In 2012, Mitchell made a publicized cameo on the musical drama series Glee, where she drew comparisons to actress Naya Rivera. In the same year, Mitchell created a YouTube channel, where she is best known for her lifestyle-type videos. In 2011, she signed a contract with Procter & Gamble to be the spokesperson for the Pantene Nature Fusion shampoo line. In 2010, Mitchell appeared in a four-episode arc on the Disney XD series Aaron Stone, as Irina Webber. In 2014, she was named the "Sexiest Women Alive" by Esquire magazine, and in 2015, she was included on the Maxim Hot 100 list. The role additionally established her as a sex symbol. She earned several accolades for her acting, including winning a Young Hollywood Award in 2011, earning a nomination for a People's Choice Award and receiving six nominations from the Teen Choice Awards. Mitchell garnered widespread recognition and praise for her performance, with many lauding the characterization she applied to the role. So I'm very fortunate I was able to be the one to bring Emily to life." Pretty Little Liars opened to positive reviews, and obtained a cult following. On portraying Fields, she wrote: "I think for me, it's one of the best characters that I may ever play because of the she had on so many different people. She initially auditioned for the character Spencer Hastings, for which she was rejected and the part was instead given to Troian Bellisario thereafter she tried for Emily Fields and was cast in the role. Mitchell was cast as Emily Fields in the Freeform series Pretty Little Liars, an adaptation of the book series of the same name. Also in 2009, she appeared in the music video for " Hold My Hand" by Jamaican rapper Sean Paul. Mitchell began acting in 2009, making cameo appearances on the Canadian teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation and the police drama series Rookie Blue. Mitchel (second from right), with her cast mates from Pretty Little Liars at Paleyfest in 2014 Career 2009–2015: Early work and Pretty Little Liars By her late teens, Mitchell had successfully modeled for a variety of companies in cities as varied as Bangkok, Hong Kong and Barcelona, eventually returning to Toronto to study acting. She attended Rockridge Secondary School and then later transferred to West Vancouver Secondary School where she graduated. She is a first cousin- once removed of Lea Salonga, a singer and musical theater actress. Her father is of Scottish and Irish descent and her mother, who is Filipina, is from the province of Pampanga, and left the Philippines at age 19. Mitchell was born in Mississauga, Ontario, the daughter of Precious Garcia and Mark Mitchell. 2.2 2016–present: You, Dollface, film roles and other ventures.2.1 2009–2015: Early work and Pretty Little Liars.In 2014, Esquire magazine dubbed Mitchell the "Sexiest Woman Alive", and in 2015 she appeared on the Maxim Hot 100 list. Aside from her acting, she is recognized for her media image and activism.
She went on to appear as Tina in the comedy film Mother's Day (2016), and headline the horror film The Possession of Hannah Grace (2018) as Megan Reed. Īfter appearing in a series of short films, Mitchell made her feature film debut starring as Nicole in the musical drama film Dreamland (2016).
She currently voices Alexandra Trese in the Netflix animated series Trese (2021–present). She has garnered wider recognition for starring as Peach Salinger in the psychological thriller series You (2018) and as Stella Cole in the Hulu comedy series Dollface (2019–2022). She rose to prominence for her role as Emily Fields in the mystery thriller drama series Pretty Little Liars (2010–2017), which earned her nominations for a People's Choice Award and six Teen Choice Awards. Shannon Ashley Garcia Mitchell (born April 10, 1987) is a Canadian actress, model and entrepreneur.