Anneliese van der Pol
A Disney Channel star who brought Chelsea Daniels to life, she transitioned from a teen sitcom favorite to a seasoned stage performer.
Born 1984 (age 42)·Dutch actress·Birthday: September 23·Millennials
Biography
Anneliese van der Pol moved from the Netherlands to the United States as a child, finding her calling in musical theater before television fame came knocking. Her breakout role as the earnest and often exasperated Chelsea on 'That's So Raven' made her a familiar face to a generation of viewers, a role she would reprise years later in the sequel series. But her heart has always been on the stage. Parallel to her screen work, she built a substantial career in theater, most notably stepping into the title role in the national tour of 'Beauty and the Beast' and earning critical praise for her performance as Judy Garland in 'End of the Rainbow'. With a powerful singing voice and a knack for comedy, van der Pol has sustained a versatile career that transcends her Disney origins.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Anneliese was born in 1984, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anneliese Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Anneliese's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed Chelsea Daniels across two Disney Channel series, 'That's So Raven' and its revival 'Raven's Home'.
- Starred as Belle in the national touring company of Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' for over a year.
- Played the demanding lead role of Judy Garland in the theatrical production 'End of the Rainbow'.
- Recorded the song 'Over It' for the Disney Channel Original Movie soundtrack 'Stuck in the Suburbs'.
Did You Know?
She is a trained mezzo-soprano and studied voice and theater at the prestigious Orange County School of the Arts.
She provided the singing voice for the character of 'Moscow' in the animated film 'The Emperor's New School'.
She made her Broadway debut in 2003 as an understudy in the musical 'Mamma Mia!'.
“I started in theater, and that discipline never really leaves you.”
