Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
With big projects likeAnt-ManandTransparentalready under her belt, the 15-year-old’s first lead role will be in the 2023film adaptationofJudy Blume’s infamous 1970 novelAre You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
The news of the long-awaited movie was released in February 2021, and Fortson was thrilled about the role, which stars oppositeRachel McAdamsas her mom, Barbara Simon, andKathy Batesas grandmother Sylvia Simon.
“So honored and excited to bring Margaret to life with such an amazing team,” Fortsonwrote on Instagramwhen she was announced as the star of the adaptation.
She has famous parents
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Fortson was born in Burbank, California, on March 14, 2008, to parents Christie Lynn Smith and John Fortson. Smith is an actress known for her many guest-starring roles in hit shows likeBones,Malcolm in the Middle,General Hospitaland more.
Meanwhile, Fortson’s dad is an award-winning writer, director and actor. In fact, his directorial debut, the 2016 filmRated, stars him, his wife, his son and his daughter!
Her brother is her bestie
Fortson is an older sister to brother Joshua Taylor Fortson, who was born on Dec. 22, 2012.
Her acting career started at 5 years old
Ant-Man.Zade Rosenthal/Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios/Kobal/Shutterstock
“Meeting new people and reading scripts — that’s my favorite part of acting,” she toldEntertainment Weeklyin 2019. “I really like to pretend I’m a different character. I get to feel emotions that another person wouldn’t feel becausethey’renot that character.”
Her impressive work even earned her the Rising Star award at CinemaCon in May 2022. “THANK YOU so much @cinemacon for the incredible honor of this award,” she wrote onInstagrambeside a photo of her holding the award. “I am so grateful to everyone that made this dream come true!!!”
Her Marvel role was recast
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One of Fortson’s most notable roles to date is her portrayal of the young Cassie Lang in the first and secondAnt-Manfilms —Ant-Manin 2015 andAnt-Man and the Waspin 2018.
“I auditioned in my hallway and then I went in for the callback,” she recalled toInside the Magic. “My first audition is actually onYouTube. It was really fun to audition for it, and I really wanted to get the role, but I have no idea why casting chose me, or how they chose me, or anything inside of that.”
Fortson was particularly excited about the role because she felt like she had “so much in common” with the superhero daughter character. “We both like soccer, we’re both independent, we both really want to be superheroes, we’re both strong, we’re both kind, we’re both sweet, we’re both funny, and we both love our dads,” she explained.
The character actually goes on to become a superhero herself in the comic book series, and Fortson wanted to keep the role until that point. “I really hope that I get to play Stature,” she said. “I think it would be so cool to have the suit and just become a superhero … fight bad guys!”
Unfortunately, because of a time jump in the plotline, the character of Cassie Lang was recast for theAvengers: EndgameandAnt-Man 3films. However, the spirit she brought to the character will live on thanks to her successorKathryn Newton.
She’s an amateur baker
Fortson may be killing it in the acting world, but she has another passion: baking! The actress loves makingvegan goodiesin her downtime.
“My dream is to bake on the @britishbakeoff,” she wrote in April 2021 besidean Instagram photoholding a vegan orange cake with Italian meringue buttercream and marzipan roses.
She’s crazy about her dog
When she’s not acting, baking, or spending time with her family, Fortson loves hanging out with her dog, Thomas. The familyadoptedthe lab mix from the Mae Day Los Angeles Dog Rescue, and he quickly became an important member of the family.
For Christmas in 2020, Fortson’s mom commissioned a custom pair of Vans with her dog painted on each one. “One side is him as a puppy and the other side is him as a 2 year old!” she wrote onInstagram. “Best Christmas present ever from my MOM.”
source: people.com
