Aileen Quinn from Annie is now the frontwoman of a band named Aileen Quinn and the Leapin’ Lizards, four decades after standing out among thousands of girls to play Annie in the ‘80s classic. The actress-turned-rocker now looks unrecognizable at 53 as she now wears her tight curls straightened out.
Still possessing that spunky demeanor from her role, Aileen has been experimenting with unconventional styles like prints and adding flowers to her hair during performances. She still has the radiant smile of her 9-year-old self that won the hearts of casting directors back in the day.
Life after ‘Annie’ for Aileen Quinn
Before Annie, Aileen appeared in TV commercials for Planters Cheez Balls, Shake ‘n Bake, and Northern Bathroom Tissue and was featured in Annie’s Broadway production as one of the other orphans. After landing her breakthrough role as Annie and earning two Golden Globe nominations and a Youth In Film award, she took a break from acting.
Aileen disappeared from the public eye after 1986’s The Great Space Coaster, and would not return until two decades later. Upon her return, Aileen rerouted her career to music and stage performances with credits in productions like Oliver!, Twelfth Night and Fiddler on the Roof.
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Why did Aileen Quinn take a two-decade-long break?
Aileen explained during a 2022 interview that her parents prioritized her education regardless of how famous she had become, hence her withdrawal back to normalcy and full-time classes. Filming would not let her become the straight-A student she always was, and her mother was not having it.
Aileen then went to college and moved to another country to fulfill her adventurous desires. On coming back, she had a different career in mind which she is now pursuing alongside four other bandmates. According to the music group’s website, they blend “Rockabilly and swing” to the 21st century.