Ian Warden of The Canberra Times described Spike as a "lynchpin" of the series. Stepto was frequently recognized and mobbed by fans. Personal life Stepto graduated from the University of Toronto with a bachelor's degree in history and political science. She briefly resided in Japan to teach English during the late 1990s. She has stated she is an advocate for animal rights, and a vegetarian. She cites Morrissey, as well as the Smiths album Meat Is Murder, as a form of validation for her vegetarianism, noting: "I reveled in finding an artist that spoke to me in that way." During the 1990s, she was the manager of the clothing store Shakti, located in the Kensington Market, and operated a jewelry booth at Lollapalooza with co-star Cathy Keenan. In 2009, she began performing as a DJ in Toronto under the name "DJ Demanda" with former co-star Stacie Mistysyn, who went under the name "Mistylicious". As of 2017, Stepto resided in Ireland. Award nominations Stepto has been nominated twice for her role as Christine "Spike" Nelson in Degrassi. In 1990, along with her co-stars, she was nominated for the Young Artist Award for Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast for Degrassi Junior High. In 1992, she was nominated for the Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role for Degrassi High. She appeared as a celebrity presenter at the ceremony. Filmography Film Television Theater Notes References Sources External links Amanda Stepto interview with Degrassi.ca 1970 births Actresses from Montreal Anglophone Quebec people Canadian adoptees Canadian child actresses Canadian expatriates in Ireland Canadian film actresses Canadian people of American descent Canadian television actresses Canadian DJs Etobicoke School of the Arts alumni Living people People associated with Planned Parenthood Sex education advocates UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors University of Toronto alumni