Amanda Joy "AJ" Michalka (born on April 10, 1991) is an American actress and singer. She used to be a model prior to becoming an actress, but she is perhaps best known as one-half of the musical duo Aly & AJ with her sister, Alyson Michalka Amanda Michalka was born in Torrance, California. In 1991, she and her older sister, Alyson Michalkaand their parents moved to Seattle. There her parents made sure they were exposed to all varieties of music. They then moved back to Southern California, where they still live. Michalka was in a number of WORD Music productions at her church in Southern California as a young child. Michalka plays a variety of instruments such as acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, and bongos. In March 2006, she made her Disney Channel debut in the Disney Channel Original Movie Cow Belles, as "Courtney Callum", along with sister Aly, as "Taylor Callum". She has also made appearances on shows such as Oliver Beene, Six Feet Under, The Guardian, and General hospital.[1][2][3][4] she has also appeared with her sister in the MTV production of MY Super Sweet 16: the movie.