Janel Parrish
Encyclopedia
Janel Meilani Parrish is an American
actress, singer, Broadway performer
, songwriter
and pianist
. She is best known for playing Jade
in the 2007 film Bratz: The Movie
and her recurring role as Mona Vanderwaal on the ABC Family
series Pretty Little Liars
.
, and later portrayed "Young Cosette" in the Broadway production as well; the role showcased both her acting and singing abilities. She subsequently appeared in several community theater productions in Hawaii—most notably as "Scout" in Manoa Valley Theatre's revival of "To Kill A Mocking Bird" in 1998.
She got her first off-stage acting job as a minor role in 1999's four-part miniseries
Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke
. Shortly after, she appeared in two episodes of Baywatch
as a young girl named Hina. In 2000 she was featured in Disney's
made-for-TV live-action incarnation of the Pinocchio
story entitled Geppetto. She then went on to appear as the character Vanessa in the short-lived sitcom The O'Keefes
, as well as appearing in many Disney shows and made-for-TV movies on the Disney channel. Along with appearances on The Bernie Mac Show
, Zoey 101
and The O.C.
One of her recent acting roles has been the theatrical Bratz
motion picture, as one of the main characters, Jade
. It is her first role in a theatrical motion picture as well as her first starring role. She has also landed a recurring role in the hit NBC
series Heroes
.
Janel began playing piano
at age six. At age 14, on January 3, 2003, she appeared on the 2003 remake of Star Search
, performing the song "On My Own". The judges were Naomi Judd
, Ben Stein
, Carol Leifer
, and Jack Osbourne
. Stein commented that she had a "lot of talent, but not quite up to the top rank", giving her four stars, along with Osbourne who simply called her performance "good" and also gave her four stars. Leifer remarked that she had a "great Broadway voice" giving her three stars. Finally, Judd was the least generous, stating "You have a future in musicals, but you have some work to do. You've got some practicing to do" and giving her two stars. Janel was eliminated after this performance in favor of competitor Tiffany Evans
who received a perfect five stars from all four judges.
In 2007, she was signed to Geffen Records
to produce her first album. Her first single, "Rainy Day", one that she has written, along with its music video, was released on July 7, 2007, and was also featured on the Bratz Motion Picture Soundtrack
. She also makes a brief appearance in Prima J's
"Rockstar" music video, which is also on the soundtrack. She also made an appearance in NLT
's "She Said, I Said" music video. She provided background vocals for the song.
Parrish was cast in a recurring as Mona Vanderwaal in the ABC Family
TV series Pretty Little Liars
based on the book series
by Sara Shepard
.On May 28, 2011 She has been promoted into series regular in Pretty Little Liars
.
She made her music debut in the Bratz: The Movie
credits, with her electro-pop song, Rainy Day
.
, Hawaii
, to Mark Parrish, who is of European-American descent, and Joanne, who is of Han Chinese
ancestry. Parrish is close friends with her Bratz co-star, Skyler Shaye
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress, singer, Broadway performer
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
. She is best known for playing Jade
Bratz
Bratz is an American line of fashion dolls and merchandise manufactured by MGA Entertainment. Four original 10" dolls were released in 2001 - Cloe, Jade, Sasha and Yasmin...
in the 2007 film Bratz: The Movie
Bratz: The Movie
Bratz: The Movie is a live-action feature film based on the Bratz line of cartoon characters and dolls. It was released to American theaters on August 3, 2007. It was co-produced by MGA Entertainment, Avi Arad Productions, and Crystal Sky Pictures teamed up. Crystal Sky Pictures financed the film,...
and her recurring role as Mona Vanderwaal on the ABC Family
ABC Family
ABC Family, stylized as abc family, is an American television network, owned by ABC Family Worldwide Inc., a subsidiary of the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company...
series Pretty Little Liars
Pretty Little Liars (TV series)
Pretty Little Liars is an American mystery-thriller teen drama television series created by Marlene King. Based on the popular series of novels written by Sara Shepard, the show premiered on June 8, 2010 on ABC Family...
.
Career
Parrish first achieved fame in Hawaii as the winner of local talent contests. She got her start as a professional entertainer when she was cast as "Young Cosette" in the National Touring Company of Les MisérablesLes Misérables (musical)
Les Misérables , colloquially known as Les Mis or Les Miz , is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo....
, and later portrayed "Young Cosette" in the Broadway production as well; the role showcased both her acting and singing abilities. She subsequently appeared in several community theater productions in Hawaii—most notably as "Scout" in Manoa Valley Theatre's revival of "To Kill A Mocking Bird" in 1998.
