Lauren Collins

Lauren Collins is a Canadian actress and writer whose career encompasses television, film, and stage. Collins is best known for her role as Paige Michalchuk on the Canadian series "Degrassi: The Next Generation." She began her acting career with small parts in television productions and went on to secure recurring roles in Canadian TV series, including Linda May in "I Was a Sixth Grade Alien" and Brooke Lanier in "In a Heartbeat." Collins joined the cast of "Degrassi: The Next Generation," a modern spin-off of Degrassi Junior High, and appeared in more than 130 episodes as Paige Michalchuk.

Her portrayal of Paige Michalchuk marked a significant moment in Canadian television, as the character became the first bisexual character on the series, contributing to the representation of LGBTQ+ storylines. Collins has also appeared in theatrical productions, playing title roles in "Alice in Wonderland" and "Annie," and starred in the made-for-television film "Virtual Mom." She made her feature film debut in "Take the Lead" and later appeared in "Charlie Bartlett."

After her time on "Degrassi: The Next Generation," Collins expanded her work across various platforms. She appeared in the Disney Channel feature "Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure" as Tiffani, hosted MTV's "1 Girl 5 Gays," and co-wrote and starred in the short film "Zero Recognition," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Collins has also appeared in the sketch comedy "Kroll Show" and had a recurring guest role in the FX series "The Strain."

Collins reunited with former "Degrassi" co-stars for Drake's "I'm Upset" music video and starred alongside Megan Follows in the six-part short-form comedy "My Dead Mom." She is also known for her work in "Frankenstein" and "What We Do in the Shadows," including an appearance in Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein." From her breakout role in Canadian teen drama to her ongoing work in film, television, and comedy, Collins maintains a consistent presence in the entertainment industry.