Key Highlights:
- Members of the original School of Rock child cast have reunited in a recording studio to release an updated version of the diss track “You’re Tacky and I Hate You,” featuring vocals from Jack Black.
- The reunion video, shared by Brian Falduto on TikTok, features a tribute to drummer Kevin Clark, who tragically passed away following a 2021 traffic collision.
- While Miranda Cosgrove remains the primary member pursuing mainstream screen acting, the rest of the ensemble has ventured into diverse fields, including law, real estate, adult entertainment, and independent music.
More than 23 years after director Richard Linklater introduced audiences to Horace Green Prep in the cult comedy School of Rock, the ensemble of child actors has reassembled to celebrate their shared musical heritage. Organized by Brian Falduto—who played band stylist Billy—several members of the original group entered a recording studio to record a modernized version of their iconic cinematic insult track, “You’re Tacky and I Hate You.” The updated release, which includes vocal contributions from frontman Jack Black, offered a nostalgic display of the lifelong bonds forged on set during the five-month New York shoot.
Unlike many young Hollywood ensembles that drift apart over time, the School of Rock cast has famously maintained an active group chat and regular meetups. The reunion clip shared to TikTok by Brian Falduto also served as a solemn tribute to late cast member Kevin Clark, the real-life drummer who portrayed Freddy (“Spazzy McGee”). Kevin Clark died in 2021 after being struck by a car while riding his bicycle. Brian Falduto dedicated the new studio session to his memory, writing:
“Obviously, there was no reuniting the OG School of Rock band without its OG, badass, ‘stick-it-to-the-man’ drummer. But we did our best to make him proud. This project is & always will be dedicated to him… Rest in peace, Kev.”
Following Kevin Clark’s death in 2021, Jack Black expressed deep grief, writing: “Devastating news. Kevin is gone. Way too soon. Beautiful soul. So many great memories. Heartbroken. Sending love to his family and the whole School of Rock community.”
Where the Core Cast Members Are Today
The updated track showcases the radically varied paths the ensemble has taken since the 2003 musical film hit theaters. While Richard Linklater chose several young performers primarily for their instrumental skills rather than traditional acting pedigrees, only a fraction remained in mainstream cinema and television.
Miranda Cosgrove (Summer Hathaway / “Tattletale”)
Miranda Cosgrove remains the most visible screen actor from the child cast. After playing band manager Summer, she achieved major stardom through Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh and iCarly, alongside voicing Margo in the Despicable Me franchise. Reflecting on the 20th anniversary of the movie in an interview with Metro, Cosgrove characterized the production as “one of the coolest” experiences of her youth. Cosgrove noted: “We filmed that movie for five months in New York when I was nine and it was my first real experience getting to act and be on a set. It’s something I will treasure for the rest of my life and getting to know all of those people and have them in my life for so long.” Miranda Cosgrove did not appear in the studio clip alongside her former peers.
Robert Tsai (Lawrence / “Mr. Cool”)
Pianist Robert Tsai, who famously crafted his character’s insecure backstory after experiencing his own crisis of confidence on set, stepped back into the musical frame to provide keyboard work for the reunion video. School of Rock stands as Tsai’s sole cinematic acting credit. After graduating from Dartmouth College, Robert Tsai maintained his focus purely within the concert hall as a live concert pianist.
Caitlin Hale (Marta / “Blondie”) & Angelo Massagli (Frankie / “Tough Guy”)
Caitlin Hale and Angelo Massagli turned their childhood collegiality into romance years after leaving Hollywood behind. Following childhood appearances in The Sopranos (playing Bobby Baccalieri Jr.) and Stuart Little 2, Massagli transitioned to the legal industry to work as an attorney. Caitlin Hale worked as an ultrasound technician (sonographer) before expanding into real estate in New Jersey. The two began dating in 2016 after Caitlin Hale posted in the shared cast chat that she was relocating to Florida, where Angelo Massagli resided at the time.
