She took acting classes with television actor Dean Armstrong, known in the United States for his participation on Showtime's series Queer as Folk. She trained before becoming an actress, with Kids on Camera and The Second City, two prestigious training companies for aspiring actors. Her classes led to her first appearance, in the 2000 short filmNotes from Mother.[3]
Career
Her big break came when she was hired to play Terri McGregor in the Canadian television hit Degrassi: The Next Generation.[3] The role was a challenge for the teenage Schmidt, because the character is insecure about her self-image and appearance, and becomes entangled in an abusive relationship.[4] She continued in the role until season 3, when her character was put into a coma by her boyfriend.[5]
Following her departure from the show, she began a modeling career.[6] She was represented in fashion and print modelling by B&M Models in Toronto. She appeared in the fall 2007 ad campaign for MXM, a Canadian junior plus-size clothing line. She has modelled for Torrid and Nygard.[7] Some more of her work includes Canadian designers Hilary MacMillan, Lesley Hampton, and Hayley Elsaesser.[1]
