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Degrassi: The Next Generation, Makes The Trek From Toronto To Tinseltown

Jeremy Singer — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:55:09 +0000

Eight seasons running. A cult in Canadian pop culture. Winners of the Gemini, Teen Choice and Directors Guild of Canada Awards.

And now Degrassi: The Next Generation finally boasts its first red-carpet TV movie.

But known as a “show of the people”, the season 8 finale Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood premiere last Wednesday night at Toronto’s Bloor Cinema, allowed tons of lucky special-bracelet-wearing fans bask in Degrassi glory. A free-for-all for snagging autographs and pictures from their favorite cast members, and what’s more- the opportunity to enjoy the movie side-by-side with them too.

And the word got out not only to lucky fans. Among a packed-to-the-brim theatre audience was Camp Rock 2 stars Jordan Francis and Matthew “Mdot” Finley, So You Think You Can Dance Canada winner Nico Archambault, MuchMusic VJ Devon Soltendieck and MTV Live’s Nicole Holness.

Fresh off of an SUV limo, former Degrassi mean-girl star Lauren Collins (Paige), 23, seemed ecstatic by the outcome.

“I’m so used to just walking around in the area, and just grabbing a pita or something,” a smiling Toronto native Collins tells andPOP. “But all of a sudden you’re just showing up in a limo with cameras and fans, it’s bizarre- not really used to it.”

“But I’m so happy everyone came out.”

Collins represents the previous generation of Degrassi members who have left the show to move on in their respected acting careers: Jake Epstein (Craig) is currently the lead in the touring Tony-Award winning musical Spring Awakening, Nina Dobrev (Mia) is set to star in the hyped fall CTV series The Vampire Diaries, Aubrey Graham (Jimmy) is gearing up for his Hip/Hop debut as Drake- signing with Lil’ Wayne’s record label, and Shenae Grimes (Darcy) is shooting her second season of 90210 in Los Angeles.

This time around in Paradise City, old meets the new, as the Degrassi alumnus share the screen with the show’s newest characters. The bunch make the cross-continent trek from Toronto to Tinseltown where they try their fare share at making it big in the industry.

Jason Mewes plays himself as a director, who’s holding auditions for his new movie “Mewesical High”- which causes a stir among the students at school. Paige, who’s been living in Hollywood to become a fashion designer, hasn’t had the best of luck- finding herself rather working as an assistant to a reality star. But when her sudden audition catches the eye of Robbie (Dan Levy), a studio producer, she lands the lead role and invites old friends Marco (Adamo Ruggiero) and Ellie (Stacey Farber) down to come along for the ride.

This also causes Manny (Cassie Steele) to carve out her own journey to L.A. -along with Jay Hogart (Mike Lobel) and Degrassi rock band Stüdz- to claim that lead role which she believes is rightfully hers.

“It was amazing,” says Steele, 19, “you know, hanging with Mike Lobel and all the crew, good times laughing.”

But now what would Degrassi be without a little bit of Drama, eh? Well from Paige letting the celebrity life get to her head, to Ellie running into Craig, a former flame who’s been living out west in Los Angeles, clean from his season six coke addiction- the four-part season 8 finale has a healthy balance of everything on the checklist.

Directed by the series’ very own alumni Stefan Brogren (Snake), the movie was shot both in Toronto and Los Angeles. And it’s obvious that “going Hollywood” requires a few celebrity cameos -which the film delivered, sprinkled throughout the story- including Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy, Mewes and Kevin Smith (Jay and Silent Bob), Vivica A. Fox, and celebrity blogger Perez Hilton.

“Obviously having Kevin and Jason was so exciting,” recalls Collins. “And also Dan levy and then the L.A. people, I can’t pick one, it was just such a fun experience.”

Known to be avid fans of the show, Smith and Mewes made appearances on seasons 4 and 5, and an on-the-carpet Mewes was in high-spirits about the latest experience.

“It was great,” says Mewes, 35, known for playing the drug dealer Jay, in Jay and Silent Bob. “Those guys were great to have called me, and shooting with all of the cast was awesome.”

Degrassi’s latest Queen-Bee Charlotte Arnold (Holly J.), who was featured only in a brief scene, had nothing but praise toward her fellow cast-mates.

