Honestly, if you still think of Shay Mitchell solely as the girl who played Emily Fields on Pretty Little Liars, you’re missing about 90% of the story. It’s 2026, and the landscape of celebrity has shifted so much that being "just an actress" almost feels like a side quest for her.
She’s a mogul. That’s the word.
While most of her former co-stars are navigating the usual cycle of indie films and guest spots, Shay basically built a luggage empire, survived the "You" phenomenon as the iconic Peach Salinger, and somehow found the time to launch a skincare line for kids. She’s busy. Like, "running a nine-figure business while raising two daughters and executive producing a hit crime drama" busy.
The PLL Era and the "A" of it All
Let’s go back a bit. In 2010, the world met Shannon Ashley Mitchell. She was the "sporty" one in Rosewood, the heart of the group. Playing a lesbian character on a major teen network back then was a massive deal. It wasn’t just a role; for a lot of kids, it was the first time they saw themselves on screen in a way that didn't feel like a punchline.
She almost didn't get it, though. Shay actually auditioned for the role of Spencer Hastings first. Can you imagine? Troian Bellisario eventually locked that down, and Shay became Emily. Before the show blew up, she was working as a waitress in Toronto, doing bottle service and literally practicing her lines in the coat-check room.
The show ran for seven years. Seven years of "A" texts and red coats and questionable parental supervision. By the time it wrapped in 2017, Shay was a household name, but she was already pivoting. She knew the "PLL" glow wouldn't last forever.
Why BÉIS is Actually a Genius Move
Most celebrities launch a perfume or a cheap clothing line. Shay launched a luggage company.
It started in 2018. She called it BÉIS.
The idea was simple: she traveled a ton and hated that chic luggage cost a month's rent, while affordable luggage looked like something your grandpa would take to a fishing trip. She wanted "aesthetic" but functional. We’re talking about bags with dedicated shoe compartments and "The Weekender" bags that actually fit in an overhead bin.
By early 2026, BÉIS has reportedly crossed $200 million in profitable gross revenue. Think about that. That’s not just "influencer money." That’s a legitimate retail powerhouse. She’s the Chief Brand Officer, and she’s not just a face for the brand—she’s deeply involved in the product design. Recently, she even did a collab with Chipotle for a "To Go" collection featuring a burrito holder sling. It sounds ridiculous, but it sold out. People love the "Shay" aesthetic.
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Acting Beyond Rosewood: From Peach to Trese
If you haven't seen her in You, go watch the first season right now. Peach Salinger was the polar opposite of Emily Fields. She was wealthy, manipulative, sharp-tongued, and deeply obsessed with her best friend. Shay played it with this icy, "I’m better than you" energy that stole every scene. It proved she had range.
Since then, her acting resume has been... eclectic:
- Dollface: She played Stella Cole, the wild-child best friend. It was her first big swing at a lead comedy role, and it worked.
- Trese: She voiced the lead in this Netflix animated series based on Philippine folklore. Being half-Filipino, this was a huge "full circle" moment for her.
- The Cleaning Lady: She stepped behind the camera for this one as an executive producer. It’s been a steady hit for Fox, and it shows she’s thinking about the long game in Hollywood.
Even in 2026, people still talk about her brief return as a "ghost" or hallucination in the fifth season of You. It was a tiny cameo, but the internet went feral for it.
The 2026 Update: Skincare and Family Life
Lately, Shay has been making headlines for something a bit more controversial: Rini.
It’s a skincare line for kids (specifically "Gen Alpha") that she launched with entrepreneur Esther Song. Naturally, the internet had opinions. Some people think three-year-olds don't need a skincare routine. Shay’s stance is basically that it’s about safe, science-backed formulas for kids who are already playing with their moms’ makeup.
On the personal side, she’s still with her longtime partner, Matte Babel. They’ve been together since 2017 but—despite having two daughters, Atlas and Rome—they have zero plans to get married. Shay has been super vocal about this. She’s said multiple times that she doesn't feel the need for a piece of paper to validate her relationship. It’s a very "modern family" vibe that resonates with her 36 million Instagram followers.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her
People see the perfectly curated Instagram feed and think she’s just lucky or "Instagram-famous."
The truth? She’s a workhorse.
She was one of the first actors to really lean into YouTube, showing the "behind the scenes" of her life before "vlogging" was a standard career requirement for actors. She’s been very open about the fact that her social media is a highlight reel. She’s honest about the zit cream, the sleepless nights with the kids, and the stress of running multiple companies.
She isn't just "Who is Shay Mitchell?" anymore. She’s the blueprint for how a teen star survives the transition into a mogul.
What You Can Learn from the Shay Mitchell Playbook
If you’re looking at Shay’s career as a guide for your own branding or business, here are a few takeaways:
- Don’t stay in the box. If you're an expert in one thing, it doesn't mean you can't be a beginner in another. Shay went from acting to luggage to skincare without asking for permission.
- Product over hype. BÉIS succeeded because the bags are actually good, not just because Shay’s name is on them. Focus on quality first.
- Control your narrative. Use social media to tell your story before someone else tells it for you. Be the "social media butterfly" but keep a clear line between your public brand and your private life.
- Diversify your income. Acting is fickle. E-commerce and producing are where the long-term wealth lives.
Watch for her next move in the tech space or perhaps a larger expansion of her production company, Amore & Vita. She isn't slowing down anytime soon.