Shay Mitchell Bio, Age, Height, Boyfriend, Career, Pretty Little Liars, BÉIS, Children, Family & Facts

Shay Mitchell is a Canadian actress, model, entrepreneur, and digital content creator who has built one of the most dynamic careers of her generation. Best known for her breakout role as Emily Fields on the hit series Pretty Little Liars, Mitchell has since evolved into a savvy businesswoman, a devoted mother, and a social media powerhouse with over 33 million followers. From her early days modeling across Asia to founding the $200 million travel brand BÉIS, her journey is a masterclass in turning on-screen charisma into off-screen empire-building—all while maintaining a refreshingly honest approach to motherhood, partnership, and the pressures of modern celebrity.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Shannon Ashley Garcia Mitchell was born on April 10, 1987, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, a suburb of Toronto. Her father, Mark Mitchell, is of Scottish and Irish descent, while her mother, Precious Garcia, is Filipina—a heritage Mitchell has proudly celebrated throughout her career. She has one younger brother, Sean Mitchell.

Growing up, Mitchell was drawn to the performing arts from an early age. She began studying dance as a child and competed in international dance competitions, traveling extensively throughout her teenage years. By age 15, she had signed with a modeling agency and was working on assignments across Asia and North America—an experience she credits with broadening her worldview and building her independence.

Mitchell attended Rockridge Secondary School and later West Vancouver Secondary School in British Columbia. After high school, she enrolled at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) in Toronto, where she studied acting and media. She also trained with acting coach Andrew McIlroy in Vancouver, gaining on-camera experience through commercials for major brands like Pantene and Nike before making her television debut.

Career Journey

Early Television Work (2009)

Mitchell made her professional acting debut with a guest appearance on the iconic Canadian teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation in 2009. That same year, she appeared in Rookie Blue, another Canadian series, while continuing to book modeling and commercial work. These early roles, though small, positioned her for the breakthrough that would change everything.

Pretty Little Liars: Breakthrough Stardom (2010–2017)

In 2010, Mitchell was cast as Emily Fields in the ABC Family (later Freeform) mystery thriller Pretty Little Liars, based on Sara Shepard’s book series. The show became a cultural phenomenon, running for seven seasons and 160 episodes, and turned Mitchell and her co-stars—Lucy Hale, Ashley Benson, Troian Bellisario, and Sasha Pieterse—into household names.

As Emily Fields, Mitchell portrayed a competitive swimmer navigating high school drama, mystery, and her journey of self-discovery as a lesbian character—a role that earned her widespread praise and a devoted fanbase. The role earned her multiple Teen Choice Award nominations and a People’s Choice Award nomination in 2016.

Film Roles

You & Streaming Success (2018–2019)

Mitchell joined the cast of the Lifetime/Netflix psychological thriller You as Peach Salinger, a wealthy, manipulative best friend to Elizabeth Lail’s Beck. Though her character appeared only in Season 1, Peach became one of the show’s most memorable figures, with fans praising Mitchell’s ability to make the character simultaneously glamorous and chilling. The show’s move to Netflix after Season 1 introduced Mitchell to an even broader global audience.

Dollface & Comedy (2019–2022)

Mitchell starred as Stella Cole in the Hulu comedy series Dollface alongside Kat Dennings. The show, which ran for two seasons, explored female friendship and identity in Los Angeles, allowing Mitchell to showcase her comedic timing after years of dramatic roles.

Recent & Upcoming Projects

Entrepreneurial Ventures

BÉIS Travel (2018–Present): Mitchell’s most significant business achievement is BÉIS, the travel and lifestyle brand she launched in 2018. The brand offers affordable, functional travel bags, luggage, and accessories, with most items priced under $85. By April 2023, BÉIS had hit upward of $120 million in profitable gross revenue and was on track to break $200 million in its next fiscal year. The brand has disrupted the $17 billion travel accessories industry with its direct-to-consumer model and social media-savvy marketing.

Onda Tequila Seltzer: Mitchell co-founded Onda, a canned sparkling tequila brand, partnering with Drake’s DreamCrew management company. Her partner Matte Babel serves as Chief Brand Officer of DreamCrew and helped facilitate the collaboration. Drake reportedly became Onda’s first and best customer.

Amore & Vita Productions: Mitchell founded her own production company to develop film and television projects, giving her greater creative control behind the camera.

