Shelley Hennig

Shelley Hennig became interested in performing when she was only 2 and began taking dancing lessons. She continued dancing throughout her teen years, finding comfort in the discipline after her older brother, Brad, was killed in a car accident and her parents divorced.

When she was 16, Hennig planned to pursue a career on Broadway. However, her dancing teacher suggested that she enter the Miss Teen Louisiana pageant so that she could get some contacts in show biz. Hennig took her advice and entered, and was shocked when she won. She was even more surprised to learn she was going on to the Miss Teen USA pageant — which she also won in 2004.

After nabbing the crown, Hennig landed a day player role on PASSIONS. She also moved to New York City, where she took acting classes. While on spring break during her final semester, she headed to Los Angeles, where she met with a DAYS producer who asked her to screen-test immediately. She was chosen as the show’s newest Stephanie, the part that was previously played by Shayna Rose. Hennig started work in late March 2007, a few months before her graduation in June.

Though she hasn’t had much acting experience, Hennig has already captured the attention of fans and critics, who’ve enjoyed her character’s romance with Max (Darin Brooks) and chemistry with on-screen parents Mary Beth Evans (Kayla) and Stephen Nichols (Steve). In a short time, Hennig has proven that she’s a young talent to watch out for.