If you’ve streamed Ginny & Georgia, you already know the character: Maxine “Mang” Baker, the scene-stealing best friend with a heart of gold. The actor behind Mang, Sara Waisglass, has been acting since she was a child, long before Netflix came calling. At 5’4¾”, she brings a grounded presence to a Hollywood often obsessed with the extraordinary. Here’s a clear look at what’s actually known about her—from her career timeline and on-screen relationships to the lingering questions about her personal life.

Age: 27 · Height: 5’4¾” (1.65 m) · Instagram Followers: 2 million · Notable Role: Maxine “Mang” Baker · Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario · Years Active: 2010–present

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Born July 3, 1998 in Toronto, Canada (IMDb)
  • Height 5’4¾” (1.65 m) (IMDb)
  • Known for roles in Overruled!, Degrassi: Next Class, and Ginny & Georgia (Famous Birthdays)
2What’s unclear
  • Current relationship status (no public confirmation)
  • Whether she has family connections in the industry (no evidence of nepotism)
  • Extent of ASL fluency (learned for role, not known if fully fluent)
3Timeline signal
  • 2010–2011: Starred as Jordy Cooper in Overruled! (IMDb bio)
4What’s next
  • Continues to play Maxine in Ginny & Georgia; future projects unannounced

Seven facts, one pattern: a career built on steady, verifiable roles rather than headline-grabbing scandals.

Label Value
Full Name Sara Waisglass
Date of Birth July 3, 1998
Age 27 (as of 2025)
Height 5’4¾” (1.65 m)
Birthplace Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Years Active 2010–present
Notable Roles Maxine Baker (Ginny & Georgia), Jordy Cooper (Overruled!), Frankie Hollingsworth (Degrassi)

Who is Sara Waisglass?

Early life and career beginnings

  • Born July 3, 1998 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Wikipedia)
  • Began acting at age 7 (IMDb bio)
  • First major role: Jordy Cooper in Overruled! (2010–2011) (Famous Birthdays)

Waisglass got her start in Canadian television, appearing in the family sitcom Overruled! as a tween. She then moved into teen drama with a recurring role as Frankie Hollingsworth in Degrassi: Next Class (2015–2016), a series known for launching young actors. That show gave her the kind of repeat exposure that builds a résumé, not just a name.

Rise to fame with Ginny & Georgia

  • Cast as Maxine “Mang” Baker in Netflix’s Ginny & Georgia (2021–present) (Wikipedia)

The role turned her into a household name among Gen Z audiences. As the loyal, fashion-forward best friend, Waisglass holds her own opposite rising stars like Antonia Gentry and Brianne Howey. The show’s global reach pushed her Instagram following past 2 million (Famous Birthdays).

Bottom line: Waisglass isn’t a flash in the pan. She’s a decade-deep actor who earned her breakout through small-screen apprenticeship, not overnight luck.

The implication: steady roles built a foundation that Netflix stardom now amplifies.

Is Sara Waisglass in a relationship?

Current relationship status

  • No public confirmation of a romantic partner (Wikipedia lists no relationship)

Waisglass keeps her personal life offline. Unlike many peers who share partners on Instagram, her feed focuses on work, humour, and friends. That silence has fueled fan speculation, but no credible source has reported a current boyfriend or girlfriend.

Past relationships (if any)

  • No credible reports of past relationships in public records

Neither gossip outlets nor Waisglass herself have confirmed any past romance. The most intimate insight fans get is an occasional group photo from set hangouts.

Bottom line: Waisglass chooses privacy over publicity for her love life. For now, her relationship status is simply unknown—and that’s the only honest answer.

The pattern: intentional separation of public work from private life.

Is Sara Waisglass a Nepo baby?

Family background

  • Parents are not public figures according to available biographies (IMDb bio)

The “nepo baby” label gets thrown at any young actor with a famous parent. In Waisglass’s case, the public record shows no showbiz lineage. Her mother and father are not named in any industry context, and no sibling works in Hollywood.

Industry connections

  • No evidence of nepotistic connections; she built her career through auditions (IMDb bio notes standard career trajectory)

Her first agent didn’t come from a family favor. Waisglass auditioned for Overruled! and later landed Degrassi the same way most young Canadian actors do: through open calls and casting networks. Her climb looks like old-school perseverance.

