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Lalaine Vergara-Paras, who played Miranda Sanchez on the Disney Channel show, says she struggles to find photos of herself looking "as ethnic as possible."
Lalaine Vergara-Paras says she spent most of her life being "forced" to look like someone else.
The now-31-year-old actress -- who played Miranda Sanchez, Hilary Duff's character's best friend on "Lizzie McGuire" -- opened up about her experience with whitewashing in Hollywood in a powerful Instagram post Thursday.
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View Story"Most of my life, growing up, I was forced to look as 'white' as possible. These days, I struggle to find photos where I look as ethnic as possible," Lalaine captioned a photo of herself looking "the most East Asian I've ever looked." Her parents are both Filipino.
"In order to see, for most people, you have to zoom in on my face," she continued. "And in case you still don't understand, I love ma face in this photo." In the shot, Lalaine's wearing bright red lipstick and a floral headband atop her dark, short locks.
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While Lalaine did play a Hispanic character on "Lizzie McGuire," Miranda spoke very little Spanish. She was also the most self-conscious of her friends (Lizzie and Gordo).
"Lizzie McGuire" premiered on the Disney Channel in January 2001 and ended in February 2004, after a total of 65 episodes were produced and aired. Lalaine did not appear in the last six episodes, nor in "The Lizzie McGuire Movie," due to her filming schedule for the Disney Channel Original Movie, "You Wish!"
Lalaine went on to land roles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (2003), "Off the Clock" (2009-2013) and "Easy A" (2010).
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