Janel Parrish is a talented American actress and singer, widely recognized for her captivating portrayal of Mona Vanderwaal in the popular television series Pretty Little Liars, which premiered in 2010.
Born Janel Meilani Parrish on October 30, 1988, in the beautiful city of Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, to loving parents Joanne (Mew) and Mark Phillip Parrish, Janel's family heritage is a blend of Chinese and Caucasian roots. Her older sister, Melissa Nohelani, is eight years her senior.
At the tender age of six, Janel began taking piano lessons, and within a year, she also started studying acting, singing, tap dance, and jazz dance. Her early education took place at Moanalua Elementary and Moanalua High School, but she decided to leave school after the ninth grade to be homeschooled.
When Janel was just 14 years old, she made the bold decision to move to Los Angeles with her family. The same year, she entered the prestigious talent competition Star Search in 2003, but unfortunately, did not progress beyond the first round.
Janel's journey in the world of acting began in 1996 when she landed the role of Young Cosette in the iconic musical "Les Misérables", initially performing in the U.S. national tour and later transferring to the Broadway production. She then went on to make guest appearances in various television series before landing her breakthrough role as Jade in Bratz in 2007.
Three years later, Janel secured her most notable role to date, Mona Vanderwaal, in Pretty Little Liars in 2010. Her outstanding performance earned her four Teen Choice Awards throughout the series' run.
Beyond her acting career, Janel has also made a name for herself in the world of music. In 2007, she released her first single as a singer-songwriter through Geffen Records. Additionally, Janel participated in the nineteenth season of Dancing with the Stars in 2005, where she impressively finished third.
Throughout her remarkable journey, Janel Parrish has consistently showcased her impressive range as an actress, singer, and dancer, solidifying her position as a talented and versatile performer in the entertainment industry.