YouTube & Digital Media

Mitchell has built a massive digital presence, with her YouTube channel earning an estimated $94,100–$564,000 annually from ad revenue alone. Her content spans lifestyle, travel, motherhood, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her entrepreneurial journey. She previously starred in the YouTube series Almost Ready, which documented her first pregnancy.

Personal Life

Relationship with Matte Babel

Mitchell has been in a relationship with Matte Babel since January 2017. The two are both from Toronto, Ontario, and had known each other for years before romance blossomed. Babel is a television host, producer, and branding expert who has worked for MuchMusic, CP24 Breakfast, and Entertainment Tonight Canada. He currently serves as Chief Brand Officer of DreamCrew, Drake’s management and entertainment group.

The couple has been refreshingly open about their decision not to marry. Mitchell has stated repeatedly that marriage was never something she envisioned for herself:

“I’ve manifested quite a few things in my life and getting married was never something that was right for me… I think for the both of us, everything works so smoothly. He’s an incredible father, great partner, and that’s really how I see us.”

She has expressed interest in a commitment ceremony down the line—perhaps in 10 years—to celebrate their partnership, but has no interest in a legal marriage or traditional wedding.

Motherhood

Miscarriage (2018): Before welcoming her children, Mitchell suffered a miscarriage in 2018, a loss she spoke about openly to help destigmatize pregnancy loss. She wrote on Instagram that year that she lost “the child of [her] hopes and dreams.”

Atlas Noa Babel (born October 20, 2019): After a grueling 33 hours of labor, Mitchell and Babel welcomed their first daughter. The name “Atlas” came from a close friend who suggested it during a conversation, and both parents immediately knew it was perfect. Mitchell aimed to fill Atlas’s passport within her first year, traveling to Vancouver, Paris, Las Vegas, and Toronto.

Rome Babel (born May 22, 2022): Their second daughter was named Rome in honor of Mitchell’s late grandmother, Romaine, who passed away just days before Mitchell announced her pregnancy. Mitchell shared the emotional connection on Instagram: “We’re so happy you’re here Rome, named after my best friend, my soulmate, my ‘person,’ my Grandma Romaine.”

Mitchell has been candid about the challenges of parenting two children, noting that the transition from one to two was far more difficult than she anticipated. She credits her “village”—including nannies and her support team—for making her career possible, pushing back against the pressure to pretend she does it all alone.

Family Life

The family resides in Los Angeles, California. Mitchell maintains close ties to her Canadian roots and her Filipino heritage, often speaking about the importance of representing mixed-race identity in Hollywood. Her parents, Mark and Precious, have been supportive of her career from the beginning, and her brother Sean remains part of her inner circle.

Controversies

Product Misrepresentation & Art Theft Accusations

Mitchell has faced criticism from fans regarding product misrepresentation in sponsored content and social media posts. Some followers have accused her of promoting products she doesn’t actually use or misrepresenting the efficacy of items she’s paid to endorse. Additionally, she has been accused of art theft related to content shared on her platforms, though these controversies have not resulted in legal action.

Ethnicity Comments on Thirst

During her Max travel series Thirst With Shay Mitchell, Mitchell sparked controversy when she described herself as “half Irish and Spanish”—a mischaracterization of her actual heritage, which is Scottish-Irish and Filipina. Fans called out the discrepancy, noting that she had previously identified as Filipina and Scottish-Irish. The incident fueled ongoing discussions about authenticity and identity in influencer culture.

Awards & Achievements

Career Totals

• 1 win and 6 nominations across major award bodies (per IMDb)
• 33+ million Instagram followers
• BÉIS: $120M+ revenue by 2023; on track for $200M+
• YouTube: Estimated $94K–$564K annual earnings

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“If you can make me laugh, my heart is yours! I think there’s nothing more attractive than someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously.”

“Take that one thing you don’t like about yourself and more often than not that’s the one thing that makes you more special.”

“When I was in high school, I wanted to be a model… I’ve been through the worst of high school. And I want to motivate people to live the best life that they can, because we’re only here for one life.”

“I’ve manifested quite a few things in my life and getting married was never something that was right for me.”

“I like to think that they would be proud knowing that I’m out there working and doing things that make me happy. I would want that for them when they’re older.” — On her daughters

Favorites

Earnings & Net Worth

As of 2026, Shay Mitchell’s estimated net worth is approximately $8 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. However, given BÉIS’s explosive growth and her diverse income streams, some estimates place her wealth significantly higher.

