The first time I met Liamani Segura back in August, she was keeping a huge secret from me. And everyone else, for that matter.

Don’t get me wrong: In many ways, the 17-year-old actress, singer and songwriter is an open book. She was thrilled to talk about playing Princess Pink, daughter of the Queen of Hearts, in Descendants: Wicked Wonderland (out next summer).

She delved into the original music she’s releasing in the coming months. She even admitted that, despite being an October baby, she’s never actually tried a pumpkin spice latte.

But toward the end of our conversation, after we’d spent a good minute fangirling over Descendants (“When I was little, I wanted to dye my hair purple and blue like Mal and Evie,” Liamani confessed), I asked her a question that made her instantly light up.

“Let’s take Descendants out of the picture for a second. What’s your other favorite throwback DCOM?”

“Honestly, I’m a sucker for all of them, but I looove Camp Rock,” Liamani said before breaking into the chorus of “Can’t Back Down.” She was joking around, but she did happen to hit that choreo perfectly…

You, dear reader, probably already know what I didn’t at the time: Liamani is set to star in the latest installment of Disney Channel’s most iconic franchise, Camp Rock 3, where she’ll jam out alongside the legendary Jo Bros and fan favorites like Malachi Barton and Lumi Pollack.

When news of her casting finally broke—right before we sat down for dim sum in Vancouver’s Chinatown—I thought back to our first chat and couldn’t help but smile. I wondered if Past Liamani had been trying to send me a secret message or if I’d just been played (in the best way possible).

The one thing I do know for sure? Future Liamani is about to spend the next 12 months taking over your screens, your playlists and your whole heart.

GL: You just wrapped shooting the cover for your new single, “Christmas I Won’t Forget.” So let’s start with the most important question: Outside of yours, what’s your favorite holiday song?

Liamani:Ha! I’m into the classics, like Gene Autry’s “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” I love a good Christmas song with cozy, nostalgic vibes.

Does “Christmas I Won’t Forget” bring that energy?

That’s what I tried to do, write about my real-life traditions. Every year my family has a huge dinner with yams, green bean casserole and—my favorite—fruit salad. (Me again: If you’re picturing something healthy here, don’t. Liamani’s secret family recipe involves copious amounts of whipped cream and marshmallows.) We watch The Polar Express and make milkshakes with eggnog. Everything I mention in the song is literally something I do every holiday season. What’s your favorite Christmas song?

What can I say, always an “All I Want for Christmas Is You” fan.

I love that one, too. I grew up on Mariah Carey. My mom would always play her and Whitney Houston—you know, the singer singers—and try to teach me the riffs.

What other music did you listen to when you were little?

My older sister and I were huge Disney girls. The Cheetah Girls, Teen Beach Movie…the list goes on and on. And Descendants and Camp Rock, of course. I’d watch those movies on repeat and idolize Demi and the Jonas Brothers.

Crazy to think you’re shooting with them right now for Camp Rock 3.

It’s been surreal, a dream come true. When I got the call that I’d booked the role, I immediately started crying.

Understandable. What are the vibes like on set?

It’s a party every day. There’s never a moment where we’re not laughing, smiling or making TikToks. And I’m actually about to start a prank war. I’m going to either draw mustaches on everyone’s pictures or TP the trailers.

You do love to keep things classic. Can you tell us about your character, Sage?

Sage is super bold. She’s got a spunky, fun personality.

Anything else you’re able to tease about the film?

There are so many Easter eggs. Jaws are going to hit the floor when people see what we brought from the original Camp Rock to Camp Rock 3.

And that’s not the only DCOM you’re leading next year. You’re playing Kylie Cantrall’s little sister in Descendants: Wicked Wonderland. How was that experience?

It was insanely special. I remember when I first tried on my character Pink’s wig, her heels, her little skirt and all the sparkles—I about died.

Does Kylie give older-sis vibes IRL?

Totally. We got so close working together. It was like a sister bond. (Deep-cut trivia: Liamani is a proud middle child, so she knows a thing or two about sib dynamics.) I could go to her for basically anything. I’d ask for her advice on my career, my singing, even boys.

What was the best part of joining the Descendants family?

There’s nothing better than having cast friends. It’s a different kind of bond. Our director would host parties or dinners, and we loved meeting up, watching movies and playing cards.

And was there any part of it that was tough for you?

Hmm, probably being so young and having all these eyes on me, only because I still have so much to learn. It’s kind of scary when you feel like the world is watching.

How old were you when you performed in front of an audience for the first time?

I was in my kindergarten talent show. There were maybe 50 people in the room, if that. I sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” A video of it got posted and the reaction was crazy. I remember everyone saying, “You’ve got a big voice in that tiny, tiny body!

