| Full Name: | Shannon Ashley Garcia Mitchell |
| Born: | April 10, 1987 in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (Age 36) |
| Parents: | Precious Garcia and Mark Mitchell |
| Siblings: | 1 younger brother, Sean Mitchell |
| Partner: | Matte Babel (since 2017) |
| Children: | Daughter Atlas Noa (b. 2019) |
| Occupation: | Actress, Model, Entrepreneur |
| Years active: | 2009–present |
| Net worth: | $8 million |
| Social Media: | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube |
Early Life and Modeling
Born Shannon Ashley Garcia Mitchell to a Filipino mother and Irish/Scottish father, Shay was raised in Toronto until age 10 when her family settled in Vancouver. As a painfully shy child, she turned to acting and dance as an escape. After high school, an aspiring model, Mitchell set off to seek work abroad at just 18 years old. She spent time posing in Hong Kong, Spain, Italy and Thailand before returning home to Canada. These formative worldly experiences inspired her book Bliss later on and built her confidence.
Move to Hollywood
Craving new challenges, Mitchell made the move to Hollywood in 2005. She funded herself by working as a waitress and cocktail server as she started the difficult process of pursuing acting. For years, she struggled through auditions and bit parts in student films, wondering if she’d ever get a big break. Refusing to give up, Mitchell kept pushing herself out of her comfort zone in hopes of achieving her dream career.
Early Acting Credits
In 2009, Mitchell finally landed her first major recurring TV role on the teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation. She played Emily Rhodes, a model and love interest to one of the main characters. Guest spots on shows like Rookie Blue and CSI: NY followed, along with appearances in Aaron Stone and the film The Family Bond. Hard work was paying off, but her star-making role was just around the corner.
Big Break with Pretty Little Liars
Cast as Emily Fields in the new ABC Family mystery series Pretty Little Liars in 2010, Mitchell’s life changed overnight. The show became a massive hit and her character quickly emerged as a fan favorite. As a devoted PLL fan herself, Mitchell was overjoyed to bring Emily to life for 7 seasons, earning multiple Teen Choice Awards in the process. She counts her castmates Lucy Hale, Troian Bellisario, Ashley Benson, and Sasha Pieterse among her dearest friends today.
Maturing as an Actress
With PLL catapulting her to fame, Mitchell began pursuing more mature acting projects. She took on roles in Mother’s Day, the Lifetime series You, and the Hulu comedy Dollface. Craving more creative control, Mitchell also launched her own production company Amore & Vita. She produced the digital series YouTubers in 2018 followed by The Heiresses in 2020. Mitchell continues to challenge herself with complex characters that showcase her versatility.
Other Endeavors
A savvy businesswoman, Mitchell debuted the travel brand Béis in 2018 and penned the book Bliss in 2017. She also became the face of Biotherm skincare and has partnered with numerous fashion and beauty companies over the years. On social media, she engages with over 30 million devoted followers. Mitchell guest hosted E! News in 2022 interviewing celebrities on the red carpet.
Personal Life
Preferring to keep her love life private, Mitchell only occasionally shares glimpses into her world off-screen. She dated actor Ryan Silverstein from 2013 to 2014 before meeting her current partner Matte Babel in late 2016. The couple welcomed daughter Atlas in October 2019 and split time between Los Angeles and Canada with their puppy Angel.
Lesser Known Fun Facts for Superfans
- Fluent in French, Spanish and Tagalog
- Competed in beauty pageants as a tween
- Avid soccer and field hockey player growing up
- Horror buff who loves The Ring and Halloween films
- Calls Amanda Seyfried her celebrity crush
- Obsessed with interior design and renovating homes
- Not a fan of cooking but loves baking cookies
- Childhood celebrity crushes were Devon Sawa and JTT
- Beauty icon is Jennifer Lopez
Why Mitchell is So Appealing
Fans are drawn to Shay‘s humble beginnings, resilience, killer work ethic, and down-to-earth demeanor. She takes pride in her multicultural background and sets an empowering example for young girls. On screen, Mitchell brings an honesty and vulnerability to every role that makes her characters feel real. With so much yet to accomplish, she remains grateful for every opportunity while always looking ahead.
The Future Is Bright
Approaching nearly 15 years in Hollywood, Mitchell is just getting started. She has expressed interest in directing and taking on grittier film projects that showcase her range. As both an actress and businesswoman, she seems destined for even greater success down the road. But no matter how high her star rises, Mitchell remains the shy, ambitious girl from Canada chasing her dreams at heart.