Interesting Facts

• Mitchell began modeling at age 15 and traveled internationally for assignments across Asia before her acting career took off.
• She and her partner Matte Babel are both from Toronto and knew each other for years before dating.
• She suffered a miscarriage in 2018 before welcoming Atlas in 2019, and has been open about the experience to help others.
• Her daughter Atlas helped launch BÉIS’s children’s luggage line in 2023.
• She does not plan to marry Matte Babel, preferring to call him her “partner” rather than husband.
• She went skydiving to get over a breakup before meeting Babel, calling it her “ultimate fear.”
• She has been accused of art theft and product misrepresentation on social media.
• She co-founded Onda tequila seltzer with connections to Drake’s DreamCrew.
• Her grandmother Romaine inspired her second daughter’s name, Rome.
• She was nominated for a People’s Choice Award in 2016 for Favorite Cable TV Actress.

Did You Know?

• Shay Mitchell’s BÉIS brand was designed to stand alone as a solution for customers—not as “BÉIS by Shay Mitchell.” She wanted the product quality to speak for itself.
• She and her Pretty Little Liars co-stars won a Young Hollywood Award together in 2011 as the “Cast to Watch.”
• Mitchell has described her everyday style as “put together, but also comfortable,” adding that “there’s nothing worse than seeing someone chewing gum on the red carpet!”
• She is one of the few celebrities who has successfully transitioned from actress to legitimate entrepreneur with a nine-figure-revenue company.

Social Media Links

• Instagram: @shaymitchell — 33+ million followers
• TikTok: @shaymitchell — 7.7+ million followers
• YouTube: Shay Mitchell
• Twitter/X: @shaymitchell
• BÉIS Website: beistravel.com
• IMDb: Shay Mitchell

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Shay Mitchell in 2026?
Shay Mitchell was born on April 10, 1987, making her 39 years old in 2026.

What is Shay Mitchell’s net worth?
As of 2026, Shay Mitchell’s estimated net worth is approximately $8 million, though her business ventures—particularly BÉIS—may place her actual wealth significantly higher.

Is Shay Mitchell married?
No, Shay Mitchell is not married. She has been in a long-term relationship with Matte Babel since 2017, but the couple has no plans to marry.

Who is Shay Mitchell’s boyfriend?
Shay Mitchell’s partner is Matte Babel, a Canadian television host, producer, and Chief Brand Officer of Drake’s DreamCrew. They have been together since 2017 and share two daughters.

How many children does Shay Mitchell have?
Shay Mitchell has two daughters: Atlas Noa (born October 2019) and Rome (born May 2022).

What is Shay Mitchell’s ethnicity?
Shay Mitchell is of Scottish, Irish, and Filipina descent. Her father is Scottish-Irish and her mother is Filipina.

What is BÉIS?
BÉIS is Shay Mitchell’s travel and lifestyle brand, launched in 2018. It sells affordable luggage, bags, and travel accessories and has generated over $120 million in revenue.

What is Shay Mitchell’s height?
Shay Mitchell is 5’8″ (173 cm) tall.

What is Shay Mitchell famous for?
Shay Mitchell is best known for playing Emily Fields on Pretty Little Liars (2010–2017). She is also known for her roles in You, Dollface, and as the founder of BÉIS.

Did Shay Mitchell have a miscarriage?
Yes, Shay Mitchell suffered a miscarriage in 2018 before welcoming her first daughter, Atlas, in 2019. She has spoken openly about the experience.

Conclusion

Shay Mitchell’s evolution from a Toronto teenager modeling across Asia to a Hollywood starlet and now a bona fide business mogul is a story of relentless ambition and savvy reinvention. Whether she’s portraying complex characters on screen, building a $200 million travel brand, or candidly sharing the realities of motherhood with millions of followers, Mitchell refuses to be boxed in by any single identity. Her decision to prioritize partnership over marriage, her transparency about pregnancy loss, and her commitment to creating opportunities for women in business all point to a celebrity who understands that her greatest role may be the one she’s writing for herself. As BÉIS continues to soar and new acting projects emerge, Shay Mitchell proves that the modern multi-hyphenate star is here to stay.

If you enjoyed this biography, please share it with fellow Pretty Little Liars fans, entrepreneurs, and anyone inspired by her journey!