Shay Mitchell Canadian actress and model. Date of Birth: 10.04.1978 Country: Canada

Biography of Shay Mitchell

Shay Mitchell, born Shannon Ashley Mitchell on April 10, 1987, in Mississauga, Ontario, is a Canadian actress and model. She is most well-known for her role as Emily Fields in the television series "Pretty Little Liars" on Freeform. Mitchell has stated that she prefers not to label herself when it comes to her sexual preferences.

Mitchell's parents, Prischess Garcia and Mark Mitchell, both work in the financial industry. Her father has Scottish and Irish ancestry, while her mother is Filipino from the province of Pampanga. Mitchell also has a younger brother named Sean, who was born in 1996. She is a distant niece of Lea Salonga, the Tony Award-winning actress known for her role as Kim in the musical "Miss Saigon."

From a young age, Mitchell was interested in the performing arts and expressed her desire to pursue recognition in the field. She began taking dance lessons at the age of five and participated in competitions throughout her hometown. When Mitchell was 10 years old, her family relocated to West Vancouver, British Columbia.

Less than a year after the move, Mitchell auditioned for an international modeling agency for teenage girls and was selected as one of the winners. She attended Rockridge Secondary School before transferring to West Vancouver Secondary School, where she graduated.

Mitchell adopted the nickname "Shay" professionally, inspired by her admiration for Jennifer Lopez, also known as "J.Lo." As a teenager transitioning into adulthood, Mitchell launched a successful modeling career, participating in advertising campaigns in various cities, including Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Barcelona. However, she later moved to Toronto to study acting.

After signing her first contract with an acting agency, Mitchell appeared in the Canadian series "Degrassi: The Next Generation" and several national commercials. In December 2009, she joined the cast of the television series "Pretty Little Liars," based on the book series by Sara Shepard. Initially auditioning for the role of Spencer Hastings, the part eventually went to Troian Bellisario. Mitchell portrays Emily Fields, a professional swimmer who later realizes her non-traditional sexual orientation. She has expressed her frustration with constantly being asked about playing a lesbian character, stating that no one asks other actresses about kissing boys.

Originally planned for only 10 episodes, "Pretty Little Liars" gained high ratings and was extended. As of December 2016, the show is in its seventh season. In 2016, Mitchell appeared in the comedy-drama film "Mother's Day" alongside Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, and Kate Hudson. She also starred in the musical film "Dreamland" directed by Robert Schwartzman.

Mitchell dated stylist Ryan Good, known for his work with Justin Bieber. In January 2011, she signed a contract with Procter & Gamble and became the face of the "Pantene Nature Fusion" shampoo line. Mitchell has also endorsed brands such as American Eagle, Nike, and Biore.

In addition to her acting career, Mitchell co-authored the novel "Bliss" with Michaela Blaney, targeting young readers. The book was released in 2015. She also runs her own YouTube channel, where she shares insights into her lifestyle.

Mitchell has supported non-profit organizations such as the Somaly Mam Foundation, which fought against sex trafficking until 2014. She has also been involved in projects like "The Trevor Project" and "The NOH8 Campaign," advocating for the LGBTQ+ community.

In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Mitchell stated that she can fall in love with both men and women. As of March 2016, she was dating a man but expressed openness to the possibility of her preferences changing in the future, emphasizing the importance of love without labels.