Laila Lockhart has emerged as a captivating figure in the world of American television, notably gaining prominence through her enchanting portrayal in the TV series “Gabby’s Dollhouse.” Her ability to seamlessly transition from a live-action persona to an animated character has enthralled millions of young viewers and those young at heart. However, her physical transformation as she navigated the challenges of puberty has sparked speculation and discussion surrounding her actual age. The persistent rumors of Laila possibly portraying herself as a teenager to connect with her younger fan base have added an intriguing layer to her public persona.
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Early Years and Family
Born on 29 March 2008, in Boca Raton, Florida, Laila Lockhart Kraner hails from a close-knit and supportive family. Her name is pronounced “Lie-Lah” chosen by her Mother, which means “night” in Hebrew. Her parents, Shameek Lockhart and Elise Lockhart, created a nurturing environment for Laila and her sister, Maia, and brother, Aiden. Their diverse heritage—Dominican on her father’s side and Russian-Jewish on her mother’s, contributed to Laila’s multilingual abilities. Fluent in Spanish, Russian, and English, her upbringing has been shaped by the rich history of her cultural background.
The family mostly stayed in Los Angeles, California, during her formative years. From an early age, Laila exhibited a keen interest in acting, fueled by her fascination with television. She loved performing in front of her family, especially during holidays. Encouraged by her supportive parents, she fearlessly pursued her passion, enrolling in acting classes by the age of six. This early commitment to her craft laid the foundation for her burgeoning career in the entertainment industry.
Later on, the family moved to Massachusetts, and this is the reason why Laila would funnily refer to herself as the “Weast-Coaster.”
Education
While specific details about Laila’s educational background remain undisclosed, it’s known that she is currently an honor roll high school student and part of the school’s athletics team, excelling in track and field. This dual commitment to both scholastic excellence and athletic prowess underscores Laila’s dedication to a well-rounded and accomplished high school experience.
Career
First Steps
Even in her early years, Laila’s distinctive physical attributes and vibrant personality set her apart. Interestingly, her journey into the world of acting began when she’d accompany her parents to her brother’s soccer games. There was a father in the stands who took notice of Laila while observing his child’s soccer game. This observant individual, who happened to be an actor himself, approached Laila’s mother, expressing the belief that her daughter possessed the potential to become an actress. Initially dismissing the idea, as Laila was still quite young, her parents reconsidered upon receiving advice that, if interested, she should prepare for a Hollywood career by enrolling in acting classes.
Eager to explore this possibility, Laila embraced the actor’s guidance, commencing her acting journey at the tender age of six, participating in showcases, honing her skills and building a foundation for her budding career.
As Laila progressed, she sought the support of a reliable talent agency to navigate the complexities of auditions and contract negotiations. Recognizing the need to ensure her well-being, especially considering her young age, her parents were steadfast in their commitment to her care. Eventually, Laila joined forces with Clear Talent Group, a reputable agency with two decades of industry experience, entrusting them to secure opportunities for her. Additionally, she enlisted the expertise of talent manager and publicist Susan Osser to handle the finer details of her burgeoning career.
Her Early Gigs – Commercials
In the early stages of her acting career, like many child actors, Laila found herself in several advertisements, contributing to projects such as “Chevy World Cup” and “ABC Mouse.com.” These commercial ventures served as invaluable experiences, allowing her to acclimatise to the dynamics of being in front of a camera.
Her First TV Role
Laila made her debut in the world of scripted television in 2016, with a role as Young Rainbow in the ABC TV series, “Black-ish.” Although her stint in the comedy series spanned just four episodes scattered across three seasons, it presented a remarkable opportunity for the young actress to share the screen with seasoned performers such as Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Lawrence Fishburne.
More TV Projects
Laila’s talent led her to the 2017 mini-series “Shots Fired,” consisting of 10 episodes that premiered on Fox. The series delved into a Department of Justice investigation surrounding the shooting of an unarmed Caucasian teen by an African-American police officer. In this project, Laila assumed the role of Kai, the daughter of the lead character portrayed by Sanaa Lathan. It marked a pivotal point in her career, showcasing her ability to take on more substantial and nuanced roles.
By 2019, Laila made a brief appearance in an episode of the supernatural TV series “NOS4A2,” aired on AMC. Despite being credited simply as “Kid” without a proper name, she approached each role with enthusiasm and a commitment to making the most of every opportunity presented.
Her First Movie
Laila’s initial foray into the world of make-believe occurred with the independently-produced supernatural movie, “The Secret of Sinchanee,” released in 2021. While she had a more significant role compared to her earlier projects, it wasn’t actively present in the whole narrative of the story. Nevertheless, her portrayal of Ava Donovan garnered high praise, with some movie critics noting, ‘The surprise here is Laila Lockhart Kraner, who delivers a solid performance, and it’s genuinely a shame she isn’t more involved in the story.’ Notably, her name graced the marquee poster alongside the lead stars, hinting at the promising trajectory of her burgeoning film career.
