Biographie
Jelynn Malone, also known as Jelynn Sophia and Jelynn Rodriguez, is a Filipina American actress, television host, producer, entrepreneur, and Co-Founder/Chief Brand Officer of Mostra Coffee. This internationally acclaimed specialty coffee company is celebrated for promoting Philippine specialty coffee and supporting sustainable livelihoods for Filipino farming communities worldwide.
Born and raised in San Diego, California, Jelynn discovered her passion for performing at age three after singing at a local cultural festival. Growing up in a close-knit Filipino American family, she was deeply involved in dance, studying hip hop, tap, ballet, jazz, and modern dance, eventually pursuing hip hop professionally. Her entertainment career took off when she earned one of only fifteen spots from over 300 applicants at a Los Angeles talent agency, launching her as a professional dancer in Hollywood. Early career highlights include performing alongside Eminem at the MTV Movie Awards.
After transitioning to hosting and acting, Jelynn became the longtime host of the Imagen Award-nominated music and entertainment series The Drop on SiTV (now NuvoTV), hosting the show for five seasons. She later worked with major networks and brands such as Disney/ABC, TV Guide Channel, AMC, MTV, VH1, Altitude TV, Nike, and Soapnet, interviewing top figures in entertainment, music, sports, and pop culture.
Jelynn also ventured into sports and lifestyle hosting, serving as Nike’s official host for NBA All-Star Weekend, where she interviewed numerous NBA stars. A standout moment in her hosting career was her unforgettable interview with Kobe Bryant. Her enthusiasm for food and culture led her to host and judge Kitchen Cookoff for MSN and Hillshire Farms, while continuing to develop a diverse career across television, film, digital media, and live events.
As an actress, Jelynn has appeared in numerous television shows and films including General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, Las Vegas, Samantha Who?, Cavemen, Brothers, and Sam & Cat with Ariana Grande. Her film credits include Bar Starz opposite Jon Bernthal, Grizzly Park, Facade, How to Make Love to a Woman, Men, Interrupted, and the popular web series Acts of Love & Sex. She is also a producer and lead actress in the upcoming satirical thriller Crab, a collaboration with El Rey Network and renowned filmmaker Robert Rodriguez.
Currently, Jelynn stars as Noa in Nurse the Dead, a groundbreaking supernatural dark comedy premiering on iWant. Filmed in Los Angeles, the series is recognized as the first Filipino-produced television show created and filmed in Hollywood. This bilingual series represents a significant milestone in Filipino storytelling and reinforces Jelynn’s dedication to amplifying underrepresented voices in entertainment.
Outside of Hollywood, Jelynn is acclaimed as a visionary entrepreneur and cultural storyteller through her leadership with Mostra Coffee. Under her guidance, Mostra has received national honors including Roast Magazine’s 2020 Micro Roaster of the Year and the 2022 U.S. Coffee Roasting Championship, establishing the company as one of America’s most celebrated coffee brands. She has spearheaded major partnerships with organizations such as the San Diego Padres, San Diego FC, Disney, and San Diego Wave FC, helping Mostra evolve into a globally recognized lifestyle brand founded on culture, hospitality, storytelling, and community impact.
Dedicated to representation, entrepreneurship, and inspiring future generations, Jelynn continues to unite the worlds of entertainment, media, business, sports, and culture while proudly representing Filipino Americans on the global stage.
