Jessica Karen Szohr, born on March 31, 1985, in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, is an American actress and former child model.

With a mixed heritage of Hungarian and one-quarter African-American descent, Szohr grew up in a close-knit family as the eldest of five children.

Her early life was marked by a blend of creative and entrepreneurial pursuits, from modeling at age six for brands like Quaker Oats and Kohl’s to starting a cleaning company with a friend during her high school years.

She was active in soccer, cheerleading, and student council at Menomonee Falls High School, graduating a semester early to pursue acting in Los Angeles at 17.

Initially aspiring to be an interior designer, Szohr was persuaded by her agent to audition for television roles, launching a career that has spanned both the small and big screens.

Jessica is the eldest of five siblings, namely Megan Szohr, Danielle Szohr Fulsher, Nick Szohr, and Sadie Szohr Roach.

Growing up in Wisconsin, Szohr shared a tight bond with her family, often highlighted through her social media posts and interviews.

Her siblings, ranging in age from 12 to 30 during a 2015 interview with Hello Magazine, have been a significant part of her life, with an 18-year age gap between Jessica and her youngest sister, Sadie.

Megan Szohr, one of her sisters, married in Jamaica in 2016, with Jessica serving as a bridesmaid, showcasing their close relationship.

Sadie, the youngest, has been highlighted by Jessica for her talents, including a video shared on Instagram showcasing her skills.

Szohr’s career began with modeling at a young age, appearing in print ads for major brands like Crate & Barrel, Mountain Dew, and Jockey.

Her acting debut came in 2003 with a guest role on the sitcom My Wife and Kids, followed by her first film role in Uncle Nino.

Over the next few years, she built her resume with guest appearances on teen-oriented shows like Drake & Josh, That’s So Raven, and Joan of Arcadia, as well as a recurring role as Laura in the ABC series What About Brian and three episodes as Samantha Barrish on CSI: Miami.

Her breakthrough came in 2007 with the role of Vanessa Abrams on The CW’s teen drama Gossip Girl, where she transitioned from a recurring character to a series regular, appearing through the first four seasons and returning for a cameo in the 2012 series finale.

This role catapulted her to fame, though it drew criticism from the original novel’s author, Cecily von Ziegesar, for diverging from the source material.

Szohr expanded into film with roles in Piranha 3D (2010), I Don’t Know How She Does It (2011), The Internship (2013), and Ted 2 (2015).

Her television work continued with significant roles in Complications (2015), Kingdom (2015), Twin Peaks (2017), and Shameless (2017–2018).

Since 2018, she has portrayed Talla Keyali, a Xelayan chief of security, on the Fox/Hulu science fiction series The Orville, a role she has embraced for its physicality and stunts.

Szohr has also appeared in music videos, including Taylor Swift’s “22” and Daughtry’s “Over You,” and launched a podcast in 2022 called XOXO with Jessica Szohr, revisiting Gossip Girl with behind-the-scenes stories.

Szohr’s work has earned her recognition in the entertainment industry, most notably for her role in Piranha 3D, where she played Kelly Driscoll.

In 2010, she received the Breakthrough Actress in Film award at the Breakthrough of the Year Awards for this performance, highlighting her ability to captivate audiences in a horror-comedy setting.

Additionally, she was nominated for an MTV Movie Award in 2011 for Best Scared-As-S**t Performance for Piranha 3D, acknowledging her compelling portrayal in the film’s intense underwater scenes, despite her self-admitted challenges with swimming.

Beyond awards, Szohr was included in People magazine’s “100 Most Beautiful People in the World” list in 2010, reflecting her influence as a public figure.

Her contributions to both television and film, particularly her enduring role on The Orville and her impactful presence on Gossip Girl, have solidified her reputation as a versatile and engaging actress.