Christopher Massey
Christopher Michael Massey (born January 26, 1990) is an American rapper and actor, best known for his role as Michael Barret on the Nickelodeon television series Zoey 101 (2005–2008).
Christopher Massey | |
---|---|
Born | Christopher Michael Massey January 26, 1990 |
Other names | Chris Massey |
Occupation(s) | Actor, rapper |
Years active | 1994–present |
Children | 3 |
Relatives | Kyle Massey (brother) |
Career
Massey started his acting career at a young age, appearing in commercials for Cap'n Crunch and Pop Tarts. He also has made a guest appearance on Punk'd. He won 2002's Young Artist Award for Outstanding Young Performer in Live Theatre for his role as Young Simba in The Lion King.[1]
Massey had his first starring role as Michael Barret in the Nickelodeon television show Zoey 101. When the show debuted in January 2005, it drew a larger number of viewers aged 9–14 than any premiere on the network in the preceding eight years.[2] Zoey 101 was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Children's Program in 2005.
Massey is the older brother of Kyle Massey, star of Disney shows Cory in the House, That's So Raven, and Fish Hooks.[3] He guest-starred alongside his brother in a That's So Raven episode titled "Five Finger Discount". The Massey brothers have also had small roles on the sitcom The Parkers, have appeared together on The Steve Wilkos Show, and have released music together as the Massey Boyz.[4]
On January 12, 2023, Jamie Lynn Spears announced that production had begun on a sequel film, titled Zoey 102, scheduled to premiere in 2023 on Paramount+, with original series cast members Spears, Massey, Sean Flynn, Erin Sanders, Matthew Underwood, Jack Salvatore Jr., and Abby Wilde reprising their roles. Additionally, Nancy Hower was set to direct, with Spears attached as an executive producer. Production began in January 2023 in North Carolina.[5][6] The film was released on Paramount+ on July 27, 2023.[7][8]
Personal life
Massey has three children, a daughter named Mariah by reality TV personality Cassalei "Cassie" Jackson, whose mother is actress Shar Jackson, and a daughter named Bella and a son named Carter by Bria Miller,[9] to whom he was previously engaged in 2020.
In March 2015, Massey was assaulted and robbed by rapper Lil Twist at Kyle Massey's home in Los Angeles. The rapper reportedly brought four others to aid him in the assault and robbery of the brothers, as well as brass knuckles, and stole Massey's Rolex watch before leaving.[10][11] Lil Twist pleaded no contest to burglary, grand theft, making criminal threats, battery, and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to one year in prison.[12]
In April 2016, TMZ reported that Massey had been arrested and charged with domestic violence, following an incident involving Jackson as they were leaving a nightclub. Massey denied the allegations that he had shoved Jackson, saying the two had been arguing loudly when Jackson fell down, causing security to assume he'd shoved her.[13][14][15] Jackson declined to press charges against Massey.
In July 2017, Massey was granted a temporary restraining order against Shar Jackson, his daughter Mariah's maternal grandmother. He told courts that he'd left Mariah in the care of her mother and grandmother for several weeks and that during the time, Jackson had struck Mariah and left a four-inch long gash in her forehead from a razor.[16] A representative for Jackson denied Massey's claims of abuse.
Filmography
Film
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | The Search for Santa Paws | Rasta | Voice |
2015 | What Did Zoey Say? | Michael Barret | Short based on Zoey 101 |
2018 | That Tree Do Be Growin’ - They Grew Up Next To Each Other But He Never Noticed The Tree | Tre' (the "Tree") | Independent film based on Bennington College original and anonymous student theater production with same name |
2023 | Zoey 102 | Michael Barret | [17][18] |
Television
Year | Series | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2002 | The Parkers | Justin | Episode: "The Crush" |
That Was Then | N/A | Episode: "A Rock and a Head Case" | |
The District | Kenyon | Episode: "Resurrection" | |
2003 | Yes, Dear | Boy #2 | Episode: "Jimmy's Dumb" |
2004 | That's So Raven | Jeremy | Episode: "Five Finger Discount" |
2005–2008 | Zoey 101 | Michael Barret | Main role, 60 episodes |
2006 | Everybody Hates Chris | Kid #1 | Episode: "Everybody Hates Drew" |
2007 | City Girls | Sean Jackson | TV movie |
2009 | The Electric Company | Baseball player | Episode: "Bananas" |
2012 | Switched at Birth | Super Jesus | Episode: "Tree of Forgiveness" |
2020 | All That | Himself | Guest[19] |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2002 | Outstanding Young Performer in Live Theater | Young Artist Awards | Won |
2006 | Best Young Ensemble Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) | Young Artist Awards | Won |
2007 | Best Young Ensemble Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) | Young Artist Awards | Won |
References
- "Young Artist Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org.
- "Zoey 101 Headliner Christopher Massey Stars in Nickelodeon TV Movie 'Goodbye Zoey,'..." Reuters. December 5, 2007. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved December 18, 2007.
- Reilly, Kaitlin (28 August 2017). "A "That's So Raven" & A "Zoey 101" Star Just Won Family Feud". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
- "Chris and Kyle Massey NEW SONG!! Ridin Wit My Brother!!". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2014-05-12.
- "Jamie Lynn Spears on Instagram: "it's official! 🎬 Are you ready…. @paramountplus @nickelodeon"".
- "'Zoey 101' YA Revival Movie Set at Paramount+ with Jamie Lynn Spears & More Original Series Cast". January 12, 2023.
- "Jamie Lynn Spears reprises her iconic role in Zoey 102 first-look photos". ew.com. Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- Swift, Andy (June 20, 2023). "Zoey 102 Trailer Reunites Jamie Lynn Spears With Her Nickelodeon Classmates, 15 Years Later". TVLine. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- "All Grown Up: Nickelodeon's 'Zoey 101' Cast: See What the Stars Are Up to Now". J-14.
- "Justin Bieber Sidekick Lil Twist Charged with 6 Felonies in Kyle Massey Attack". TMZ. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
- "Chris Massey -- Lil Twist Beat Me Down AND Jacked My Rollie". TMZ. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
- "Lil Twist -- 1 Year Behind Bars for Chris Massey Beatdown". TMZ. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
- "'Zoey 101' Star Chris Massey -- Arrested for Domestic Violence (Mug Shot)". TMZ. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
- Harrison, Lily (April 11, 2016). "Zoey 101's Chris Massey Arrested for Domestic Violence After Allegedly Fighting With Girlfriend in Las Vegas". EOnline.com. E! News. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
- "THEN AND NOW: The cast of 'Zoey 101' 16 years later". Insider.
- "'Zoey 101' Star Chris Massey Claims Shar Jackson Abused His Daughter". TMZ. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
- "New Zoey 102 movie to reunite cast and characters of Zoey 101". yahoo.com. 12 January 2023.
- "FIRST LOOK at New Zoey 101 Original Movie: Zoey 102". eonline.com.
- Jones, Marcus (November 21, 2019). "Jamie Lynn Spears is reuniting with the cast of 'Zoey 101' on the new 'All That'". Entertainment Weekly.