Olivia Holt

2007–2011: Rise to prominence

Holt began her acting career in local theater productions.^[12] She started appearing in television commercials at the age of 10, for products including Hasbro, Kidz Bop 14, Mattel, Bratz dolls, Littlest Pet Shop, and Girl Gourmet.^[13][14]

Possessing skills in gymnastics, Holt was cast in Disney XD's martial arts comedy Kickin' It, which premiered on June 13, 2011.^[15] She played the role of Kim Crawford in the series, as a main character in the first through third seasons, and as a special guest on three episodes in the fourth season.^[16]

2012–2014: Departure from Kickin' It and I Didn't Do It

She starred in the 2012 Disney Channel Original Movie Girl vs. Monster, playing the lead character Skylar Lewis, a teenager who discovers that her family have long worked as monster hunters, and she is next in line.^[17] She left Kickin' It as a regular after its third season to star in the Disney Channel half-hour comedy series I Didn't Do It, which premiered on January 17, 2014. The series follows five friends, including Holt's character, Lindy Watson, a nerdy, athletic, social outcast.^[18] The series ended on October 16, 2015, after two seasons.^[19][20]

2014–present: Career expansion

In November 2014, Holt joined the cast of the drama Same Kind of Different as Me, directed by Michael Carney.^[21] The film was released on October 20, 2017.^[22] From December 10, 2014, to January 4, 2015, Holt played Aurora in Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight at Pasadena Playhouse.^[23] In November 2015, it was announced that Holt had been cast in a lead role in the indie comedy Class Rank, directed by Eric Stoltz.^[24] In May 2016, it was announced that she would star in Status Update, directed by Scott Speer, with filming to begin the following month in Vancouver, Canada.^[25][26] In January 2017, Holt was cast as Tandy Bowen / Dagger, one of the lead characters in the Freeform and Marvel Comics television series Cloak & Dagger.^[27][28] The series premiered in June 2018 and ran for two seasons until May 2019, after which it was canceled.^[29] Holt and co-star Aubrey Joseph reprised their roles in the animated series Spider-Man and a crossover episode in Runaways. Holt plays Kate Wallis on the series Cruel Summer, a psychological thriller set between 1993 and 1995 that premiered on Freeform on April 20, 2021.^[30] From April 10 to June 4, 2023, Holt played Roxie Hart in Chicago, marking her debut on Broadway.^[4]

Musical career

Holt recorded three songs for the 2012 film Girl vs. Monster, in which she also starred. The songs were featured on the compilation Make Your Mark: Ultimate Playlist. She won a 2013 Radio Disney Music Award for Best Crush Song for "Had Me @ Hello", which was featured in the film.^[18] She also recorded a cover version of "Winter Wonderland" for the 2012 Disney Channel Holiday Playlist album.^[31] Her song "Carry On" was the theme song for the 2014 Disneynature film Bears.^[21]

In October 2014, Holt signed a record deal with Hollywood Records.^[32] Her debut single, "Phoenix", came out on May 13, 2016. The music video was released on June 23, 2016.^[33][34] Olivia, her debut EP, was released on July 15, 2016.^[26][35]

In 2016, Holt went on her first tour, the Rise of a Phoenix Tour, with Ryland Lynch, Isac Elliot and Forever in Your Mind.^[36] She and Forever in Your Mind also performed at the 2016 TJ Martell Family Foundation Day in Los Angeles on October 9, 2016.^[37]

In April 2017, she was picked as Elvis Duran's Artist of the Month appearing on NBC's Today show with Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford performing her hit "History". Her single "Generous", which was written by Fransisca Hall and MoZella, was released on September 22, 2017. The song's music video was directed by Chris Applebaum.^[38] "Generous" reached number 1 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.^[39] In 2018, she collaborated with Martin Jensen on "16 Steps"^[40] and with Nicky Romero on "Distance".^[41] The same year, she released the single "Bad Girlfriend".^[42]

Her 2020 single "Love U Again" featuring R3hab reached number 40 on the Billboard Hot Dance / Electronic Songs chart.^[43][39] It was followed by "Take Me Out of It" later that year.^[44] Through early 2021 she released the singles "Do You Miss Me"^[45] and "Love On You".^[46] She also covered the Smashing Pumpkins song "Today" for the TV series in which she stars Cruel Summer.^[47] On June 11, 2021, a compilation EP called "In My Feelings" was released, containing her previous released singles. On June 25, 2021, she released the single "Next", co-written with Meghan Trainor.^[46]

Holt parted ways with Hollywood Records in November 2021.^[48]

Screenwriting and directing

In August 2025, it was announced that Holt would return to Cruel Summer for its third season.^[49] She will serve as an executive producer in addition to reprising her season 1 lead role as Kate Wallis.^[50] The new installment, which is in development at Hulu and Freeform, marks a return to the series' original narrative roots after its second season followed an anthology format.^[50] Holt will serve as executive producer alongside Jessica Biel and Michelle Purple of Iron Ocean Productions, with Cori Uchida and Adam Lash serving as the new showrunners.^[50]

Endorsements

In 2013, Holt partnered with mobile gaming system maker PlayMG as a spokesperson and part owner, to help the company develop new versions of its app-based games.^[51] She was announced as a brand ambassador for Neutrogena in March 2016.^[15][52]

Film

Television

Theater