From model to TV star, to entrepreneur , Shay Mitchell has expanded her name and brand into a career that goes far beyond the big screens.
Shay Mitchell stepped into an industry that hasn’t always reflected her identity, but rather than trying to fit into one box, she built a career that would embrace her own self and her audience.
She was born Shannon Ashley Garcia Mitchell in Ontario, Canada in 1987. Her mother is a Filipino immigrant and her father is of Scottish and Irish descent. Mitchell has spoken about navigating her mixed identity growing up, specifically in an industry that has historically lacked diversity. Before acting, Mitchell started off modeling as a teenager. She was signed with an international agency and got the opportunity to travel to cities like Hong Kong and Barcelona.
Her true breakthrough didn’t come until 2010. Mitchell was 23 years old when she was cast as Emily Fields in the hit series Pretty Little Liars which had a seven season run, turning Shay Mitchell into one of the most well known TV drama actresses at the time. Not only was Mitchell starring in a global hit, her role also was one of the first openly gay main characters in a popular teen drama, expanding her representation on screen even more.
When Pretty Little Liars was coming to an end in 2017, Mitchell took on roles in popular series’ like You and Dollface, but she also wanted to do something beyond being on television screens. So in 2018, she launched BÉIS, a travel brand focused on affordable and functional luggage. It didn’t take long for the brand to gain traction and become a huge player in the travel and lifestyle space as Mitchell reported over $200 million in annual revenue in 2023 and a 180% year-over-year increase. Most recently in 2025, Mitchell launched a skincare brand targeted towards Gen Alpha called Rini.
Along with acting, modeling, and entrepreneurship, Mitchell has also kept her millions of Instagram followers engaged with her digital presence. She has been able to develop a strong platform online where she directly interacts with her fans as she represents a new kind of celebrity. One that can carry many roles under her belt and have the ability to build and create across industries.
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