point in life, do past glories really matter? Or does being happy in the present matter more?

Continue on to the teenage group and see how they’re doing now!

Lindsay Lohan, Problematic Teen Queen To Recovery of Pride

Ah… Lindsay, so much to say 😌

In 2003, she wasn’t just cute with her freckles and red hair—she was effortlessly charming. That kind of charm you can’t manufacture. As Anna Coleman, she was angry, dramatic, emotional, rebellious… but not annoying. She showed so much maturity in the movie, something she had already proven in The Parent Trap. Yes, she even played twins with completely different personalities in that film.

Then life slowly started to crumble after the fame that came from Freaky Friday (2003) and Mean Girls (2007). Yeah, talking about those 2000s chick movies—they’ve gained cult status nowadays.

She was so young, and her parents were not very protective of her at all, as they were struggling with their marriage as well. Then she was plagued by tabloids about her problematic personal life. Her infamous shots with Britney and Paris further dragged her image down. With her crazy party days and lavish lifestyle, money couldn’t sustain her way of living for long.

Then came her “epic” moment in her career — Playboy magazine, where she channeled her image into Marilyn Monroe. Well… it’s 18SX for my blog here. 😅

Watching her return in Freakier Friday felt… emotional 🥹
Not in a dramatic way. Just quietly satisfying.

She looks healthier and She has become a mother herself. Calmer. More grounded. She’s not chasing her old peak — she’s building something new. And honestly, that feels more inspiring than any “full comeback” headline.

She didn’t rewind her life.
She continued it.

Chad Michael Murray The Golden Heartthrob

I didn’t really notice him until his debut in Gilmore Girls. Oh yeah—one of my favourite shows ever! He was such a douch in the show, with that rich bad boy kind of vibe. Rory (played by Alexis Bledel) encountered so many heartthrob love interests, such as Dean (Jared Padalecki), Jess (Milo Ventimiglia), and of course Tristan (Chad Michael Murray).

Looking at his pictures, you tell me—don’t you feel totally attracted by his boyish charm?

Then he went on to work on One Tree Hill, and that’s where his famous basketball scene came from! He needed two basketballs to hold his b*lls. Yeah… like Lindsay, he did a bit of 18SX work back then too, but with far less profanity compared to her. Let’s not pretend 😆

In 2003, this guy was printed straight out of a teenage fantasy magazine with One Tree Hill and Freaky Friday. Especially in Freaky Friday, that hair. That smile. That gentle boyfriend energy. Jake wasn’t toxic. He wasn’t possessive. He listened. He supported Anna’s music. He didn’t feel threatened by strong women.

At the time, he was everywhere. One Tree Hill, A Cinderella Story, teen awards, posters on bedroom walls. Then suddenly… he wasn’t everywhere anymore. When he returns for Freakier Friday, gosh, he was still looking great with much mature vibes. Hope he will return more to the screen

Some people age like wine. Some age like expired milk. Chad clearly chose the wine route 🍷

Cute Lil Bro Ryan Malgarini All Grows Up

And then there’s Ryan Malgarini — the kid we all remember as Harry Coleman, the annoying little brother with endless energy.

Back in 2003, he felt like pure chaos 😂 Loud, mischievous, always in the way. The kind of kid character you don’t think much about because he’s just… there. Comic relief. Noise. Someone for the adults to yell at.

But looking back now, he actually played that role perfectly.

Ryan Malgarini was everywhere in the early 2000s. Freaky Friday, Malcolm in the Middle, Gilmore Girls, Bones. He was that child actor you recognised instantly, even if you didn’t know his name.

But transitioning to adulthood, he started to fade behind the scene to be an acting coach. I thought he was not gonna make it to Freakier Friday 2025. But boys, I was wrong. Though just a short scene, it created so much nostalgia. Please give him more roles in the future.

Ipoh Boy Journey To The World

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