She starred in the Disney Channel original film The Ultimate Christmas Present (2000), which won her a Young Artist Award.

She subsequently signed a contract with Disney Channel and earned widespread recognition for playing the titular character in the action film Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior (2006), and London Tipton in The Suite Life franchise (2005–2011), earning her acclaim and two Young Hollywood Awards.

[5] Her paternal grandparents were from the Xiong clan (熊; Xyooj in Hmong), but Americanized their surname to Song after arriving in the United States.

After a small role in Leave It to Beaver (1997), she appeared in the Nickelodeon television series 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd, where she played Sariffa Chung in thirteen episodes.

[16] The film centers on two teenage girls, Allison Thompson (Hallee Hirsh) and Samantha Kwan (Song), who find a weather machine and make it snow in Los Angeles.

Her 2002 appearance on The Bernie Mac Show led to her nomination for "Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series, Guest Starring Young Actress".

In Summer 2004, Song starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie Stuck in the Suburbs, portraying Natasha Kwon-Schwartz.

[20] The film is about two teenage girls living in suburbia who accidentally exchange cell phones with a famous teen singer.

[22]In 2005, Song began appearing in the role of spoiled heiress London Tipton in the Disney Channel Original Series, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.

"[6] The series is about the residents and workers at the fictional Tipton Hotel in Boston and mainly centers around the trouble-making twins, Zack and Cody Martin (Dylan and Cole Sprouse).

In the Suite Life High School Musical-themed episode, Song performed "Bop To The Top" and "Really Great".

Song's first starring role as the title character was in the 2006 Disney Channel Original Movie Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior,[33] which had over 5.7 million viewers at its premiere.

[13][34] Song was originally planned to play a supporting role, but was offered the lead after starting training in martial arts.

"[8] The film was about a Chinese-American teenager whose life is turned upside down by a visit from a young Chinese monk (Shin Koyamada); it also deals with Wendy's culture and heritage.

[35] Disney Channel executive vice president Gary Marsh called the film "Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and said of Song: "She's incredibly talented, she's smart.

[43] Song also starred as Paige in an animated television special for NBC, "Macy's Presents Little Spirit: Christmas in New York".

"[46] Also in 2009, she starred in the telefilm Special Delivery,[47] a film about a bonded courier, Maxine (Lisa Edelstein) and a troubled teen, Alice (Song).

The film is a retelling of the tragedy Romeo and Juliet and is set in a futuristic New York City where dance battles are permanently banned.

In 2010, Song joined the main cast of Columbia Pictures' The Social Network alongside Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake.

[50] Song portrayed Christy Lee, a Harvard University student who dates Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield).

[72] She was also cast in Seth Green's directorial debut Changeland,[73] on which she worked with her future husband, Macaulay Culkin.

[74][75] In August 2017, it was announced that Song would be starring in Freeform's first original holiday film, Angry Angel, which premiered November 18, 2017.

[79] In January 2019, it was announced that Song would star in the Hulu television series Dollface alongside Kat Dennings.

[82] In 2022, Song began appearing on The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, voicing news anchor Vanessa Vue.

[83] That same year, she starred as the lead character Alexa in the Amazon Freevee original movie Love Accidentally.

[97] A representative from Disney told TMZ.com, "This is an unauthorized use of Brenda Song's image and her personal attorney has issued a cease and desist to the advertiser.

[99] Song stated, "As a role model to millions of young people, I feel I have to take a stand against this company in regard to its exploitation of my image.

[105] In 2006, Song was hostess for the "A World of Change" annual charity fashion show to benefit Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services.

[108] She began hosting a Disney special daily segment called Pass the Plate in 2007, in which she helps children and their families learn more about nutrition and healthy food.

[115] In 2017, Song shared that she was in a relationship with actor Macaulay Culkin,[116] whom she met in June 2017 when they worked together on Changeland; they were seen dating the following month.