The social media update featured Talerico, now 14, clutching a chalkboard sign that displayed the phrase "First Day 9th Grade. 8-21-23." The actress returned to her hometown of Santa Barbara, California, after a summer retreat in Paris, to embark on this new chapter of her life. Accompanying her post were hashtags such as #highschool, #firstdayofschool, and a lighthearted nod to the realities of travel with #jetlagisreal. Fans started reacting to the milestone with one fan commenting, "It's hard to believe. I remember watching you on TV when you were just a toddler."