meet the cast

Payson Keeler

Played by Ayla Kell

Character Bio

After suffering a tragic accident that leaves her with a broken back, not to mention a broken spirit, Payson's told she'll never do gymnastics again. In true Payson fashion, she turns tragedy into opportunity.

It's a tough road back, though. Payson leaves the Rock and goes to high school, where she experiences being a "normal" teenager. Through it all she holds out hope that she can be healed and that someday she'll make her Olympic dreams come true. She even begins "training in her mind," while everyone around her is convinced she'll never compete again.

Then, after hearing discouraging news from a prominent doctor, Payson begins to believe the skeptics. Then another doctor offers hope. After undergoing a very risky surgery Payson's back is healed.

Payson's confidence, however, takes a bit longer to mend. She's afraid of getting back on the bars - the sight of her accident. But when her team needs her during the meet against the Chinese, Payson steps up. She not only conquers her fear - she totally kicks butt. She rallies her team and makes everyone believe in miracles.

Look out world, Payson's back.

Actor Bio

Ayla Kell began her acting career at the tender age of four, when she made her professional stage debut in the Los Angeles Opera production of "Madame Butterfly."She has appeared in dozens of commercials and has guest starred on "Weeds," "Malcolm in the Middle," "Without a Trace" and "CSI: Miami." She also played the young Barbara Mandrell in the TV movie "The Barbara Mandrell Story." Her feature film work includes "The Omega Code," "Rebound," and "What Just Happened."Kell began seriously studying ballet at a young age and danced with American Ballet Theater at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood as 'Greta' in The Nutcracker. She completed 15 years of Royal Academy of Dance ballet training at the Los Angeles Ballet Academy and competed in the finals at the Youth America Grand Prix in New York City and was a featured dancer at Valentino's International Carousel in Tokyo, Japan.