Shelley Catherine Hennig was born on January 2, 1987, in Metairie, Louisiana, U.S., to Cathy Distefano Gosset and Glenn H. Hennig Sr. She grew up in Destrehan, Louisiana, and often speaks fondly of her family. Hennig has two older brothers, whom she considers her idols and frequently credits as a major influence in her life. Though she has said she doesn't enjoy reading extensively, her passion for performing and public speaking became apparent at a young age.

Breakthrough and Career Highlights

Hennig rose to prominence through her work in television dramas and horror films. She is best known for her role as Stephanie Johnson on the daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives, a role she began in 2007. Her performance earned her a Daytime Emmy nomination, marking an early milestone in her acting career.

She later starred in The CW’s supernatural drama The Secret Circle as Diana Meade, further cementing her place as a rising actress in the genre. Her popularity continued to grow with roles in horror films, including Unfriended as Blaire and Ouija as Debbie, both of which contributed to her growing fanbase.

Hennig also gained recognition for her portrayal of Malia Tate/Hale in MTV’s cult-favorite series Teen Wolf, a role that showcased her versatility and appeal to younger audiences.

Modeling and Personal Life

Prior to her acting success, Hennig found early fame through modeling. In 2004, she won the title of Miss Louisiana Teen USA and subsequently became the first teenager from Louisiana to win the title of Miss Teen USA. Her pageant success served as a launching pad for her entertainment career and contributed to her initial visibility in the public eye.

With a height of 5 feet 8 inches and a poised on-screen presence, Hennig has been photographed for various publications and developed a strong social media following. Despite her public persona, she maintains a relatively private personal life. She publicly dated actor Jay Kenneth Johnson from 2007 to 2012, and was later linked to actors Thomas Dekker and Ben McKenzie. However, as of the latest updates, she is single and has not publicly confirmed any recent relationships.