7 Fun Facts About Madalen Mills, the Breakout Star of Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Netflix's Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey stars Hollywood heavyweights such as Forest Whitaker, Phylicia Rashad, Keegan-Michael Key, Anika Noni Rose, and Ricky Martin. But one of the film's standout talents is newcomer Madalen Mills, who delivers a charming portrayal of the brave and intelligent Journey Jangle. Although the Alabama native is still very young, she's already had some impressive acting roles. She's also musically inclined and sometimes shares her melodic skills on Instagram. It's safe to say that Mills is on her way toward becoming a major force in the industry, and we can't wait to see how she continues to shine. Keep reading to learn more about the actress!
She Was Born on Dec. 20, 2008
It's pretty fitting that Mills, who is currently 11 years old, was born five days before Christmas.
She Starred in Her School's Production of The Jungle Book in First Grade
Mills has always loved music and performing, but she decided to pursue those passions professionally after starring in her school's staging of The Jungle Book. A first-grader at the time, she was cast in the lead role as Mowgli. "From there, I decided that maybe this is what I want to do," she said in an interview with Shine On Media. She went on to appear in the 2017 national tour of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, as well as School of Rock's Broadway production.
She's an Amazing Singer
You should probably know this by now, but in case you don't: Mills is a great singer who lends her vocals to Jingle Jangle's brilliant soundtrack.
She Plays Bass Guitar
Another one of Mills's musical talents is playing the bass guitar. "Ending my weekend with some good vibes🎶🎵," she captioned an Instagram snap of her posing with the four-string instrument in October. "I hope everyone has a great week!❤️ #music #bassguitar #weekendvibes."
Oh, and She Plays Piano
Mills also knows her way around the piano, as evidenced by her instrumental cover of "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys.
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Jingle Jangle Is Her First Role in a Major Motion Picture
Jingle Jangle is Mills's first major movie role, but it certainly won't be her last. She's already set to star in the upcoming movie The Tiger Rising alongside Queen Latifah and Katharine McPhee.
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STEM Subjects Are Her Favorite to Learn at School
Speaking to Shine On Media, Mills shared how she's similar to her Jingle Jangle character. "We're both adventurous, and she likes all things STEM," she said. "All those subjects are my favorite in school. I love math, especially."