Whitney Peak will be seen in yet another highly anticipated sequel. The actress is one of the new ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ stars. Learn about this emerging Hollywood talent.
Hollywood is going crazy with Whitney Peak. Following her breakthrough performance as Zoya Lott in the Gossip Girl spinoff series, Whitney is currently appearing as Becca in the September 30 release of Hocus Pocus 2 on Disney+. The Black Flame candle is lit by Whitney’s persona, returning the Sanderson sisters to Salem.
One of young Hollywood’s brightest stars, the 19-year-old is only getting started. HollywoodLife has compiled 5 important facts about Whitney, including her family and previous jobs.
1. Whitney grew up in Uganda
Whitney was born in Kampala, Uganda. She is the youngest of four children. Her father is from Canada, while her mother is from Uganda. In 2012, her family relocated to Canada.
“I went to boarding school in Uganda, so the school system there was definitely a lot harsher and more disciplined, but it was incredible. I had a good time. But there was a lot more opportunity [in Canada], a lot of freedom,” she told Interview.
Whitney explained in an EXCLUSIVE interview with HollywoodLife how important her family and sisters are to her. “I actually have two older sisters and I have one older brother. I’m the youngest one in my family, so just my sense of family and community, keeping the people that I love close to me, is so embedded in me because it’s always kind of been like… the five of us moved from Uganda into Canada and had to relearn this entire society,” she added.
2. In the new season of Gossip Girl, Whitney plays Zoya
Whitney’s role, Zoya Lott, is a key character on the upcoming season of Gossip Girl. At the start of the program, Zoya had just moved to New York City and started school at Constance St. Jude’s. At school, she meets her half-sister Julien, played by Jordan Alexander. As Zoya joins Julien’s household, the sisters experience highs and lows and even argue over a boy named Obie. The HBO Max series will return for a second season.
3. Whitney is a brand ambassador for Chanel
In March 2021, Whitney was introduced as one of Chanel’s US Brand Ambassadors. According to Vogue, she stated, “Honestly, I never dreamed I’d get the attention of such a reputable house, let alone the pleasure of working with and representing them, I’m looking forward to showing how versatile and timeless Chanel is.”
4. Her first role was not on Gossip Girl
Whitney made her television debut in the 2017 film Campfire Kiss. She also appeared in Molly’s Game as Stella. Whitney debuted as Judith on Chilling Adventures of Sabrina in 2019. She also appeared in Home Before Dark as Alpha Jessica.
5. Whitney was the victim of a scam
She went to her first-ever audition and had several callbacks for shows. “We got down to the final moment and we’re getting a contract. Then they asked us for this hefty fee for an agent and we didn’t know anything about it. We just thought: ‘This is awesome, we’ll pay monthly,’” she told The Face. Whitney didn’t get any auditions from the agent. Months later, her family realized it was a scam. “We found out and it was heartbreaking. But more than anything, I felt bad that I got my mom into that situation, especially where we were financially at that point,” she continued.
