Sasha Pieterse

Summary

Sasha Pieterse Sheaffer (/ˈptərsə/; born February 17, 1996[1]) is a South African-born American actress, singer and songwriter.[2][3]

Sasha Pieterse
Pieterse at PaleyFest in 2014
Born (1996-02-17) February 17, 1996 (age 28)
Citizenship
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2000–present
Spouse
Hudson Sheaffer
(m. 2018)
Children1
Musical career
Genres
LabelsDan Franklin Music

Pieterse is perhaps best-known for her role as Alison DiLaurentis in the Freeform series Pretty Little Liars and its spin-off Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. Upon the success of Pretty Little Liars, Pieterse earned a supporting role as Amy Loubalu in the 2011 Disney Channel film Geek Charming.[4][5][6]

In 2013, Pieterse starred in the teen comedy film G.B.F.. In 2017, Pieterse participated in the 25th season of Dancing with the Stars and finished in 10th place.[7][8]

Early life edit

Pieterse was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, on February 17, 1996, to Sean and Zizi.[1][9][10] Moving to the United States in 2001, she was raised in Las Vegas, before moving to Los Angeles.[11] She became accustomed to a career in entertainment at an early age, as her parents were a professional acrobatic dance team who performed internationally.[11] Pieterse was homeschooled and graduated at 14.[12]

Career edit

Modeling edit

At four years old, Pieterse began modeling and appearing in commercials.[13] She appeared in an advertisement for Wenner Bread Products at five years old,[14] and later appeared on a national billboard for hair salon franchise SuperCuts and modeled for Macy's Passport fashion show.[15][16] Pieterse appeared in numerous magazines, including on the covers of BELLO's "Young Hollywood" issue (December 2014),[12] TeenProm (2015 issue),[17] Seventeen (August 2016), Social Life (August 2019).[18]

Film and television edit

At six years old, Pieterse got her start in television, co-starring in 2002 as Buffy on The WB's remake of the CBS sitcom Family Affair. She guest starred in the Stargate SG-1 episode “Grace” with Amanda Tapping as a little girl named Grace. In 2005, she appeared on an episode of House titled "Autopsy", portraying Andie, a young girl with terminal cancer. That same year, she made her film debut in The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D as Marissa, the Ice Princess, and also appeared as Millie Rose for two episodes of the short-lived TNT series Wanted, alongside her former Family Affair co-star, Gary Cole.[citation needed]

Pieterse appeared in the 2007 film Good Luck Chuck, playing a young goth girl who places a curse on the titular character. She played the younger version of Sarah Michelle Gellar's character in the 2007 film The Air I Breathe, along with such co-stars as Kevin Bacon, Forest Whitaker, and Emile Hirsch. She also played a leading character in the Hallmark original film Claire, also released in 2007.[citation needed]

Pieterse was 13 years old in late 2009, when she was cast in the Freeform teen drama television series Pretty Little Liars (2010–2017) as Alison DiLaurentis, the former "queen bee" of her high school clique.[19] She had a regular role in the series from the first four seasons, until later became a main role in the fifth season, with one of the five girls. Since its debut, the series has received mixed reviews from television critics, but remained a success for Freeform, garnering a large fandom.[20] Pieterse reprised her role as Alison, in the spin-off series titled Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists on Freeform in 2019.[21][22] On Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists, she portrayed the grown-up version of Alison who is working as a teaching assistant at Beacon Heights University.[13]

Other roles Pieterse has had include a 2009 appearance in Without a Trace, and a recurring role as Amanda Strazzulla, an abandoned daughter, in Heroes. In 2011, she appeared as Amy Loubalu in the Disney Channel Original Movie Geek Charming, and also as a teenage girl in the film X-Men: First Class. More recently, Pieterse has appeared in the film G.B.F. and in an episode of Hawaii Five-0 as a terrorist pupil named Dawn Hatfield. Pieterse played Japonica Fenway, a young lady involved with cocaine, in the film Inherent Vice (2014), based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Pynchon.[23] In September 2017, Pieterse was announced as one of the celebrities to compete on the Dancing with the Starsseason 25. She was paired with professional dancer Gleb Savchenko.[24] They were the 4th couple eliminated, on October 16, 2017, finishing in 10th place.[25]

On August 16, 2021, Deadline announced that Pieterse has been cast in Netflix's film adaptation of Annie BarrowsNew York Times bestselling book series Ivy + Bean alongside Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jane Lynch and Nia Vardalos.[26]

