See the 'Aquamarine' Cast Then and Now!

If you're anything like us, summer can't start without an annual viewing of Aquamarine (2006), the iconic early 2000s movie with a star-studded cast about two best friends, Claire (Emma Roberts) and Hailey (JoJo), who discover a mermaid, Aquamarine (Sara Paxton), has washed up in their local pool.

The blonde beauty with a tail reveals that her father has forced her into an arranged marriage, and her only way out of it is to prove true love exists. She sets her sights on local lifeguard Raymond (Jake McDorman), and the girls embark on a journey of bringing the two together.

As the rule goes, anyone who helps a mermaid is granted a wish, and the girls think this could be the key to preventing Hailey's big move to Australia for her mom's new job. However, as the film progresses and Aqua and Raymond fail to fall in love, her father comes to see that the love of her new friends proves it really exists.

This movie is full of moments that are imprinted on our brains, from Aquamarine's makeshift t-shirt dress that still amazes us to this day, to the starfish earrings that would whisper compliments in her ears, to the moment in which she dumps the contents of a salt shaker into her water on a date with Raymond.

Here, take a look at what the Aquamarine cast has been up to since its 2006 release!

Aquamarine cast, then and now

Emma Roberts as Claire

Emma Roberts played Claire, the scared-of-water young girl desperate to keep her friend from moving to Australia. When she discovers Aquamarine, her world gets flipped upside down. For the film's soundtrack, she recorded a rendition of Weezer's "Island in the Sun." She also won a Young Artist Award for Best Supporting Young Actress in a Feature Film for her part.

During this time, Roberts was known for her role in the Nickelodeon sitcom, Unfabulous. After Aquamarine, you could find Roberts in the title role of Nancy Drew (2007), as well as in films like Wild Child (2008) and Hotel for Dogs (2009).

With the turn of the decade, Roberts started taking on more adult roles such as Valentine's Day (2010), It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010), The Art of Getting By (2011), We're the Millers (2013) and more.

She additionally became known for her work on the small screen, most notably in series like Scream Queens and American Horror Story. In 2017, the actress founded Belletrist, a book club that has since resulted in the genesis of Belletrist Productions,"a television and film production company focused on, but not limited to, literary adaptations," as stated on their site.

Some of her most recent roles have been in Madame Web (2024), Maybe I Do (2023), About Fate (2022) and Holidate (2020).

JoJo as Hailey

After JoJo acted as Hailey in Aquamarine, she took on her next significant film role in RV alongside Robin Williams, playing his daughter. However, prior to these two acting roles, she was already a well-established singer.

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She's continued acting here and there over the years, but after Aquamarine, her music career really took center stage, releasing her second album, The High Road, after the film.

In present day, JoJo continues making music, her last album being 2021's Trying Not to Think About It. In 2021, the multi-talented star appeared on The Masked Singer and in 2023, she made her debut in Broadway's Moulin Rouge! as Satine.

Sara Paxton as Aquamarine

Before Aquamarine, Paxton had already began making a name for herself on the screen with roles in movies like Sleepover (2004) and numerous appearances on series like Will & Grace, Malcom in the Middle and CSI: Miami.

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After her role as the quirky sea-creature, Sara Paxton went on to act in movies like Return to Halloweentown (2006) Sydney White (2007) and numerous shows throughout the 2010s like How to Get Away With Murder, This Is Us, Twin Peaks, Good Girls and more.

She recently had a role in the 2022 Marilyn Monroe biopic, Blonde.

Jake McDorman as Raymond

Jake McDorman played the hunky and sweet Raymond in Aquamarine, the sandy blonde lifeguard Claire and Hailey had spent their days crushing on. After hanging up the swim trunks, McDorman continued to act on the big and small screen.

He could be seen in films like Bring It On: All or Northing (2006) and Live Free or Die Hard (2007), as well as in appearances on shows like House and CSI: Miami before taking on a starring role in the series Greek from 2007 to 2011.

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Later, he found success in series such as Shameless and Limitless, while also acting in major blockbusters such as American Sniper (2014) and Lady Bird (2017).

Most recently, you can find him in Class of '09 and Mrs. Davis.

Arielle Kebbel as Cecelia Banks in the Aquamarine cast

Arielle Kebbel has a familiar face, for throughout the early 2000s, you could be sure to spot her in some sort of "mean girl" role. Aquamarine was no different, as Kebbel played Cecelia, who wanted Raymond for herself.

Roles after Aquamarine included those in films such as John Tucker Must Die (2006), The Grudge 2 (2006) and Forever Strong (2008).

In recent years, you could find her in various romantic leads across the Hallmark Channel in films like Bridal Wave (2015), A Brush With Love (2019) and Love in the Great Smoky Mountains: A National Park Romance (2023).

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Arielle Kebbel has also made recent appearances in the After film series and on shows like 9-1-1, Ballers, Midnight, Texas and The Vampire Diaries.

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