Shannon Ashley Mitchell, simply called Shay, was born in April 28, 1987, in Missasagua, Ontario. She is a Canadian actress, model, author, and entrepreneur who is popular for her character in the TV show, Pretty Little Liars. She plays Emily Fields, one of the five girls that are bonded by friendship and tormented by a mystery stalker that goes by “A.” She has also starred in a couple of movies and music videos.
As early as five years old, Shay started taking dancing lessons and has already declared her desires of pursuing a career in performing arts. She participated and won in different competitions around the Missasagua. When she was ten, her family moved to West Vancouver, British Columbia where she studied at Rockridge Secondary School but later on transferred to West Vancouver Secondary School. No less than a year after they moved to West Vancouver, Shay was chosen by an international modeling agency.
Family of Shay Mitchell
Mark Mitchell
Shay comes from a Scottish-Irish-Filipino bloodline. Her father, Mark Mitchell is a Scottish-Irish man that works in finance. He married Shay’s mother in October 23, 1983.
Precious Mitchell
Her mother, Precious Mitchell (née Garcia) is pure Filipino that immigrated when she was only nineteen years of age. She used to live in Pampanga, Philippines. Like Shay’s father, she also works in finance.
Sean Mitchell
Shay’s youngest sibling is Sean Mitchell and he is about three years younger than her. He plays the drums for the Canadian band, “Redrick Sultan” under Inky Records.
Lea Salonga
Not known to many, but Shay is the niece of the Tony Award-Winning theater actress, Lea Salonga. She is the first cousin of Shay and she describes Lea’s visit to their home as “amazing because there she was, the voice of Jasmine in Aladdin, in my house!”
Relationships of Shay Mitchell
Ryan Silverstein
Shay and Ryan got together in 2014 and were seen on multiple occasions together, including their double date with Shay’s best friend, Ashley Benson and Ryan Goodman. Cute and romantic pictures were shared mostly on Ryan’s Instagram. He is the best friend of Drake and appeared in his “Started from the Bottom” music video. He also works under OVO Records, the label of the rapper. The couple split a year after they publicly dated.
Brandon Kaplan
For a brief period around early 2015, Shay and Brandon were spotted in Madison Square watching a basketball game. Sweet pictures of the two can also be seen in Brandon’s Instagram. He is also a friend of Drake.
Matte Babel
In early 2017, rumors sparked about Shay and Matte dating. Snap videos and Instagram stories show the two going out. In fact, one of Shay’s Instagram stories shows Matte carrying all her luggage as they board the plane out of Marrakesh, Morrocco. Matte Babel is a Canadian TV host and music reporter. He is a close friend of Drake and his assistants, including Ryan Silverstein, Shay’s ex-boyfriend.
ButtahBenzo and Friendship with Ashley Benson
Since the start of Pretty Little Liars, Shay and Ashley have been attached to the hip. They have dubbed themselves as ButtahBenzo for Shay Buttah (butter) and Ash Benzo (from her family name). The two along, with their then boyfriends, were vacationing in Maui, Hawaii in 2014. They first met during auditions for Pretty Little Liars and have grown closer as they started filming.
Achievements and Career
During her teenage years, Shay modeled in different Asian countries particularly, Bangkok and Hongkong. She also modeled in Barcelona, Spain. After her modeling commitment, she went back to Toronto and studied acting where she was signed by her first agency. She did a minor role in one episode of Degrassi: The Next Generation and scored some local commercials. Aside from those, she also did some minor role in Rookie Blue and Aaron Stone.
Her big break started when she was signed in December 2009 by the broadcasting network, ABC now Freeform. Her role in Pretty Little Liars catapulted Shay into the popular list. Together, they received the “Cast to Watch Award” in 2011. From there, Shay started appearing in music videos like Sean Paul’s Hold My Hand, Nick Jonas’ Under You, and Why Don’t We’s Help Me Help You. She also appeared in an episode of Punk’d.
Shay also started appearing in short films like Immediately Afterlife with co-star Troian Bellisario and in bigger movies like Mother’s Day, directed by Gary Marshall. Her film Cadaver is set to be released in August 2017. She plays the role of Megan Reed alongside another Canadian actress, Stana Katic.
In 2011, Shay was signed to be the spokesperson of P&G’s “Pantene Nature Fusion.” She also endorses brands like American Eagle, Nike, Biore, Acuvue, Carmex, Smashbox, and Quay Australia.
Aside from her works in the entertainment industry, Shay also runs her own YouTube channel where she posts her travel videos, cooking samples, and even her day on the set of Pretty Little Liars. She also co-wrote a book titled “Bliss” with her best friend Michaela Blaney in 2015. Shay used to run her own website, with Michaela until it was put in hiatus.
Social Work
Shay supports multiple campaigns and organizations. She is actively supporting Somaly Mam Foundation and even flew to Africa for it. She also supports The Trevor Project, NOH8 Campaign, WE Charity, and GLAAD.
Net Worth
From her all her work in the industry plus her own personal income, Shay has a net worth of $4 million.