Reflecting on that reconnection, Massagli told Insider in 2021: “We have a group chat where all the School of Rock kids, we just hit each other up whenever someone moves somewhere new or is doing something different. So Caitlin is like, hey, I’m moving down to Florida.” After spending time “grabbing dinners and going out for the weekends,” Massagli told the New York Times that he sensed “something’s brewing here.” The couple married in 2025, an event that gathered the majority of the former child stars for a live dance to Stevie Nicks’s “Edge of Seventeen” and included a celebratory video greeting from Jack Black.
Rivkah Reyes (Katie / “Posh Spice”)
Bassist Rivkah Reyes, who uses she/they pronouns, returned to the studio with their bass guitar for the reunion video. Following childhood struggles with school bullying, intense expectations to maintain an acting trajectory, and substance abuse battles that preceded their current sobriety, Reyes has been transparent about navigating adult life. While writing and recording “sad grunge” indie music, Reyes has also produced adult content. On TikTok, Reyes made an appeal to followers regarding the duality of their public profile, stating: “Anyway would LOVE for ya’ll to support and check out my music so that I can quit doing the other thing.”
Maryam Hassan (Tomika / “Turkey Sub”)
Maryam Hassan, who delivered the film’s memorable performance of Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools,” largely stepped away from Hollywood acting after School of Rock. Instead, she pivoted into entrepreneurship as a marketing firm co-owner, freelance makeup artist, and independent R&B singer. Recalling the casting process to Vulture, Hassan shared: “They were looking for an overweight singer around my age. I was a chubby little girl. Specifically, they needed someone who had range to sing Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle. I’m an old soul who grew up singing songs by those women. I got to sing. That’s my expertise and that’s what I’d been working towards. I fell into acting, but I was born to sing. It was interesting because after we did the takes for the scene [in which she sings Chain of Fools] and finished up, some crew members were quietly stirring in the background and whispering, ‘Wow, that was really great. Did you hear that voice?’ It was like there was a small audience cheering me on.”
Brian Falduto (Billy / “Fancy Pants”) & Joey Gaydos (Zack / “Zack-Attack”)
Brian Falduto, responsible for organizing the new studio track, moved from being the flamboyant band stylist on screen to carving out an authentic singing career off-screen. Falduto previously released the album Gay Country. Joining him in the video session was lead guitarist Joey Gaydos, who has continued his musical path by releasing independent albums of “genre-fluid solo music.”
Why This Matters
Child ensembles in high-grossing studio films frequently drift apart once promotional obligations conclude, often dealing with the pitfalls of early fame in isolation. The cast of School of Rock represents a notable counterexample. Rather than relying on public industry events to see one another, the performers have maintained personal communication through active private messaging channels, mutual career support, and milestone life events, including weddings.
The latest studio session and TikTok release for “You’re Tacky and I Hate You” highlights how authentic artistic camaraderie—rooted in Richard Linklater’s original preference for casting genuine child musicians over seasoned studio talent—has persevered across more than two decades, keeping the artistic legacy of the film and late drummer Kevin Clark alive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the cast remake “You’re Tacky and I Hate You”?
Brian Falduto gathered available cast members in a recording studio to create an updated version of the comedic diss track from the original film, featuring fresh contributions from the original performers and vocals from Jack Black, while paying tribute to late drummer Kevin Clark.
Which original cast members participated in the recording studio reunion?
The studio project and social media reunion featured Brian Falduto (Billy), Robert Tsai (Lawrence), Rivkah Reyes (Katie), Maryam Hassan (Tomika), and Joey Gaydos (Zack), alongside vocal elements from Jack Black.
Did any cast members get married to each other?
Yes. Caitlin Hale (who played Marta) and Angelo Massagli (who played Frankie) reconnected through the cast’s group chat in 2016 and subsequently married in 2025, hosting an event attended by many of their former co-stars.
