Janel Parrish

About Janel Parrish

Born October 30, 1988, Janel Parrish is an American performer, recognized for her roles both on screen and in song. Her most prominent television work includes her portrayal of Mona Vanderwaal in the popular mystery series Pretty Little Liars and its subsequent offshoot, Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. Before her television success, Parrish graced the Broadway stage as Young Cosette in a 1996 production of Les Misérables. She also took on the role of Jade in the 2007 teen film Bratz. In 2014, Parrish showcased her dancing talents on the 19th season of Dancing with the Stars, ultimately securing a third-place finish. Her filmography also includes an appearance in the 2018 Netflix movie To All the Boys I've Loved Before.

Parrish's roots are in Honolulu, Hawaii, where her mother, Joanne (née Mew), of Han Chinese heritage, and her father, Mark Phillip Parrish, of European descent, raised her. She has an older sister, Melissa Nohelani, who is eight years her senior and has served in the U.S. Army. Both of Parrish's parents were accomplished bodybuilders, and her mother was employed at a Honolulu health club.

A pivotal moment for Parrish occurred at age six when, after witnessing a performance of The Phantom of the Opera at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center, she developed a passion for performing. This led her to begin playing the piano and, within a year, she was also immersed in acting, singing, and various dance styles including tap and jazz. She found success in local talent competitions, becoming a familiar face to residents of Oahu. At the age of 14, Parrish participated in the 2003 revival of Star Search, delivering a performance of "On My Own" from Les Misérables. Her early education included attendance at Moanalua Elementary School and Moanalua High School for her freshman year. She resided in Kaneohe, Hawaii, until she was 14, at which point her family relocated to Burbank, California, to support her burgeoning entertainment career. To manage her work commitments, Parrish then transitioned to being homeschooled.