Anna Maria Perez de Tagle is known for her appearances in television series such as Hannah Montana and Cake. Born on December 23, 1992 in San Francisco, California, her love of performing in front of the audience led her to early gigs on stage. She appeared on regional productions of Cinderella, Bugsy Malone and The King and I. She also posed for several catalogues, including Macy’s and Mervyn’s.
In 2003, Perez de Tagle—granddaughter of Filipina singer Sylvia La Torre—competed in Star Search, singing “Somewhere” from West Side Story. She then appeared in a non-speaking role in the 2005 film Bee Season. She then played the role of Miracle Ross in the CBS teen series Cake. After convincing her parents, she auditioned for the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana; she eventually won the part of Ashley Dewitt, the ditzy fashionista who doesn’t know that her school nemesis Miley (Miley Cyrus) is actually her idol Hannah Montana. Her family then moved to Los Angeles so she can be better able to perform her roles.
Perez de Tagle has since made guest appearance in programs such as Just Jordan and Dancing with the Stars, as well as occasional voice work for Higglytown Heroes. She last appeared on the Disney Channel television movie Camp Rock, where she plays Ella, one of the best friends of antagonist Tess Tyler (Meaghan Jette Martin). She may not be mean, but she does anything Tess asks her to do. She wants to be popular, but is also supposedly dumb.
She also enjoys working at the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles, while skiing and playing the piano in her spare time. She is set to appear in the films Bleachers, A Forgotten Innocence, and as Ashley Dewitt in Hannah Montana: The Movie. She also recorded an album, called Listen… it’s a Miracle.