She got her first off-stage acting job as a minor role in 1999's four-part miniseries
Miniseries
A miniseries , in a serial storytelling medium, is a television show production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. The exact number is open to interpretation; however, they are usually limited to fewer than a whole season. The term "miniseries" is generally a North American term...
Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke
Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke
Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke is a four-part miniseries that first aired on CBS in 1999 staring motion picture legend Lauren Bacall and Richard Chamberlain. It is based on the book The Richest Girl In The World: by Stephanie Mansfield. In addition to Bob Colacello's profile of Ms...
. Shortly after, she appeared in two episodes of Baywatch
Baywatch
Baywatch is an American action drama series about the Los Angeles County Lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles County, California, starring David Hasselhoff. The show ran in its original title and format from 1989 to 1999, sans the 1990-1991 season, of which it was not in production...
as a young girl named Hina. In 2000 she was featured in Disney's
Walt Disney Pictures
Walt Disney Pictures is an American film studio owned by The Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney Pictures and Television, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Studios and the main production company for live-action feature films within the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, based at the Walt Disney...
made-for-TV live-action incarnation of the Pinocchio
Pinocchio
The Adventures of Pinocchio is a novel for children by Italian author Carlo Collodi, written in Florence. The first half was originally a serial between 1881 and 1883, and then later completed as a book for children in February 1883. It is about the mischievous adventures of Pinocchio , an...
story entitled Geppetto. She then went on to appear as the character Vanessa in the short-lived sitcom The O'Keefes
The O'Keefes
The O'Keefes is an American television sitcom, that aired on The WB Television Network. It premiered on May 22, 2003 and ended on June 12, 2003.-Premise:...
, as well as appearing in many Disney shows and made-for-TV movies on the Disney channel. Along with appearances on The Bernie Mac Show
The Bernie Mac Show
The Bernie Mac Show is an American sitcom featuring comic actor Bernie Mac and his wife Wanda raising his sister's three kids: Jordan, Bryana and Vanessa. The show aired for five seasons , concluding with a half-hour series finale on Fox....
, Zoey 101
Zoey 101
Zoey 101 is an American television series that ran from January 9, 2005 to May 2, 2008 starring Jamie Lynn Spears as teenager Zoey Brooks, produced for Nickelodeon and syndicated worldwide. The show was initially filmed at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, then at stages in Valencia,...
and The O.C.
The O.C.
The O.C. is an American teen drama television series that originally aired on the Fox television network in the United States from August 5, 2003, to February 21, 2007, running a total of four seasons...
One of her recent acting roles has been the theatrical Bratz
Bratz: The Movie
Bratz: The Movie is a live-action feature film based on the Bratz line of cartoon characters and dolls. It was released to American theaters on August 3, 2007. It was co-produced by MGA Entertainment, Avi Arad Productions, and Crystal Sky Pictures teamed up. Crystal Sky Pictures financed the film,...
motion picture, as one of the main characters, Jade
Bratz
Bratz is an American line of fashion dolls and merchandise manufactured by MGA Entertainment. Four original 10" dolls were released in 2001 - Cloe, Jade, Sasha and Yasmin...
. It is her first role in a theatrical motion picture as well as her first starring role. She has also landed a recurring role in the hit NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
series Heroes
Heroes (TV series)
Heroes is an American science fiction television drama series created by Tim Kring that appeared on NBC for four seasons from September 25, 2006 through February 8, 2010. The series tells the stories of ordinary people who discover superhuman abilities, and how these abilities take effect in the...
.
Janel began playing piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
at age six. At age 14, on January 3, 2003, she appeared on the 2003 remake of Star Search
Star Search
Star Search is a television show that was produced from 1983-95, hosted by Ed McMahon, and created by Alfred Masini. A relaunch was produced in 2003-04. The show was originally filmed at the old Earl Carroll Theatre at 6230 Sunset Blvd...
, performing the song "On My Own". The judges were Naomi Judd
Naomi Judd
Naomi Judd is an American country music singer, songwriter, and activist.-Personal life:She was born Diana Ellen Judd to Charles Glen Judd and his wife Pauline Judd on January 11, 1946, in Ashland, Kentucky. Her father owned a gas station; her mother started out as a homemaker but later became a...
, Ben Stein
Ben Stein
Benjamin Jeremy "Ben" Stein is an American actor, writer, lawyer, and commentator on political and economic issues. He attained early success as a speechwriter for American presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford...
, Carol Leifer
Carol Leifer
Carol Leifer is an American comedian, writer, producer and actor whose career as a stand-up comedian started in the 1970s when she was in college. David Letterman discovered her performing in a comedy club in the 1980s and she has since been a guest on Late Night With David Letterman over...
