Aeriél Christine Gabrielle "ARI" Miranda is an American actress and model. She is best known for her recurring role as Shana Fring on Freeform's series Pretty Little Liars (2013–2015). She was first introduced as Shana on the web series, Pretty Dirty Secrets (2012), prior to appearing on Pretty Little Liars. Miranda also recurred as Lana on The Nine Lives of Chloe King and The CW series The Tomorrow People. Other roles include Straight Outta Compton (film debut) and the OWN comedy For Better or Worse.
Early life[]
Aeriél (better known as "ARI" - a name of endearment given to her by friends, followers and industry professionals) was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and has seasonally lived in Boston, Massachusetts and New Orleans, Louisiana. She was brought up by youthful parents; her mother is an African-American psychologist and fine arts enthusiast who hails from Louisiana and her father is a DJ from New Bedford, Massachusetts. Her paternal family origins are rooted in Cape Verde. She is of mixed West African, Portuguese, Creole, French, German and Jewish descent. Miranda is a Latin-Sephardic surname meaning "she who must be admired."
As a little girl, Aeriél was profoundly inspired by her Nana, who introduced cinematic classics such as "The Sound of Music", "West Side Story", "Oliver Twist", "E.T" and tons of Disney animated films to her at a young age. Thus, her interest in the performing arts was born. She studied ballet at Etgen-Atkinson Ballet School and began her theatrical journey by joining and performing in plays for the “Dallas Children's Theater.” At an early age, she adopted an affinity for music, learning to play the piano and violin. As a teen, Miranda competed in the fifth season of the Discovery Kids reality competition series Endurance as a member of the Red Team, followed by competing in a family edition of Fear Factor.
