Biography
Aeriél Miranda, affectionately called "ARI" by close friends and industry peers, hails from Dallas, Texas, where she was born and raised. She has also spent time living seasonally in Boston and New Orleans, contributing to a diverse, multicultural background. Raised by young, lively parents—her mother is an African American woman from Louisiana, and her father, a music DJ from New Bedford, Massachusetts, with Cape Verdean roots—her heritage encompasses West African, Portuguese, French, German, and Jewish ancestry.
Her deep love for entertainment was kindled by her Nana, who introduced her at a young age to classic films like The Sound of Music, West Side Story, Oliver Twist, E.T., and many Disney animated movies.
During her teenage years, she competed in pageants throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area and sang in both her school and church choirs. She credits James Belushi and Robert Townsend, whom she met early on, as key inspirations for her dedication to acting.
Miranda made her television debut on ABC Family’s The Nine Lives of Chloe King. She later appeared in series such as The CW’s science fiction show The Tomorrow People and TV Land’s Jennifer Falls. She gained worldwide recognition for her breakout role on Freeform’s Pretty Little Liars. Her film and TV credits also include Universal Pictures’ Straight Outta Compton and The Oprah Winfrey Network’s For Better or Worse.
Alongside her acting career, Miranda has modeled for a variety of brands including Nike, Sprite, Old Navy, TJ Maxx, Harley Davidson, and Bed Head by TIGI.