So when did you start writing your own songs?

When I was 5 or 6, I was gifted this Minnie Mouse journal—my first-ever songbook. (Apparently it was pink too…how’s that for foreshadowing?) I remember that I wrote a song about my grandma. The lyrics were so silly but sweet, like, “Grandma, I love your eyes.” I think I still have the pages somewhere in my special box.

That’s adorable. What else do you keep in there?

It fits the perfect amount of random stuff: a stuffed animal of Wilbur, the pig from Charlotte’s Web, my baby blankets, songwriting pages and a bunch of things from my childhood. (Exactly what you’d expect from someone whose first EP, Dear Little Me, was partly a love letter to her younger self—who she’s affectionately dubbed “Lili.”)

We love a sentimental gal.

I know, I’m such an emotional person. My special box is going everywhere with me ’til I’m like 50. No, ’til I’m gone. I’ll probably be buried with it.

Does that sensitive side influence your writing today?

Definitely. My LP—which I’m working on now—shows a whole different side of me. Sometimes when I’m in the studio, I have to talk about things I’ve been through, even if it’s painful, so I can turn them into songs. I wrote one song recently that made me cry while writing because it held so much emotion and heartbreak.

It must be hard to be that vulnerable.

For sure. But it’s a beautiful thing to let listeners know they’re not alone. Everybody gets their heart broken. I want the girlies to cry with me!

Besides working on the album, what will you be doing over the holidays?

Hanging out with my family and going to my grandparents’ house. That always makes me feel grounded. I love cooking with them and introducing my grandma to shows she’s never seen before. I just got her hooked on The Summer I Turned Pretty.

And when you look to next year and beyond, what do you hope the future holds?

Big picture, I cannot wait to sell out Madison Square Garden. That’s been one of my biggest goals in life, along with performing at the Grammys. Hopefully someday. I’m putting it out there, manifesting it.

I can’t wait either. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.

I’ll save you a front row seat.

The Right Stripes

Petition to make black and white satin pants a neutral: approved.

Jacket, $60, Stoosh. Top, $23, Banana Republic. Pants, $300, Jevon Terance. Shoes, $365, Bella Belle. Earrings, $84, Ariel Taub. Necklace, $110, Berricle.

Tied Up

You’re booked ‘n’ busy this season—and a bejeweled mini and bow cardi will take you everywhere you need to go.

Cardigan, $85, Lili Sidonio. Top, $25, American Apparel. Skirt, $110, Akira. Boots, $100, Chinese Laundry. Earrings, $138, Berricle. Tights, $16, Yilanmy.

Fur Real

Winterize your silky slip dress with a matching fuzzy topper. So chic, it’s almost unbearable.

Jacket, $64, Stoosh. Dress, $75, White Fox. Shoes, $70, Chinese Laundry. Earrings, $30, Zara. Tights, $9, HeyUU. Socks, $14, Benefeet Sox.

Sport Story

Athletic wear can shine up nice for a soirée, too. Just add sheer layers and a little sparkle.

Top, $39, Lulus. Mesh bodysuit, $45, Intimissimi. Skirt, $400, Jevon Terance. Sneakers, $90, Skechers. Hair clips, $9, Laxizar. Earrings, $120, Ariel Taub. Socks, $15, Bombas.

High Shine

Making a strong case for daytime metallics? You, in this exact outfit.

Jacket, $88, Lulus. Maxi skirt (worn as a dress), $23, White Fox. Boots, $475, Paris Texas. Sunnies, $400, Prada. Earrings, $120, Oak & Luna. Bag, $395, Rocknot.

Ice Queen

Sweeter than a sugar cookie, a fluffy white knit is like frosting for all your best denim. You’re glowing!

Cardigan, $36, Gorglitter. Top, $35, RoseSeek. Jeans, $80, Akira. Shoes, $272, Bella Belle. Earrings, $90, Ariel Taub. Scarf, $400, Ravishing Couture.

Hey, girl! Just to let you know, this originally ran in our December/January 2026 issue. Read our print mag for *free* today when you click HERE!

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✨ EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE! Be the first to see Pressley’s new music video for “Almost Love”
✨ “Being a Rockette changed my life—but not in the way I expected”

Fashion credits for top image: Dress, $1,500, Tykorchélli. Boots, $85, Thats So Fetch. Earrings, $135, Oak & Luna. Ring, $34, Alex and Ani.

Christmas I Won’t Forget, Camp Rock 3 and Kylie Cantrall: @liamani

All other images:
Photographed by MANICPROJECT.
Styled by Whitney Brielle.
Hair by Lilia Afsahi.
Makeup by Naomi Bakstad.
Fashion copy by Poppy Price.