, and Jack Osbourne
Jack Osbourne
Jack Joseph Osbourne is an English media personality, best known as the son of musician Ozzy Osbourne and music manager Sharon Osbourne, and brother of Aimee and Kelly Osbourne.-Early life and family:...
. Stein commented that she had a "lot of talent, but not quite up to the top rank", giving her four stars, along with Osbourne who simply called her performance "good" and also gave her four stars. Leifer remarked that she had a "great Broadway voice" giving her three stars. Finally, Judd was the least generous, stating "You have a future in musicals, but you have some work to do. You've got some practicing to do" and giving her two stars. Janel was eliminated after this performance in favor of competitor Tiffany Evans
Tiffany Evans
Tiffany Evans is an American singer and occasional actress.-2003–2006: The Beginning:Evans was born in Bronx, New York and is the seventh of 10 children born to Carol and Lonnie Evans. Before she achieved success, she and her family were living in their van for years. She got her first break on...
who received a perfect five stars from all four judges.
In 2007, she was signed to Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
to produce her first album. Her first single, "Rainy Day", one that she has written, along with its music video, was released on July 7, 2007, and was also featured on the Bratz Motion Picture Soundtrack
Bratz: Motion Picture Soundtrack
Bratz: Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack to the live-action theatrical film Bratz. It features songs from and inspired by the film by various artists, including the Bratz themselves. The "Bratz" are Janel Parrish , Skyler Shaye , Logan Browning and Nathalia Ramos...
. She also makes a brief appearance in Prima J's
Prima J
Prima J is an American musical group, composed of cousins Jessica and Janelle Martinez. Jessica, born on May 25, 1988, and Janelle, born on August 26, 1988, came up with the stagename "Prima J" by taking the letter "J" out of their first names, and the spanish word "prima" , and put it...
"Rockstar" music video, which is also on the soundtrack. She also made an appearance in NLT
NLT (band)
NLT was an American boy band whose members were Travis Michael Garland, Kevin McHale, Justin Joseph "JJ" Thorne, and Vahe "V" Sevani. They were discovered by Chris Stokes, who signed them to his TUG Entertainment label in 2006.-History:On March 13, 2007, they released their debut single, "That Girl"...
's "She Said, I Said" music video. She provided background vocals for the song.
Parrish was cast in a recurring as Mona Vanderwaal in the ABC Family
ABC Family
ABC Family, stylized as abc family, is an American television network, owned by ABC Family Worldwide Inc., a subsidiary of the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company...
TV series Pretty Little Liars
Pretty Little Liars (TV series)
Pretty Little Liars is an American mystery-thriller teen drama television series created by Marlene King. Based on the popular series of novels written by Sara Shepard, the show premiered on June 8, 2010 on ABC Family...
based on the book series
Pretty Little Liars
Pretty Little Liars is a series of more than 10 young adult novels by Sara Shepard, from 1981–present, which have been made into a television show . The series follows the lives of four girls — Spencer, Hanna, Aria, and Emily — whose clique falls apart after the disappearance of their leader,...
by Sara Shepard
Sara Shepard
Sara Shepard is an American author known for the bestselling Pretty Little Liars series of young-adult novels.-Biography:Shepard graduated from Downingtown West High School in Downingtown, Pennsylvania in 1995, and got her undergraduate degree from New York University. She later received an MFA...
.On May 28, 2011 She has been promoted into series regular in Pretty Little Liars
Pretty Little Liars
Pretty Little Liars is a series of more than 10 young adult novels by Sara Shepard, from 1981–present, which have been made into a television show . The series follows the lives of four girls — Spencer, Hanna, Aria, and Emily — whose clique falls apart after the disappearance of their leader,...
.
She made her music debut in the Bratz: The Movie
Bratz: The Movie
Bratz: The Movie is a live-action feature film based on the Bratz line of cartoon characters and dolls. It was released to American theaters on August 3, 2007. It was co-produced by MGA Entertainment, Avi Arad Productions, and Crystal Sky Pictures teamed up. Crystal Sky Pictures financed the film,...
credits, with her electro-pop song, Rainy Day
Rainy Day
Rainy Day may refer to:*Rainy Day , a Paisley Underground band from the 1980s containing an all-star line-up of members from four other bands in the same sub-genre*Rainy Day , a painting by Gustave Caillebotte...
.
Personal life
Parrish was born on October 30, 1988 in OahuOahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, to Mark Parrish, who is of European-American descent, and Joanne, who is of Han Chinese
Han Chinese
Han Chinese are an ethnic group native to China and are the largest single ethnic group in the world.Han Chinese constitute about 92% of the population of the People's Republic of China , 98% of the population of the Republic of China , 78% of the population of Singapore, and about 20% of the...
ancestry. Parrish is close friends with her Bratz co-star, Skyler Shaye
Skyler Shaye
Skyler Anna Shaye is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Cloe in Bratz: The Movie.- Acting career :...
