On May 31, 2006, MTV Canada premiered an original episode of its documentary series Diary, featuring Lauren Collins (Paige Michalchuk).
Titled “Class Act,” the episode offered fans an intimate look into Lauren’s life as she balanced her long-running role on Degrassi: The Next Generation with her transition into feature films. The special followed her to New York City for the red carpet premiere of her movie Take the Lead, starring Antonio Banderas, and back to Toronto for her work on the show.
Red Carpets & Nerves
The segment captures the excitement and anxiety of Lauren’s big break in Hollywood. Cameras followed her as she prepared for the Take the Lead premiere on April 3, 2006. Viewers see her navigating the chaos of the red carpet, giving interviews, and interacting with the paparazzi—a stark contrast to her life as a high school student in Toronto.
Degrassi Minis & Fashion 18
Back in Canada, the episode showcased Lauren returning to the Degrassi grind. The clip features rare behind-the-scenes footage of her recording Automated Dialogue Replacement (ADR) for one of the most memorable Degrassi Minis: “What if Liberty was Paige and Paige was Liberty?” The segment also includes a look at her photoshoot for Fashion 18 Magazine (Spring 2006 issue), where she was featured alongside co-stars like Stacey Farber and Sarah Barrable-Tishauer.
Lost Media Status
Like many MTV Canada productions from this era, the full episode of Diary: Lauren Collins is currently considered lost media. Originally airing in a 30-minute broadcast slot on MTV Canada and CTV, the special has never been officially released online or on DVD. This recovered segment remains one of the few surviving glimpses of the episode.