Bottom line: Calling Waisglass a nepo baby ignores the evidence. Her career path is built on auditions, not inheritance.

The catch: “nepo baby” accusations often lack proof, and here they have none.

Is Leighton Meester related to Sara Waisglass?

Rumors of familial connection

  • Online rumors conflate the two actresses due to similar features (Wikipedia shows no relationship)

Both are brunette, fair-skinned, and known for teen TV roles. The resemblance has sparked persistent “are they sisters?” questions on social media.

Actual relationship (none)

  • They are not related in any way

Leighton Meester (star of Gossip Girl) and Waisglass share no bloodline, no family name, and no public connection. It’s simply a case of mistaken identity that the internet refuses to drop.

Bottom line: No relation, no shared DNA—just a viral coincidence that won’t die.

The implication: social media rumors do not equal facts.

Does Sara Waisglass know ASL?

Use of ASL in Ginny & Georgia

  • Maxine’s family uses sign language around the house in Season 2 (Seventeen)

In the show, the Baker household is a deaf-inclusive environment. That meant Waisglass had to learn real ASL for her scenes, not just mimed gestures.

Sara’s training in ASL

  • She learned ASL for the role, starting with the alphabet (Seventeen)

Waisglass told Seventeen that before the show she only knew how to sign her name. “I did not know much ASL before Ginny & Georgia,” she said. The cast worked with coach Chris Kenopic to learn the alphabet and everyday signs. A side interpreter was also on set.

Decider reported that Waisglass and co-star Felix Mallard were “honored to portray an ASL family.” Since then, she has continued signing on TikTok, saying she “really love[s] learning ASL.” Whether she has become fully fluent is not publicly documented.

Bottom line: Waisglass jumped into ASL with genuine commitment, but her fluency level remains a fan question, not a confirmed credential.

The pattern: her dedication to the role extends beyond performance into skill-building.

Confirmed facts

  • Born July 3, 1998 in Toronto (IMDb)
  • Height 5’4¾” (1.65 m) (IMDb)
  • Acting since age 7 (IMDb bio)
  • Notable roles: Overruled!, Degrassi, Ginny & Georgia (Famous Birthdays)

What’s unclear

  • Current relationship status (no public confirmation)
  • Whether she has industry family connections (no evidence of nepo baby status)
  • Extent of ASL fluency (learned for role, not known if fully fluent)
  • Instagram followers count: 2 million (reported by Famous Birthdays but not verified as current)
  • Whether she is related to Leighton Meester (Wikipedia states no relationship, but social media rumors persist)

Quotes from Sara Waisglass and co-stars

“I did not know much ASL before Ginny & Georgia. I only knew how to sign my name.”

— Sara Waisglass, interview with Seventeen

“We were honored to portray an ASL family. It’s such an important representation.”

— Felix Mallard (co-star), speaking to Decider

The quotes underline a common theme: Waisglass and her castmates took the ASL element seriously, treating it as both craft and responsibility.

For young actors in Toronto wondering how to break into the industry without connections, Waisglass’s story offers a concrete answer: take the small roles, learn the craft, and wait for the right part. Her path wasn’t paved by privilege—it was earned one audition at a time. The trade-off is slower recognition, but the foundation is real.

For those interested in further details about her life and career, you can find more about Sara Waisglass on a dedicated page.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sara Waisglass’s role in Ginny & Georgia?

She plays Maxine “Mang” Baker, the best friend of the main character Ginny. Maxine is known for her loud personality, loyalty, and style.

How old is Sara Waisglass?

She was born on July 3, 1998, making her 27 years old as of 2025 (Famous Birthdays).

What is Sara Waisglass’s height?

Her listed height is 5’4¾” (1.65 m), according to IMDb.

Does Sara Waisglass have siblings?

There is no public information about siblings. Her family is not in the entertainment industry.

Is Sara Waisglass on Instagram?

Yes, her handle is @sarawais and she has over 2 million followers (Famous Birthdays).

What other shows has Sara Waisglass been in?

She starred in Overruled! (2010–2011) and Degrassi: Next Class (2015–2016), and also appeared in Teen Wolf and the film The Holiday Calendar (Famous Birthdays).

Who is LGBT in Ginny & Georgia?

Maxine Baker is openly bisexual in the series, and her sexuality is a recurring storyline. Sara Waisglass has discussed the importance of that representation in interviews.

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