Music edit

Pieterse describes her music as "country with southern rock".[citation needed] Her debut single "This Country is Bad Ass" was released on April 12, 2013. Pieterse described the patriotism behind the song: "I just love this country so much and I would never have been able to be where I am if I wasn't in America, so we decided to come up with this [track]."[27] Her second single, "R.P.M", was released on June 13, 2013.[28]

Pieterse's third single, "I Can't Fix You", was released on July 12, 2013.[29][30] On December 10, 2013, she released her fourth single "No", an upbeat track about "standing strong in your convictions" and saying no when an unfaithful, lying ex-boyfriend asks for a second chance.[31][32]

Other ventures edit

Pieterse's cookbook Sasha in Good Taste: Recipes for Bites, Feasts, Sips & Celebrations was published by Dey Street Books, an imprint of HarperCollins on October 8, 2019.[13] In the book Pieterse shares cooking and baking recipes, tips for inexpensive party planning, do it yourself projects and ideas for desserts.[13][33] San Francisco Book Review wrote that the book is "full of good ideas".[34]

Pieterse has a lifestyle website called "Sasha in Good Taste".[15]

Pieterse has developed an online and social media presence, including 16 million+ followers on Instagram as of January 2023.[35] She endorses products such as beauty and wellness products on Instagram and has partnered with Lightlife Foods,[36] and Pokémon Go.[37]

Philanthropy edit

In June 2019, Pieterse and her husband worked together with Habitat for Humanity to help build houses in New Orleans.[38]

Personal life edit

On December 22, 2015, Pieterse became engaged to her long-term boyfriend Hudson Sheaffer.[39] They were married on May 27, 2018, at Castle Leslie in Glaslough, Ireland.[40] On May 27, 2020, Pieterse announced that she and Sheaffer were expecting their first child.[41] Their son was born in November 2020.[42] As of 2022, the family resides in Nashville, Tennessee.[43]

At the start of season 25 of Dancing with the Stars, Pieterse revealed that she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, which causes symptoms such as irregular periods and weight gain.[44][45]

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
2005 The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D Marissa Electricidad / Ice Princess
2007 The Air I Breathe Young Sorrow
2007 Good Luck Chuck Young Anisha Carpenter
2011 X-Men: First Class Teenage girl Cameo[citation needed]
2013 G.B.F. Fawcett Brooks
2014 Inherent Vice Japonica Fenway
2015 Burning Bodhi Aria
2017 Coin Heist Dakota Cunningham
2018 The Honor List Isabella Walker
2022 Ivy + Bean: The Ghost That Had to Go Ms. Aruba-Tate Netflix movie
2022 Ivy + Bean: Doomed to Dance Ms. Aruba-Tate
TBA The Image of You Anna / Zoe [46]

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
2002–2003 Family Affair Buffy Davis Main role
2004 Stargate SG-1 Grace Episode: "Grace"
2005 Wanted Millie Rose 2 episodes
2005 House Andie Episode: "Autopsy"
2007 Claire Maggie Bannion Television film
2007 CSI: Miami Beth Buckley Episode: "Stand Your Ground"
2009 Without a Trace Daphne Stevens Episode: "Wanted"
2009–2010 Heroes Amanda Strazzulla Recurring role (season 4), 5 episodes
2009 Heroes: Slow Burn Amanda Strazzulla Web series; recurring role, 6 episodes
2010–2017 Pretty Little Liars Alison DiLaurentis Main role
2011 Medium Marie DuBois (age 14) Episode: "Me Without You"
2011 Geek Charming Amy Loubalu Television film
2014 Hawaii Five-0 Dawn Hatfield Episode: "Pe'epe'e Kanaka"
2016 Sing It! Destiny Wood Episode: "Destiny Is Calling!"
2017 Dancing with the Stars Herself Contestant (season 25)
2019 Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists Alison DiLaurentis Main role
2019 Epic Night Shook Web series; 2 episodes
2020 Beat Bobby Flay Herself Celebrity judge; episode: "Pretty Little Fryer"
2020 Sugar Rush Christmas Herself Guest judge; episode: "North Pole"

