After an extensive search it has been announced that actor, dancer, and model Ava Michelle will play the lead role in its upcoming live action comedy Tall Girl, making her feature film debut.
“It was essential for us to find an actor to portray our lead who can speak to the challenges and lessons that Jodi experiences from a very personal place of authenticity,” said Nzingha Stewart, the film’s director. “Ava’s ability to beautifully and uniquely showcase those attributes stood out to us in a way that we believe audiences will connect with. Tall Girl showcases that embracing the very qualities that make you different is what allows you to overcome anything.”
Stewart went on to explain that the film captures the tone of the classic John Hughes movies, while exploring the nuanced and delicate relationships that make high school challenging, frustrating, memorable, and uplifting. Ava Michelle, who is 6 feet and 1 inch tall, will play Jodi, a 16-year-old who must embrace what makes her different and be proud to stand out, not fit in.

Griffin Gluck (Netflix’s American Vandal, who also stars in the coming of age drama Big Time Adolescence) will star in Tall Girl as Jack Dunkleman, Jodi’s best friend. Actor, musician, and model Luke Eisner (The Goldbergs), who is making his feature film debut, will star as Stig, a handsome – and equally tall – Swedish foreign exchange student. Sabrina Carpenter (The Hate U Give, forthcoming The Short History of The Long Road) stars as Harper, Jodi’s beautiful and extremely melodramatic pageant-winning older sister. Paris Berelc (Netflix’s Alexa & Katie) stars as Liz, the unconventional best friend of Jodi’s tormentor. Rounding out Jodi’s family is Steve Zahn (Valley of the Boom, War for the Planet of the Apes) as Richie Kreyman, Jodi’s manic and anxious dad with a big heart and Angela Kinsey (Haters Back Off!, The Office) as Helaine Kreyman, Jodi’s former pageant-queen mom who struggles to connect with her daughter.