Lauren Collins

Lauren Felice Collins (born August 29, 1986) is a Canadian actress, best known for portraying Paige Michalchuk on Degrassi: The Next Generation. She has also had supporting roles in the films Take the Lead and Charlie Bartlett (2007). In 2013, she appeared in multiple episodes of the sketch comedy Kroll Show, as well as a recurring guest role in the fourth season of the FX series The Strain (2017).

Early life Collins was born in Thornhill, Ontario, the daughter of Sari (née Bresver) and Stan Collins. Her father was born in London, England. Collins was raised Jewish. She has one brother, and her first cousin once-removed is Spencer Rice, one of the stars of Kenny vs Spenny. She is a graduate of Thornlea Secondary School.

Career Collins first began acting in 1998, with roles in various television series including Once a Thief, Noddy and I Was a Sixth Grade Alien. From 2000 to 2001, she had a recurring role on In a Heartbeat before landing the role of Paige Michalchuk on Degrassi: The Next Generation in 2001. She would stay on Degrassi until her departure in 2008.

She also portrayed Derek's ex-girlfriend Kendra on Life with Derek. She has also appeared in numerous theatrical productions, playing the title roles in Alice in Wonderland and the production of Annie, and starring in the made-for-television film Virtual Mom.

In 2006, Collins made her feature film debut in Take the Lead, appearing alongside Antonio Banderas. The following year she appeared in Charlie Bartlett (starring Anton Yelchin and Robert Downey Jr.). In 2008, she co-starred in the direct-to-DVD feature Picture This, opposite Ashley Tisdale and fellow Degrassi alumnus Shenae Grimes. After YouTube celebrity Shane Dawson expressed his interest in watching the Degrassi series, Collins starred in a parody video released March 6, 2010. She once again worked with Disney Channel and Tisdale on the 2011 High School Musical spin-off feature, Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure, playing the role of Tiffani.

From 2013 to 2014, Collins hosted MTV's 1 Girl 5 Gays replacing Aliya Jasmine Sovani, who had been hosting the show for 4 seasons.

In 2014, she co-wrote and starred in the short film Zero Recognition, directed by Ben Lewis, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Between 2013 and 2014, Collins appeared in four episodes of the sketch comedy series Kroll Show.

Collins reunited with her former Degrassi co-stars, in 2018, for Drake's "I'm Upset" music video.

In 2023, she was cast as a lead, alongside Megan Follows, in a six-part short-form comedy, My Dead Mom. In 2025, Collins appeared in Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein, which was released on October 17, 2025.

Personal life Collins and actor Jonathan Malen married in October 2018. Collins revealed on Instagram that she gave birth to a boy named Charlie Sebastian Malen on March 6, 2020. Their second son, Leo Wilder Malen, was born April 27, 2023.

Filmography Film

Television Year Title Role Notes 1998 Real Kids, Real Adventures Meggie Episode: "Earthquake: The Hayes Stuppy Story" Blood on Her Hands Ruby Collins Television film Once a Thief Cleo at 13 Episode: "Politics of Love" Tempting Fate Ruby Television film Happy Christmas, Miss King Libby Hubble Television film 1998–1999 Noddy Rox 3 episodes 1999 Rocky Marciano Mary Anne Television film I Was a Sixth Grade Alien Lindy May 21 episodes Restless Spirits Rhonda Television film 2000 Virtual Mom Lucy Foster Television film Deliberate Intent Erin Smolla Television film Baby Portia Pinter Television film 2000–2001 In a Heartbeat Brooke Lanier 18 episodes 2001 What Girls Learn Susie Television film 2001–2008 Degrassi: The Next Generation Paige Michalchuk 143 episodes 2003 Blue Murder Shannon Brady Episode: "Necklace" Mutant X Megan Morrison Episode: "One Step Closer" Bury the Lead Sara Chase Episode: "The RASH Troops of Error" 2004 Renegadepress.com Amanda Episode: "Skin Deep" 2005 Totally Spies! Terra / Gazella Voice; 2 episodes Radio Free Roscoe Blaire 2 episodes 2005–2011 Degrassi: Minis Paige Michalchuk 18 episodes 2006 Booky Makes Her Mark Ada-May Television film Angela's Eyes Heather Keene Episode: "Political Eyes" 2006–2009 Life with Derek Kendra 10 episodes 2007 Grossology Naomi Voice; 2 episodes 2007–2009 The Best Years Alicia O'Sullivan 8 episodes 2009 Degrassi Goes Hollywood Paige Michalchuk Television film Willa's Wild Life Sara Voice Episode: "Happy Willa's Dad's Day / Willa's Wild Pony Tale" 2009–2011 Being Erica Young Barbera Strange 3 episodes 2011 She's the Mayor TV Receptionist Episode: "Proclamation" Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure Tiffani Disney Channel Original Movie 2013 Long Story, Short Lucy 8 episodes Murdoch Mysteries: Nightmare on Queen Street Rebecca Miniseries 2013–20141 Girl 5 Gays Herself / Host 27 episodesKroll Show Collette / Mary Belle Edwards 4 episodes 2013–2015 The Day My Butt Went Psycho! Paige the Cheerleader Voice 2016 Slasher EMT Episode: "In the Pride of His Face"Degrassi: Next Class Paige Michalchuck Episode: "#ThrowBackThursday" 2017 Conviction Lucy Bates Episode: "Not Okay" The Strain Sophie 4 episodes 2018 Killer High Carrie Television film The Rick Mercer Report Daughter 1 episode 2018–2019 Impulse Meghan Lingerman 4 episodes 2019 The Hot Zone Rebecca 2 episodes 2021 Sex/Life Mrs. Brenda 2 episodes What We Do in the Shadows Meg Episode: "The Cloak of Duplication" Hudson & Rex Olive Chambers Episode: "Leader of the Pack" Canadian Reflections Cait TV series short Episode: "Serious Lees" 2023 Pretty Hard Cases Yolanda Pesci 2 episodes Slip Rose 2024 My Dead Mom Emmy Web series

Music videos Year Title Director Artist 2018 "I'm Upset" Karena Evans Drake

Awards and nominations