Music videos edit

Year Title Artist Role Notes Ref.
2013 "Rewind" Skye Stevens Love Interest [47]
2013 "R.P.M." Sasha Pieterse Reckless Driver Girl Also executive producer [48]
2014 "Hey! (The Last Party Ever)" The New Average Girl [49]

Awards and nominations edit

Year Association Category Work Result
2003 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Young Actress Age Ten or Younger Family Affair Won
Best Ensemble in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama)
(shared with Caitlin Wachs and Jimmy "Jax" Pinchak)
Family Affair Nominated
2011 ShoWest Awards Breakthrough Performer of the Year Pretty Little Liars Nominated
2014 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Female Breakout Star Pretty Little Liars Won
2015 Independent Spirit Awards Robert Altman Award (shared with director, casting director and cast) Inherent Vice Won
2015 MTV Fandom Awards Ship of the Year (shared with Shay Mitchell) Pretty Little Liars Nominated
2015 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV: Scene Stealer Pretty Little Liars Nominated
2016 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV: Scene Stealer Pretty Little Liars Won
2017 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress: Drama Pretty Little Liars Nominated
Choice TV Ship (shared with Shay Mitchell) Pretty Little Liars Nominated

See also edit

References edit

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  2. ^ "Interview with Sasha Pieterse". myFanbase (in German). Archived from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  3. ^ Petzer, Brett (November 11, 2013). "Top Ten South African actors about to make it big". The South African. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  4. ^ "Sasha Pieterse on Why "The Perfectionists" Need Alison's Help". Teen Vogue. March 19, 2019. Archived from the original on October 6, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  5. ^ "Sasha Pieterse Stands Up to Bullies After Horrific Fat-Shaming Experience". Distractify. Archived from the original on October 6, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  6. ^ "Sasha Pieterse and Janel Parrish Are Bringing 'Old Married Couple' Energy to The Perfectionists". www.vulture.com. March 20, 2019. Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  7. ^ Thompson, Avery; Weakland, Russ (April 3, 2019). "'PLL: The Perfectionists': Sasha Pieterse Reveals Finding Nolan's Killer Is Alison's #1 Priority 'For Now'". HollywoodLife. Archived from the original on October 6, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
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  9. ^ "TheSashaPietersePage/info". Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2013 – via Facebook.
  10. ^ "'Dancing With The Stars' Isn't Sasha Pieterse's Only Connection To The Ballroom". Romper. September 25, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Alison Dilaurentis by Sasha Pieterse". ABC Family. Archived from the original on March 20, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  12. ^ a b Elizabeth, Emilie; Levine, Tamar. "Sasha Pieterse By Tamar Levine & Emilie Elizabeth For Bello Mag Beauty". Bello Magazine. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  13. ^ a b c d Montanti, Christine (August 12, 2019). "Sasha Pieterse – Icon in the Making | Social Life Magazine | Luxury Publication for the Hamptons". Archived from the original on October 15, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  14. ^ "Sasha Pieterse Sheaffer on Instagram: "Just found this gem from a job I did when I was 5...and I gotta say...it fits my #quarantine mood 88.9% of the time. #breadislife 🥖🥐🍞🥯🧈…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  15. ^ a b Glasser-Baker, Rebecca (May 17, 2017). "14 Things You Didn't Know About "PLL" Star Sasha Pieterse". Seventeen. Archived from the original on October 15, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  16. ^ "Sasha Pieterse's Net Worth, TV Series, Music, Relationship | iLuminary". ILuminaryWorth. December 25, 2019. Archived from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  17. ^ Koch, Kristin (December 23, 2014). "PLL's Sasha Pieterse Talks Prom!". Seventeen. Archived from the original on January 29, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  18. ^ "Sasha Pieterse Magazine Cover Photos - List of magazine covers featuring Sasha Pieterse - FamousFix". FamousFix.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  19. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (December 6, 2009). "Laura Leighton joins 'Pretty Little Liars'". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  20. ^ Warwick, Charlotte (September 2, 2016). "21 things you didn't know about Pretty Little Liars". Cosmopolitan. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