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Her Breakthrough Role
Laila’s career-defining role is as the lead character, Gabby in Dreamworks’ animated series “Gabby’s Dollhouse” on Netflix, which premiered in 2021, having competed with 1,500 girls for the role. Her voice brings the adorable Gabby to life, captivating young audiences worldwide. It specifically targeted preschool-age kids in which the human Gabby along with her stuffed animal friend would be magically transported to the animated version of themselves. Shrinking down to get inside the dollhouse has fascinated her audience, which brought them to eight seasons and still counting; its ninth season is scheduled to start in the last week of March 2024.
A Role Model for Young Girls
“Gabby’s Dollhouse” garnered immense popularity among young children, not only for its entertainment value but also for its uplifting message. The show encourages its target audience to embrace mistakes, promoting resilience and the idea that it’s okay to try again until they achieve success. Laila Lockhart has gracefully embraced the responsibility of being a positive role model for pre-schoolers, aiming to boost their self-esteem through her portrayal of Gabby.
Speculations about Laila’s Real Age
Online discussions in community threads have sparked rumors and confusion regarding Laila’s actual age. The TV show began filming during the pandemic when she was around 11 years old, and while some argued that her physical appearance aligned with her age, the onset of puberty introduced noticeable changes in her body. Recent photos posted on her Instagram account, showcasing a more mature look, further fueled speculation.
During a guest appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” in December 2023, the host commented on Laila’s unique position as a high school student with a cool job, and fans noted that she appeared to be a regular 15-year-old. Many pointed out that the confusion intensified when certain websites provided inaccurate information about Laila’s birthday. Despite the uncertainties surrounding her age, Laila continues to navigate her career with grace, leaving a lasting impression on both her young admirers and the broader audience.
Personal Life
At the young age of turning 16 this year, dating is far from Laila’s mind. Currently focused on her career and personal growth, she navigates the complexities of adolescence with a priority on her professional endeavors rather than romantic pursuits.
Interesting Facts
Musical Talents
Beyond her achievements in acting and sports, Laila has nurtured a passion for music. Encouraged by her parents, she underwent singing, piano, and guitar lessons, ultimately finding joy in playing the electric guitar. If she manages to carve out extra time, she’s expressed plans to explore learning how to play the drums.
Color Preferences
Like many teenagers, Laila’s taste in her favorite colors has evolved over time. In a 2023 interview, she disclosed her current affinity for light green and yellow, while maintaining a consistent fondness for shades of purple.
If you do not know who this young lady is yet, just wait!
She is going to be the next big name in Hollywood!
laila lockhart Kraner
Gabby’s Dollhouse pic.twitter.com/AxjVX2Q80d— Papa StoneTree (@PapaStoneTree) June 21, 2023
Teen Drama Enthusiast
Growing up, Laila indulged in numerous side activities, and one of her guilty pleasures was binge-watching the teen drama series, “Gossip Girl,” multiple times – she admitted losing count of the number of times she enjoyed the show.
Mermaid Dreams in the Dominican Republic
Laila’s family would occasionally visit her father’s relatives in the Dominican Republic for summer vacations. During these trips, she loved indulging in the fantasy of pretending to be a mermaid on the beach, inspired by the Australian children/teen series, “H2O: Just Add Water.”
Germophobia in the Pandemic Era
In 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Laila developed a fear of germs, resulting in her carrying hand sanitizer wherever she went, displaying a heightened sense of cleanliness.
Coloring Book Champion
Like most kids, Laila enjoyed coloring books, and her courage to enter a competition earned her a bike. However, her love for the bike took an adventurous turn when she ended up crashing it.
Early Coffee Enthusiast
At the young age of 10, Laila developed a love for coffee, and she’s been enjoying it ever since.
Antique Store Explorer
Whenever she visits a new place, Laila makes it a point to explore antique stores. Her fascination with the stories behind the trinkets keeps her engaged, spending considerable time browsing through the shelves.
Social Media Presence
Laila maintains a relatively low profile on Instagram under the username @lailalockhartkraner, in which she seldom engages directly with her fans. Although she utilizes the platform to share updates, photos, and behind-the-scenes moments, it’s noteworthy that, as a minor, her account is carefully supervised by her parents. Currently boasting over 18,000 followers, fans speculate that this number could significantly increase if Laila becomes more consistent with her posts – as of February 2024, her account has just 15.
Appearance
At 16 years old, Laila Lockhart boasts a mixed-race complexion and stands at a height of 5ft 2ins (157cms), weighing 106lbs (48kgs). Her distinctive features include brown eyes and naturally curly black hair, a topic that often sparks curiosity, with many questioning whether her luscious locks are natural or salon-crafted.
Net Worth
As of February 2024, authoritative sources estimate Laila’s net worth at already close to $1 million. This financial assessment reflects her success in the entertainment industry and various ventures.
