| Full Name | Sasha Pieterse |
| Age | 27 |
| Birthday | February 17, 1996 |
| Birth Place | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Spouse | Hudson Sheaffer (m. 2018) |
| Children | None |
| Height | 5‘ 6” |
| Net Worth | $2 million |
Sasha Pieterse-Sheaffer is an American actress and singer best known for her starring role as Alison DiLaurentis on the hit mystery-thriller TV series Pretty Little Liars. With her charismatic onscreen presence, musical talents, and inspirational messaging, Sasha has won over millions of fans around the world. Let‘s take a closer look at her background, achievements, interests, and what makes her so beloved.
Early Life and Career Beginnings in South Africa
Sasha was born on February 17, 1996 in Johannesburg, South Africa to parents Sean and Zizi Pieterse. She has two siblings – an older sister named Amanda and a younger sister named Kayori. Sasha became fascinated with performing at a very young age, inspired by her sister Amanda who modeled and acted.
At six years old, Sasha‘s family relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada to pursue better acting opportunities. She began training in various dance forms like ballet, jazz, hip-hop. In 2002, a six-year-old Sasha landed her first acting role in a minor guest appearance on the sitcom Family Affair.
Over the next few years, Sasha steadily booked small roles in shows like Wanted, House, and Medium as well as some minor film roles. Her first major role came in 2006 at age 10 when she was cast as Buffy in the fantasy film The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D.
Big Breakout Role on Pretty Little Liars
In 2010, Sasha achieved her big break at 14 years old when she was cast as the missing and presumed dead queen bee Alison DiLaurentis on the new ABC Family drama series Pretty Little Liars. The show centered around Alison‘s group of friends who begin receiving threatening messages after her disappearance.
Sasha‘s portrayal of the complicated, manipulative, yet charming Alison earned her widespread praise. Pretty Little Liars became a surprise hit and pop culture sensation, running for seven seasons until 2017. Through flashbacks, Sasha remained a series regular for all 160 episodes.
Her character was crucial to the overarching mystery and narrative of the show. Sasha demonstrated her immense acting range and ability to capture Alison‘s duality of being both victim and villain. Her dramatic chops, versatility, and onscreen charisma were on full display in this career-defining role.
Pursuing Her Passion for Music
In addition to acting, Sasha has cultivated a music career, showing off her stellar vocals. She released her debut single “This Country is Badass” in 2013 along with the EP Sasha Fierce. Her music style combines pop, country, and folk genres.
Some of her other popular songs include “R.P.M”, “I Can‘t Fix You”, and “High Maintenance Woman” off albums like Singles and V. Sasha has cited artists like Carrie Underwood, Sara Bareilles, and Martina McBride as vocal inspirations. She continues to write new music and release singles for her dedicated fanbase.
Recent Projects
While starring on Pretty Little Liars, Sasha continued acting in other projects as well. In 2017, she competed on Dancing with the Stars Season 25, finishing 10th place with partner Gleb Savchenko. She also starred as Sydney Railyard in the Facebook Watch drama series Limetown.
In 2022, Sasha played the lead role of Dakota Lake in the thriller film Honor Society, released on Paramount+. She has expressed excitement over this new phase of her career, saying: "I love having the opportunity to show different sides of myself through my acting."
Using Her Voice for Good Causes
Sasha uses her influential platform to speak out on causes important to her. She has been an advocate for ending bullying and body shaming, issues she has personally faced in the public eye.
Sasha became a brand ambassador for the nonprofit The Cybersmile Foundation, providing resources to cyberbullying victims. She also partnered with Girls Inc. to promote confidence in young girls after struggling with body image issues and PCOS.
Through efforts like these, she aims to spread more positivity on social media and make meaningful change. Her fans admire her honesty and activism.
Down-to-Earth Nature Endears Her to Fans
Despite entering the industry at such a young age, Sasha has always carried herself with grace and maturity. She maintains a low-key, down-to-earth persona that makes her incredibly relatable.
Sasha met her husband, model Hudson Sheaffer, on the Pretty Little Liars set in 2012. They dated for six years before getting engaged in 2015. The couple tied the knot in a gorgeous Irish castle wedding in 2018.
Away from the cameras, Sasha enjoys cooking, yoga, painting, and spending cozy time at home with her loved ones. Fans feel connected to her because she comes across as so humble, authentic, and joyful.
Why Fans Adore Sasha Pieterse
What is it about Sasha Pieterse that makes her such a beloved star with millions of devoted supporters? Here are some of the key reasons she has won over so many fans:
- Her acting range and ability to portray complicated characters authentically – "She completely transforms into every role she plays," one fan noted.
- Her melodic singing voice and emotional songwriting skills – "Sasha‘s songs are so vulnerable and powerful," commented another fan.
- Her poise and maturity despite entering the industry at such a young age – "She‘s wise beyond her years," a fan tweeted.
- Her openness about personal struggles with body image and cyberbullying – Her honesty makes her extremely relatable to fans who have faced similar issues.
- Her close relationship with Pretty Little Liars castmates that translates into natural onscreen chemistry – "The PLL girls genuinely love each other!" a fan posted.
- Her constant appreciation for her supportive fans – Sasha takes time to interact with fans online and thanks them for their dedication.
Overall, Sasha comes across as authentic, humble, talented, and driven. Her fans feel invested in her personal journey and inspired by her resilience. She maintains a close connection with her fanbase, and her popularity continues to grow.
The Future Looks Bright for Sasha
At just 27 years old, Sasha Pieterse already has over a decade of impressive achievements under her belt in both acting and music. Looking ahead, she has expressed interest in directing and taking on more diverse, complex acting roles. She also plans to keep making new music and release additional singles and EPs for fans.
No matter the future holds, Sasha has proven herself as a multi-talented force in entertainment who has the drive, creativity, and genuine spirit to keep fans invested. Her charisma, kindness, and talents will undoubtedly continue captivating audiences for many more years to come!