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  22. ^ "Pretty Little Liars Stars Celebrate 10-Year Anniversary of Show's Premiere: 'Eternally Grateful'". PEOPLE.com. June 9, 2020. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  23. ^ McNary, Dave (June 20, 2013). "'Pretty Little Liars' Actress Sasha Pieterse Boards 'Inherent Vice'". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on March 14, 2014. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  24. ^ "'Dancing With the Stars' season 25 celebrity cast: Frankie Muniz, Barbara Corcoran, Nick Lachey and more". ABC News. September 6, 2017. Archived from the original on September 6, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  25. ^ "'Dancing with the Stars' Live Blog: Disney Night with 'Moana,' Muppets and More". BuddyTV. October 16, 2017. Archived from the original on October 17, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  26. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 16, 2021). "Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jane Lynch, Sasha Pieterse, Nia Vardalos & More Join Netflix Family Film Series 'Ivy & Bean'". Deadline. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  27. ^ "Sasha Pieterse's debut Single "This Country is Bad Ass" today". Alloy Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  28. ^ "R.P.M. - Single". iTunes. Archived from the original on December 7, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  29. ^ "I Can't Fix You - Single". iTunes. Archived from the original on October 9, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  30. ^ "Sasha Pieterse " I Can't Fix You" inspiration". Alloy Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  31. ^ Theo (January 3, 2014). "Sasha Pieterse Releases Country Song "No": Music & Lyrics". Alloy Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  32. ^ "No - Single - Sasha Pieterse". Itunes. Archived from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  33. ^ "Sasha Pieterse on why she's ready to share her 'Good Taste'". EW.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  34. ^ "Sasha in Good Taste: Recipes for Bites, Feasts, Sips & Celebrations". San Francisco Book Review. March 10, 2020. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  35. ^ "Sasha Pieterse Sheaffer (@sashapieterse) • Instagram photos and videos". www.instagram.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  36. ^ "Sasha Pieterse Sheaffer on Instagram: "Lately, I've been making a #cleanbreak from foods that have ingredients I wouldn't feel good about giving to my baby. @Lightlifefoods…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  37. ^ "Sasha Pieterse Sheaffer on Instagram: "#ad Anyone else feel like Pokémon Go brings you straight back to your childhood?! Oshawott loves the beach just as much as I do 😉 #pokemongo"". Instagram. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  38. ^ "Sasha Pieterse Sheaffer on Instagram: "So so glad @hudsonsheaffer and I could be apart of [sic] this awesome new build for @habitatforhumanity in New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  39. ^ Murphy, Shaunna (December 23, 2015). "'Pretty Little Liars' Star Sasha Pieterse Is Engaged: See The Romantic Pics". MTV News. Viacom. Archived from the original on May 7, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  40. ^ Corriston, Michele (May 27, 2018). "Pretty Little Liars Star Sasha Pieterse Marries Hudson Sheaffer at Irish Castle". People. Archived from the original on May 28, 2018. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  41. ^ Merrett, Robyn (May 27, 2020). "Sasha Pieterse Expecting First Child with Husband Hudson Sheaffer: 'We Are So Excited'". PEOPLE.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  42. ^ VanHoose, Benjamin; McGovern, Tim (November 13, 2020). "Sasha Pieterse and Husband Hudson Sheaffer Welcome Their First Child: 'We Are Absolutely in Love with Him'". People. Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  43. ^ Dodson, P. Claire (July 28, 2022). "'"Pretty Little Liars" Star Sasha Pieterse Talks "Original Sin," Emison, and Advice for Spinoff Cast". Teen Vogue. Conde Nast. Archived from the original on July 28, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  44. ^ Seemayer, Zach (September 26, 2017). "Sasha Pieterse Tears Up Over Health Problems, Opens Up About Losing 15 Pounds Since Joining 'DWTS'". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on October 10, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  45. ^ Mizoguchi, Karen; Stern, Abby (October 5, 2017). "Sasha Pieterse Wows on People's Ones to Watch Red Carpet as She Reveals Why She's 'So Thankful to DWTS'". people.com. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  46. ^ Matt Grobar (July 10, 2023). "'Pretty Little Liars' Alum Sasha Pieterse To Topline MPCA Thriller 'The Image Of You'; Parker Young, Nestor Carbonell, Michele Nordin & Mira Sorvino Also Set". Deadline. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  47. ^ "Skye Stevens – Rewind". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  48. ^ "Sasha Pieterse – R.P.M. (Official Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  49. ^ "The New Average – Hey! (The Last Party Ever)". YouTube. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.

Bibliography edit

  • Pieterse, Sasha (2019). Sasha in Good Taste: Recipes for Bites, Feasts, Sips & Celebrations. Dey Street Books.

External links edit

  • Sasha Pieterse at IMDb