.
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1999 | Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke is a four-part miniseries that first aired on CBS in 1999 staring motion picture legend Lauren Bacall and Richard Chamberlain. It is based on the book The Richest Girl In The World: by Stephanie Mansfield. In addition to Bob Colacello's profile of Ms... |
unknown | uncredited |
| 2000 | Geppetto Geppetto (TV musical) Geppetto is a 2000 made-for-television remake of the popular children’s book The Adventures of Pinocchio starring Drew Carey and Julia Louis-Dreyfus... |
Featured | |
| 2007 | Bratz: The Movie Bratz: The Movie Bratz: The Movie is a live-action feature film based on the Bratz line of cartoon characters and dolls. It was released to American theaters on August 3, 2007. It was co-produced by MGA Entertainment, Avi Arad Productions, and Crystal Sky Pictures teamed up. Crystal Sky Pictures financed the film,... |
Jade Bratz Bratz is an American line of fashion dolls and merchandise manufactured by MGA Entertainment. Four original 10" dolls were released in 2001 - Cloe, Jade, Sasha and Yasmin... |
Main Role |
| 2009 | Fired Up! | Lana | |
| 2009 | Triple Dog | Cecily | |
| 2009 | April Showers | Vicky | |
| 2010 | One Kine Day | Leilani | |
| 2010 | Knots | Hoku | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1999 | Baywatch Baywatch Baywatch is an American action drama series about the Los Angeles County Lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles County, California, starring David Hasselhoff. The show ran in its original title and format from 1989 to 1999, sans the 1990-1991 season, of which it was not in production... |
Hina | 2 episodes |
| 2003 | The O'Keefes The O'Keefes The O'Keefes is an American television sitcom, that aired on The WB Television Network. It premiered on May 22, 2003 and ended on June 12, 2003.-Premise:... |
Vanessa | 1 episode |
| 2004 | The Bernie Mac Show The Bernie Mac Show The Bernie Mac Show is an American sitcom featuring comic actor Bernie Mac and his wife Wanda raising his sister's three kids: Jordan, Bryana and Vanessa. The show aired for five seasons , concluding with a half-hour series finale on Fox.... |
Laura | 1 episode |
| 2006 | Zoey 101 Zoey 101 Zoey 101 is an American television series that ran from January 9, 2005 to May 2, 2008 starring Jamie Lynn Spears as teenager Zoey Brooks, produced for Nickelodeon and syndicated worldwide. The show was initially filmed at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, then at stages in Valencia,... |
Sara | 1 episode: The Silver Hammer Society |
| 2006 | The O.C. The O.C. The O.C. is an American teen drama television series that originally aired on the Fox television network in the United States from August 5, 2003, to February 21, 2007, running a total of four seasons... |
Leah | 1 episode |
| 2007 | TRL | Herself | Guest |
| 2007 - 2008 | Heroes Heroes (TV series) Heroes is an American science fiction television drama series created by Tim Kring that appeared on NBC for four seasons from September 25, 2006 through February 8, 2010. The series tells the stories of ordinary people who discover superhuman abilities, and how these abilities take effect in the... |
May | 3 episodes |
| 2009 | True Jackson, VP True Jackson, VP True Jackson, VP is an American television sitcom that aired on Nickelodeon from November 8, 2008 to August 20, 2011. The series starred Keke Palmer, Ashley Argota, Matt Shively, Danielle Bisutti, Greg Proops, Robbie Amell and Ron Butler. The theme song was written by Toby Gad and Keke Palmer and... |
Kyla | 2 episodes |
| 2010 – present | Pretty Little Liars Pretty Little Liars Pretty Little Liars is a series of more than 10 young adult novels by Sara Shepard, from 1981–present, which have been made into a television show . The series follows the lives of four girls — Spencer, Hanna, Aria, and Emily — whose clique falls apart after the disappearance of their leader,... |
Mona Vanderwaal | Recurring Season 1, Regular Season 2 |
Soundtrack
| Year | Film | Song | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Bratz the movie | Rainy Day | Writer/Performer |
| 2008 | Guiding Light Guiding Light Guiding Light is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running drama in television and radio history, running from 1937 until 2009... |
Won't Let You Go | Writer; uncredited |
| Guiding Light | Won't Let You Go | Performer; Uncredited | |
| 2009 | April Showers | I Won't Cry | Performer |
| The Kings of Appletown | I'm Changing | Performer |