Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly paid tribute to their late Zombies costar, Carla Jeffrey, after winning big at the 2026 Kids’ Choice Awards.
“We love you so much,” Manheim, 25, told the audience in his Saturday, November 14, acceptance speech after Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires won the Watch Party category. “We want to dedicate this award to Carla Jeffrey.”
Donnelly, 26, added, “We love you, Carla!”
Manheim and Donnelly starred as Zed and Addison, respectively, in Disney Channel’s Zombies franchise. Jeffrey, who played cheerleader Bree in the first three movies, died in September at the age of 33.
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“Carla was more than a client; she was family,” a statement from Jeffrey’s talent agency read. “Our hearts are with Carla’s family and loved ones during this devastating time. We respectfully ask that their privacy be honored as they grieve this unimaginable loss. Rest beautifully, Carla. Your light will never be forgotten.”
Manheim, Donnelly and their Zombies colleagues have since been candid about grieving Jeffrey’s death.
“Love you Carlaboo, the sweetest, kindest, most loving person,” Manheim wrote via his Instagram Stories at the time.
Carla Jeffrey. Unique Nicole/Getty Images
Donnelly shared her own emotional tribute days later.
“I have been in a state of denial. I feel like I keep waiting for something before I believe it’s actually real,” she wrote via Instagram on September 3. “Carla is truly a one of a kind, the most strong-willed, beautiful person, the most contagious laugh I’ve ever heard. She deeply cares for the people she loves. Genuinely the funniest person in the entire world, just radiating positivity. I feel so lucky to know Carla Jeffery. God, there is no one like her.”
Donnelly further noted that she initially “didn’t want to post” a public social media tribute to Jeffrey.
“It just feels so strange and unnatural to me in a time so devastating, but then, I thought about what Carla would’ve wanted,” the Masked Singer alum continued. “I know she’s waiting for a post of all of us smiling, laughing, loving each other because that’s what she always did. So, here you go my beautiful Carla. Thank you for being such a huge part of my life. I love you always.”
In addition to honoring Jeffrey during Saturday’s KCAs, Manheim and Donnelly offered their gratitude to their fans for voting for Zombies 4 to take home the coveted blimp.
“This is crazy, really crazy,” Manheim mused in his speech. “I want to take it to Zombies 4. I want to take it to the message of the movie, which we shall never forget, which is acceptance, embracing others, your differences are your superpowers, be unique, be you. It’s been a crazy journey.”