“For me this was exciting,” says the 20-year-old former Naturally, Sadie star, “because I had never seen the movie before, and truthfully, I hadn’t even read the script. So this was brand new, and what they did was incredible, so proud of everyone.”

And for Arnold and the rest of the cast, the fall season is just around the corner, which means back to school at Degrassi Community School for the next two months for season 9 filming. A 22-year-old franchise known to just keep on teaching the lessons of life, but the latest advice now: to catch Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood, on CTV on Sunday, August 30 at 8 pm ET.

Shenae Grimes: ‘Sorry … but this is who I am’

andPOP Staff — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 01:47:30 +0000

Looks like Silver isn’t the only 90210 gal who blogs.

Shenae Grimes, who stars as Annie Wilson on the show, recently updated her MySpace blog to defend her image.

“Now, as you all know now probably, I graced my first major magazine cover, only to be called ‘too skinny’ alongside my co-star Jessica Stroup,” she wrote.

“I would like to say once again that neither me or Jessica have issues with our weight or bodies. I happened to be very small built, and ive always been skinny. So I personally think that people need to stop criticizing everyone in the media these days about their issues.

“Im sure you wouldnt like it if someone pointed out all of your flaws and all of your mistakes… but thats what the media does to us.”

It doesn’t end there. TMZ and Perez Hilton have both criticized the 18-year-old’s smoking habit. Both posted pictures of the Canadian actress lighting up while holding a bag full of cigarette packages.

“I cant say that im proud of it, but there are so many people struggling with addiction nowadays,” she continued.

“I started smoking at about 16, and 1 in 5 teenagers smoke.

“Im not going to really go into the issue, but my hope is that you will all just stop hating and get on with it. I smoke. My choice. Im sorry if you dont like it, but this is who I am.”

Shenae Grimes ‘Tormenting’ Set of 90210

andPOP Staff — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:23:00 +0000

Former “Degrassi: The Next Generation” star Shenae Grimes is reportedly becoming a monster on the set of the new 90210 show.

According to Perez Hilton, Grimes believes that she is the only star of the spinoff, snarling, “This is my show – everyone else is riding my coattails.”

When she’s not tormenting the regular cast and crew, she has even insulted an unnamed guest star, asking, “”Who the hell are you?”

While 90210 debuted to great ratings, viewers have dropped off very quickly.

90210 Proves to be Ratings Gold for Fledging Network

andPOP Staff — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:11:18 +0000

For the CW network, a particular area code is good for business.

90210, the CW’s new modernized version of Beverly Hills, 90210, proved to be ratings gold for the network on Tuesday night.

The two-hour premiere averaged nearly 5 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research estimates. The CW said it was its highest-rated scripted show in its three-year history.

90210 was the night’s number 1 show among 18-to-34-year-olds. CW has been a struggling network since its birth in 2005 and hoped 90210 would be their knight in shining armour. Or in this case, it’s a grown up Brenda Walsh and Kelly Martin, both reprised by Beverly Hills, 90210 alum, Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty.

Canadian actress and former Degrassi star, Shenae Grimes, is part of the new 90210 cast. The second episode airs Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST on CW.

Shannen Doherty Feels Protective of Shenae Grimes

andPOP Staff — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 07:56:50 +0000

Shannen Doherty says she feels a kinship with her new co-star, Shenae Grimes of “Degreassi: The Next Generation.” The new friends are currently filming the new 90210 series.

“Maybe it’s because her character is similar to how [my character] started out,” Doherty told USA Today. “It’s also because Shenae is smart and she knows what she’s doing, but at the same time there’s a vulnerability there, and I want to put my arms around her and protect her,” Doherty says.

With her past experience, Doherty is happy to be able to guide Grimes through new-found fame.

“The great thing is that she’s smart enough that she’s not going to make the same mistakes I made. But because I made those mistakes, I can help her along the way.”

‘Degrassi’ Star Moving to ‘90210′

andPOP Staff — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:50:16 +0000

Canadian Shenae Grimes will soon be getting a new postal code. Specifically, “90210.”

According to TV Guide’s Ausiello report, the “Degrassi: The Next Generation” star has just signed on for a role on the new “Beverly Hills, 90210″ spin-off.

The role was originally offered to Hilary Duff.

Ausiello describes Grimes’ character as “Annie Mills, a theater-loving teen who relocates to Beverly Hills from Kansas with her adoptive bro and their parents.”