Aly & AJ is a teen pop duo consisting of sisters Alyson Renae “Aly” Michalka and Amanda Joy “AJ” Michalka. They were born in Torrance, California, but spent part of their childhood in Seattle, Washington. They are both actresses, singer-songwriters, and guitarists. The sisters both live in a gated community in Calabasas, California with their parents.
Aly & AJ have had an interest for music since they were very young. “I think it started when we were three and five. Just singing in church together and in school plays,” Aly said. That later moved onto just AJ as Aly started to act very early, when AJ was nine years old. Alyson also had a starring role in Phil of the Future on the Disney Channel alongside Ricky Ullman.
ALY
Alyson began acting at the age of five in stage productions by churches her family attended outside Seattle, Washington, and in Thousand Oaks California. She was featured in numerous musicals including “Jailhouse Rock” and “A Time to Remember.” Alyson, who plays piano and guitar, also writes music and sings with her younger sister Amanda in the pop-music duo Aly & AJ. The sisters are platinum selling recording artists with Hollywood Records. When she isn’t acting, Alyson enjoys drawing. Her artistic talent was recognized by Hallmark Cards. When she was in the fourth grade, she won a contest for a Christmas card in 1999, when she was 10. Lately, Alyson is interested in fashion and sewing, and has plans to design a clothing line. The Torrance, California, native has two dogs, Saint and Bandit, and lives with her parents and sister in Los Angeles, California.
AJ
Amanda began seriously studying acting at the age of 9, landing a lead role in a church musical, “Jailhouse Rock,” then later booked a national commercial on her very first audition. She has been consistently working ever since, appearing on television shows on CBS, FOX, HBO, ABC, WB and NBC. Prior to becoming an actress, Amanda worked as a professional model appearing on magazine covers, store posters and other merchandising ads for National corporations. Amanda is an accomplished musician, singer and published songwriter. She is proficient at both the piano and the guitar. She is currently recording her first CD with her sister Aly (Alyson Michalka). This CD will be a compilation of their original guitar-driven songs, and will soon be released into the mainstream market. Amanda’s hobbies are dance, cooking, horseback riding, mountain biking, reading and hanging out with her 2 dogs and family.
Albums
- 2005: Into the Rush
- 2006: Acoustic Hearts of Winter
- 2007: Insomniatic
- 2008/2009: TBA
- 2005/2006: “Rush“
- 2006: “Chemicals React“
- 2006: “Greatest Time of Year“
- 2007: “Potential Breakup Song“
- 2008: “Like Whoa“
- 2005: “Do You Believe in Magic“
- 2005: “No One“
- 2005: “Walking on Sunshine“
- 2006: “Never Far Behind“
- 2006: “On the Ride“
- 2006: “Shine“
- 2007: “Something More (New Version)“
- 2005: “Do You Believe In Magic” (Now You See It…)
- 2005: “No One” (Ice Princess)
- 2005: “Walking on Sunshine” (Herbie: Fully Loaded)
- 2005: “Rush” (Twitches)
- 2005: “Never Far Behind” (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe)
- 2006: “On the Ride” (Cow Belles)
- 2006: “Greatest Time of Year” (The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause)
- 2007: “Potential Breakup Song” and “Like Whoa” (Super Sweet 16: The Movie)
- 2007: “Do You Believe In Magic” (The Game Plan)