Wonder Woman’s stepsister?
Shay Mitchell is swamped. For the umpteenth time on this Saturday morning, a dozen women in their early 20s crowd around her to shoot selfies. Over 500 of them have packed a Hollywood warehouse for a promotional fitness event that includes an hour of hip thrusts, sit-ups and lunges with a celebrity trainer and the 30-year-old actress who shot to fame in “Pretty Little Liars.” ¶ But Mitchell, who will appear in the horror film “Cadaver” later this year, is a big draw for another reason: She’s an influencer. Her 19.3 million followers on Instagram watch where she “Shaycations,” what she eats and how she obsessively works out — boxing, spinning, running, ropes, Pilates, weights, yoga, you name it. Here, she talks about her lifelong love of fitness, responsibility to her loyal legions and her new projects, including co-founding a subscription app, the Off the Menu Eating Club, which gives users exclusive off-the-menu meals at restaurants in and around L.A., while also giving meals to kids in need.
You’ve got a huge following that you keep motivated. Do they ever motivate you?
Absolutely. That’s why I am so active on social media. It’s work in itself, believe me. That’s why I put time into it. Some days I say, “Oh, I’m so exhausted, I don’t feel like going to the gym,” then I’ll read, “‘Thank you so much. I’m so much healthier than I used to be,’ ” and then I think, “Gosh, how can I NOT go!” We all inspire each other. Even if I can inspire them to take a five-minute walk after a meal, great, I did my job.
How much of your workouts are real and how much are acting?
It’s no act. I actually enjoy working out and have since I was a kid. I played volleyball and basketball in high school, and was in the pool at 1 or 2 and a competitive swimmer until age 15. I was in dance every year. We were always very health-conscious in my house, due to my dad. He’s always been a health freak. Even growing up, we never had apple juice, never had sugary cereals, if we did only special occasions. My dad was also very active — hiking or biking, and always trying to get my brother and I active. He’s still very active now. He wants to be fit until he’s 100 and I feel the same way. When you auditioned for “Pretty Little Liars,” how big a factor did your athleticism play? Were you super-fit at 22?
Yeah, I was fit and I think it helped me get the role of Emily; she was certainly the most athletic out of the bunch, and an avid swimmer, so it kinda helped I had that in my past. There were shoot days when we’d be in the pool and I didn’t need any training.
Ironically, although I was fit then, now, at 30, I think I’m better — and it feels pretty great to say that. I’m stronger and healthier; I eat better. I do a lot of boxing — [at a boxing club] in Hollywood. I love spinning — I’ll do a couple classes
in a row on Saturday. In my garage, I have a little gym — with a speed bag, weights, treadmill. When I go on the road, I always pack a jump rope. Just three minutes of that ... I’m telling you! I also bring furniture sliders, so I can do a bunch of different slides.
Hollywood is embracing strong, powerful women. I assume you saw “Wonder Woman.” What went on in your mind?
Actually, I saw it a couple times — and thought, “I wish I could do that.” When they come out with the sequel, I hope I can play her stepsister or something. It was such an incredible, empowering movie. I want to see more strong, independent female characters out there. That’s why I want to do more action roles. If they said, “Shay, you have to train for six weeks for this,” I’d be totally happy. What about your diet?
I’m more plant-based these days, and limit the sugars, although I’m not a zealot. If there’s an amazing pizza, I’ll have a bite or two. I don’t work to burn off my food. I love eating and love working out. They go hand in hand.
‘Ironically, although I was fit then, now, at 30, I think I’m better — and it feels pretty great to say that. I’m stronger and healthier; I eat better.’
— Shay Mitchell, on her 22-year-old self versus now