Challen Michelle Cates (born September 28, 1969, in Roanoke, Virginia) is an American independent film producer and actress best known for playing a role in the movie Monte Carlo and portraying Mrs. Knight on the TV series, Big Time Rush. She has been the executive producer of two American independent films A Fare To Remember (1998) and The A-List (2001). In addition to producing, she has also played the main character in both movies.