Arielle Kebbel: Read About the Life and Career of the Early '00s Sweetheart Turned Hallmark Star

When you see Arielle Kebbel, there's a pretty good chance you're transported back to the early 2000s. Perhaps you remember her as Lindsay from Gilmore Girls, the role that launched her career.

Or maybe, you recognize her as the sinister Cecelia from Aquamarine (2006), seeking out hunky lifeguard Raymond all for herself. Perhaps it's John Tucker Must Die (2006) that's standing out in your mind. Regardless, this early 2000s it-girl hasn't slowed down since those early days as a young starlet. Here, read about Arielle Kebbel and what she's been up to since her young adult fame.

Arielle Kebbel early life

Born in Orlando, Florida, Kebbel grew up performing in different ways: track, volleyball, cheerleading and the dance team took up her time as a young girl, and at 14, she opted for a new outlet for performing — in front of the camera.

It was for Creed's "Can You Take Me Higher" music video, in which she landed a part as an extra, that set her on the path for her career. "I loved everything about being on set that day, and spent most of the day admiring the lead girls in the video," she recalled to Bedford & New Canaan Magazine. "I called them ‘sparkle girls’ because we watched the hair and makeup team doll them up and I thought they were so untouchable with the amount of attention they were getting."

At the end of the day, she approached the director to thank her and express her admiration when she was asked to come back the next day, only to find she had been bumped and was now a "sparkle girl" herself.

As she got older, she began taking acting classes and eventually made the jump to a performing arts high school. By the age of 17, she was off to Los Angeles to make a name for herself.

'Gilmore Girls' and beyond

Kebbel hit it big right off the bat with a recurring role as Lindsay in Gilmore Girls. "…One day I’m sitting in the Coffee Bean on Sunset Boulevard and talking on the phone with my mom, and these girls tap me and exclaim, ‘Oh my God! Are you Arielle Kebbel?!? You play Lindsay in Gilmore Girls!!’," she recalled to Bedford & New Canaan Magazine.

"I was pretty excited to be recognized for the first time, but they quickly followed with ‘We hate you!’…And I knew I was doing a good job as hate was just what the part called for! And I loved my first taste of fame!"

From there, Kebbel's resume grew, including parts in shows and films like Aquamarine (2006), John Tucker Must Die (2006), The Grudge 2 (2006), and later, 90210, The Vampire Diaries, Midnight, Texas, Ballers and 9-1-1. Additionally, Kebbel has found a place for herself on none other than the Hallmark Channel.

Arielle Kebbel on Hallmark

The 39-year-old actress got her start on Hallmark over a decade ago in A Bride for Christmas (2012) when she starred opposite Hallmark royalty Andrew Walker as a woman who has endured multiple failed engagements.

Since then, she's starred in Bridal Wave (2014), A Brush With Love (2019) and most recently, Love in the Great Smoky Mountains: A National Park Romance (2023).

“I love Hallmark movies," she told TV Goodness in 2015. "They make me smile. I hope they make other people smile too. I’m honored to be asked. The goal is to keep learning and doing them and if people are smiling watching them, I’m happy.”