Zoey 101

Background:

“I would like to be like Britney, but maybe better, but I don't wanna outshine her.” Jamie Lynn Spears

Jamie Lynn Spears managed to escape the shadow cast by her older sister, pop phenomenon Britney Spears, and has experienced success on the Nickelodeon TV series “Zoey 101” (2005-2008). As Zoey Brooks, she took home two Kids' Choice Awards and shared two Young Artists Awards. She also earned a 2005 Teen Choice nomination. Prior to the successful comedy series, she spent two seasons on the Nickelodeon series “All That” (2002-2004) and netted a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice and a Young Artist nomination for her work on the program. Spears had her first taste in front of the movie camera in Britney's unsuccessful vehicle “Crossroads” (2002).

Spears mentions Hilary Duff, Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, Will Smith and Lindsay Lohan as her favorite actors. She has a daughter named Maddie Briann Aldridge, who was born in 2008.

J Lynn

Childhood and Family:

Jamie Lynn Marie Spears, known by family and close friends as J Lynn, was born on April 4, 1991, in McComb, Mississippi. She is the third and last child of James Parnell Spears, a contractor, and Lynne Irene Bridges, who was a teacher. Her parents later divorced. Jamie grew up in Kentwood, Louisiana, with her brother Bryan (actor, born on April 19, 1977) and sister Britney (singer/actress, born on December 2, 1981). When she was only a few months old, she moved to New York City with her mom and Britney so her sister could purse show business. They later returned to Kentwood. Jamie studied at Parklane Academy, a private school in McComb, Mississippi, and was a cheerleader there.

Jamie has a daughter named Maddie Briann Aldridge, who was born on June 19, 2008 (father is Casey Aldridge).

All That

Career:

Jamie Lynn Spears first appeared on screen in the concert movie “Totally Britney Live.” She again appeared with Britney in a Pepsi television commercial in 2002 and in Britney's feature film debut, “Crossroads” (also 2002), where she played the younger version of the main character, Lucy. 2002 also saw Spears join the cast of the Nickelodeon sketch comedy show “All That.” For her work on the show, Spears was nominated for a 2004 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice award for Favorite Television Actress and jointly earned a 2005 Young Artist nomination for Outstanding Young Performers in a TV Series. She also made guest appearances on the ABC reality series “Switched!” (2003-2004) and the entertainment tabloid show “Real Access” (2004), in addition to several Nickelodeon-related specials.

After leaving “All That,” Spears received a huge breakthrough when she was cast in the starring role of Zoey Brooks in the Savage Steve Holland-directed comedy series “Zoey 101” (Nickelodeon, 2005-2008). Very popular among young audiences, the show became the third most-watched program on the network and received an Emmy nomination in 2005 for Outstanding Children's Program. Also in 2005, Spears nabbed a Teen Choice nomination in the category of Best Breakout Performance (Female). She went on to pick up two Kids' Choice awards for Favorite Female TV Star and Favorite TV Female Actress (both 2006) and two Young Artists for Best Young Ensemble Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama, 2006 and 2007),which she shared with costars Sean Flynn, Paul Butcher and Kristin Herrera, among others. The show also spawned a one hour special called “Zoey 101: Spring Break-Up” (2006). Jamie also sang the theme song for “Zoey 101” called “Follow Me,” which was written by her sister Britney.

Awards:

• Young Artist: Best Young Ensemble Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama), “Zoey 101,” 2007

• Young Artist: Best Young Ensemble Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama), “Zoey 101,” 2006

• Kids' Choice: Blimp Award - Favorite Female TV Star, “Zoey 101,” 2006

• Kids' Choice: Blimp Award - Favorite TV Female Actress, “Zoey 101,” 2006

• Young Hollywood: One to Watch - Female, 2005