Kristen Alderson

About Kristen Alderson

Born in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, on May 29, 1991, Kristen Alderson grew up alongside her brother, Eddie Alderson, who would later portray Matthew Buchanan on One Life to Live. Alderson's journey into acting began at the tender age of five, sparked by a film detailing the creation of the musical Annie. Her early education took place in Catholic school in Pennsylvania until the seventh grade. For eighth grade, she transitioned to tutoring on the set of One Life to Live. A cheerleader in junior high, Alderson, along with her brother, pursued their performing arts studies at a specialized high school in New York.

Alderson's initial brush with performance occurred at four years old when her dance class was featured on the local television show Al Alberts Showcase. Her talent led to an individual invitation to perform weekly on the series. This exposure caught the eye of an agent who encouraged her to audition for the Broadway production of Annie. She secured the role of Molly, stepping into the shoes of Christiana Anbri, and later took the part on a national tour. In 2008, she appeared as Lexi Jules in the Eleventh Hour episode "Agro," and the following year, at age seventeen, she played Taisiya Seaver in The Hawthrone series episode "Trust Me." On July 21, 2009, she took on the role of Haley Reed in the film The Eye, sharing the same age as Jessica Alba at the time of its release.

A pivotal moment in her career arrived in February 1998 when Alderson auditioned for the role of Starr Manning on One Life to Live, successfully replacing Meghan Rayder. She was just six years old for her debut, which aired on March 20, 1998. Initially a recurring character, Starr Manning became a contract role in April 2001. Her portrayal earned her a Soap Opera Digest Award for Favorite Teen in 2005. Alderson contributed her voice to musical projects, performing "Valentine" on the charity album One Life: Many Voices for Hurricane Relief and singing "Sleigh Ride" on A Holiday Affair, an album featuring ABC soap opera actors. She also participated in the ensemble track "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" from the latter album, which was promoted with a Soapnet special. Her presence was felt in musical episodes of One Life to Live, including "Babes Behind Bars," "Prom Night: The Musical," and "Starr X'd Lovers." Additionally, she lent her face to commercials for JC Penney, Citgo, and Soap Network.

The cancellation of All My Children and One Life to Live by ABC in April 2011, with General Hospital slated to be the network's sole remaining soap by January 2012, marked a turning point. After One Life to Live concluded filming in November 2