INTRODUCTION
Shay Mitchell (@shaymitchell) is a Canadian actress, lifestyle mogul, and travel entrepreneur who has masterfully parlayed her TV stardom into a business empire. While she first captured global attention in the 2010s as a “Pretty Little Liar,” she is now recognized as one of the most successful celebrity founders in the fashion space, having built BÉIS into a dominant force in the travel and luggage industry.
Birth name: Shannon Ashley Garcia Mitchell
Career
Actress, Entrepreneur, Executive Producer, Creative Director
Birthday
April 10, 1987
Age: 38
Zodiac Sign:
Aries
Birthplace: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Nationality: Canadian
HOW BIG IS Shay Mitchell ON THE NET?
Shay is a social media titan with over 36 million followers on Instagram and a massive presence on TikTok and YouTube. In 2026, her influence is at an all-time high following the massive success of the Gap x BÉIS collaboration and the launch of her new child skincare brand, Rini. She is consistently ranked as a top “convertible influencer,” meaning her audience doesn’t just watch her content—they buy her products, driving BÉIS to a valuation in the hundreds of millions.
HOW DID Shay Mitchell become famous?
Shay became a household name starring as Emily Fields on the hit series Pretty Little Liars (2010–2017). She further solidified her acting credentials as the wealthy and cunning Peach Salinger in the first season of You. However, her “second act” fame as an entrepreneur has arguably eclipsed her acting career; by documenting her world travels and identifying a gap in the market for affordable, chic luggage, she turned herself into the “Queen of Travel” and launched BÉIS in 2018.
BEFORE THE FAME
Long before the red carpets, Shay worked as a cocktail waitress in Toronto while auditioning for acting roles. She began her career as a model in her late teens, working in cities like Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Barcelona. Her first notable TV appearance was a guest spot on Degrassi: The Next Generation, where she ironically played a model—coincidentally appearing alongside future superstar and friend Drake and her future partner Matte Babel.
CLOSE WITH (ASSOCIATED);
Shay Mitchell is a central figure in the “LA-to-Europe” fashion circuit, maintaining a close-knit circle of powerhouse women including Elsa Hosk (a frequent collaborator), Ashley Benson, and Hailey Bieber. She is in a long-term partnership with Matte Babel, with whom she shares two daughters, Atlas and Rome. Professionally, she is a favorite of the Valentino and Fendi houses and is often seen in the front row of global fashion weeks alongside creators like Leonie Hanne.
