Contests the Strawberry Festival

Best known for playing the comedic sidekick, “Chelsea Daniels” for six years, on the DISNEY mega-hit and Emmy winning show, That’s So Raven, Anneliese van der Pol stars as “Jennifer” in the 20th CENTURY FOX/NEW REGENCY spoof comedy Vampires Suck. Breaking out from her goofier, girlish image and into a sexier, edgier comedienne, this firecracker is ready to show her fans what they have all been waiting for over the years.

Compared by some to Debra Messing (due to her attractive looks yet quirky comedic personality and acting style), Anneliese is also an accomplished professional singer and musical theatre performer. Making her Broadway debut as Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Anneleise was the Broadway production’s 17th and, to date, final Belle.

Last year was an extremely busy year for Anneliese. Not only did she originate the role of “Kathy” in the new musical Vanities which debuted Off-Broadway at the Second Stage Theatre, she also recorded the original cast album. Additionally, van der Pol starred as “Esther Smith” in the Theater Under the Stars production of Meet Me in St Louis and worked with Grammy-winning artist, India Arie, in a staged reading of Shlomo in New York City. In the past, Anneliese has appeared on the big screen as “Avery” in Bratz! from LIONSGATE, and starred in Divorce:

The Musical and Shalom Sesame in 2009 among Jake Gyllenhaal, Christina Applegate, Debra Messing, and Greg Kinnear, Israeli performers and more Sesame Street friends. The Shalom Sesame series introduces children to Israeli life, Jewish culture and traditions, and basic Hebrew letters and numbers.

Born in Naaldwijk, Nederlands to an American mother and a Dutch father, Anneliese immigrated to America with her family when she was three and retains dual Dutch and American citizenships. As a child, Anneliese showed promise as a dancer until an injury forced her to explore other creative outlets. At age 15, she landed the role as “Eva Peron” in the Buena Park Theater production of Evita, for which she received critical praise from the LA Times. She is the youngest actress in US theatrical history to play the role in a professional production. Anneliese graduated from the theater program at The Orange County High School of the Arts, where, in her senior year, she was voted as— to her absolute delight, “Class Clown.”

A fan of vintage clothing and jewelry, Anneliese has a keen interest in fashion. Her jewelry collection is quite impressive, and if pressed, she will admit to owning an embarrassing number of shoes.

She is also a big believer in giving back to the community. Her volunteer activities include food bank distribution and benefit performances for Broadway Cares. She is a member of Amnesty International and a supporter of the Window Between Worlds charity which aides abused women.