Shay Mitchell is a Canadian actress, entrepreneur, and influencer best known for her role as Emily Fields on the popular series Pretty Little Liars.
She has also been in popular shows such as You and Dollface, and she voiced the lead character in the Netflix animated series Trese. What is Shay Mitchell’s ethnicity, and how does it affect her identity and career?
Early Life and Family Background
Shay Mitchell was born on April 10, 1987, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, to parents Precious Garcia and Mark Mitchell, both finance professionals.
Her father has Scottish and Irish ancestry, and her mother is from the Philippines, notably Pampanga. Shay is a first cousin once removed, of Lea Salonga, a well-known singer and musical theater actress from the Philippines.
Shay spent her upbringing in Toronto, attending Rockridge Secondary School and West Vancouver Secondary School. She became interested in the performing arts at an early age and took part in several school plays and dance competitions. She also began modeling at the age of 15 and has traveled to destinations such as Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Barcelona for assignments.
Shay Mitchell Ethnicity: Exploring the Rich Tapestry!!
Shay Mitchell’s ethnicity is a combination of Filipino, Irish, and Scottish. She has stated that she is proud of her multicultural background, which has influenced her perspective and attitude.
She has also stated that she values both her Canadian and Filipino cultures and that she enjoys visiting the Philippines to learn more about her heritage.
Career and Achievements
Shay began her acting career in 2009 with cameos on Canadian sitcoms such as Degrassi: The Next Generation and Rookie Blue. She also participated in the music video for Sean Paul’s song “Hold My Hand.”
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Her breakout role occurred in 2010 when she was cast as Emily Fields in the Freeform series Pretty Little Liars, which is based on Sara Shepard’s book series of the same name. Emily is one of four major protagonists who are tormented by a mystery creature known as “A”.
She is also a lesbian who wrestles with her sexuality and identity throughout the series. Shay’s portrayal of Emily won her critical acclaim, a fan base, and nominations for a People’s Choice Award and six Teen Choice Awards.
Shay continued to work on other projects while starring in Pretty Little Liars, which aired for seven seasons till 2017. In 2016, she made her feature film debut in the musical drama Dreamland and co-starred in the comedy Mother’s Day with Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts.
After Pretty Little Liars ended, Shay went on to play additional roles in various genres. She portrayed Peach Salinger, a wealthy and deceptive socialite, in the psychological thriller series You in 2018.
She also starred in the horror film The Possession of Hannah Grace, playing Megan Reed, a former cop who experiences a demonic entity in a morgue. In 2019, she joined the Hulu comedy series Dollface as Stella Cole, the protagonist’s free-spirited and adventurous buddy.
Shay has also received recognition for her media image and activism. Esquire dubbed her the “Sexiest Woman Alive” in 2014, and she placed on Maxim’s Hot 100 list in 2015.
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