As a child, Alisan Porter had arguably the most recognizable hair among child actors. Playing Susan, the curly-haired adopted daughter of a homeless con artist, she became famous worldwide.
Bill (James Belushi) and his daughter Sue arrive in Detroit, broke and homeless. They survive by running scams to get food and shelter. When charming lawyer Grey (Kelly Lynch) “accidentally” hits Bill with her car, she invites him and his daughter into her luxurious home. Grey soon discovers that Curly Sue can’t read and takes the girl under her wing. But when Grey’s boyfriend calls social services, Bill and Sue’s plan is suddenly in danger…
Although the film itself did not receive great reviews from critics, Porter became highly recognizable thanks to her curly hair. Later, in interviews, it was revealed that she was not naturally curly and that her hairstyle was the result of frequent perms.
Before Curly Sue, Porter appeared in ten projects, including the Brazilian TV series Family Ties and the popular comedy Parenthood. Nevertheless, despite a promising start and being labeled a rising star, Porter disappeared from the public eye for ten years after playing Susan. At 20, she returned to the spotlight—but this time to pursue a music career.
So, what really happened to the real Curly Sue? Just like in the film, the true story had a rough beginning and a happy ending. During an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2015, Alisan Porter explained that she left Hollywood because she wanted a normal life. “I wasn’t having fun anymore. It wasn’t joyful to me, because I just wanted to do regular kid things,” she said.
According to Porter, she went to a regular high school and had a boyfriend who played on the football team. She also opened up about her struggle with addiction, noting that 2014 marked seven years of sobriety for her.
Porter shared that she had previously used cocaine and marijuana, in addition to heavy drinking and pill use. She continued to express gratitude to her partner and children for inspiring her to stay sober over the years. Overcoming her lowest point eventually led Alisan to another major breakthrough in her life.
Porter, who continued acting in local TV shows even after leaving Hollywood, found herself back in the spotlight when she competed in season 10 of The Voice in 2016—and won. To date, Alisan has released three albums, the most recent being Pink Cloud in 2019.
For six years, the artist was married to former TV actor Brian Autenrieth. They had two children together—a son, Mason Blaise, and a daughter, Aria Sage. After the divorce, Porter began dating dancer Justin De Vera. In October 2021, they welcomed their daughter, Shilo Bee.
