’13 Going On 30′ Famous person Christa B. Allen Displays On The Movie 20 Years Later

It’s been 20 years since audiences first fell in love with “13 Going on 30,” but for actress Christa B. Allen, the film’s heart and its heroine still feel timeless. In an exclusive interview with The Blast, Allen opened up about the lasting magic of the 2004 fan-favorite, her spiritual evolution since her Hollywood debut, and the affirmation she hopes listeners carry into the next chapter of their own lives.

Allen, who starred as Young Jenna Rink opposite Jennifer Garner’s adult version of the character, says the role continues to hold profound meaning two decades later. “Jenna still lives on in me, as she lives on in all of us,” she reflected. “That character resonates over decades because she was written with purity, with honesty, with truth.”

For Allen, “13 Going on 30” was never just a coming-of-age comedy; it was an early lesson in manifestation and faith. “Jenna’s story has inspired generations because it is pure manifestation, pure prayer,” she told The Blast. “Her dream house was a vision board made 3D.”

She added, “Her wishing dust stirred the emotion of excitement in her as she aligned with her desired future. It is The Secret. Jenna Rink jumped timelines. Jenna Rink is the original manifestation guru.”

Looking back, Allen says she often thinks about what she’d tell her 13-year-old self, or any young fan still learning to navigate growing up in a world that demands perfection. “Every young girl just needs to hear, ‘Don’t worry. It’s all going to work out. And take notes now. Your future self will cherish them,'” she shared.

It’s a simple message, but one that feels deeply aligned with Allen’s present-day voice as co-creator of “The Praydate Podcast,” where she encourages listeners to reflect, release shame, and reconnect with their inner truth.

When asked how her faith has evolved after years in the entertainment industry, Allen didn’t hesitate to share a candid reflection. “Definitely,” she said. “I see clearly now the architecture of abuse that keeps the town running. I think this is one of the reasons Hollywood as we know it is crumbling. I do think I have remained protected in many ways, and I have my faith to thank.”

And for fans who still associate her with “13 Going on 30,” Allen says she’s grateful, but she’s also ready to be seen in full. “She has evolved, she will continue to evolve,” Allen said of herself. “As we all will… together.”

That sentiment, of growth, grace, and divine timing, mirrors much of what defines “The Praydate Podcast,” her latest creative venture with writer and producer Victoria Daniel.

The show, which debuted today, on November 11, a date chosen for its spiritual significance, opens each episode with prayer before diving into raw, unfiltered conversations about everything from sexual shame and singleness to ego, faith, and self-worth.

For Allen, “The Praydate” isn’t about preaching, but it’s about presence. “The idea is that everything you do can be devotional,” she told The Blast. “Your whole life can be lived in devotion, not just the five minutes you set aside to pray.”

As our conversation turned to what she’d want listeners to carry with them, Allen shared a personal affirmation — one that feels like both a prayer and a love letter to her audience:

“I am profoundly comforted to know that I am never alone, I am never not divinely guided.

The limitless love of the Creator, who never leaves me, is my constant companion and partner in all that I do.

I am never lost, as all of the answers I seek can be found within.

There is nothing I can’t have or achieve, as The Most High is an endless force of giving and good is prepared to make real every desire in my heart.”

With grace and grounded wisdom, Christa B. Allen shows that Jenna Rink’s sparkle came not from wishing dust but from belief, and twenty years later, she’s still turning belief into purpose.