Jessica Szohr

Szohr was born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. She is of Hungarian and black ancestry. Szohr played soccer, served on the student council, and was part of the cheerleading squad while in school. She started a cleaning company with a friend, cleaning their teachers' houses. Szohr started modeling at age six. Her first national campaign was for Quaker Oats at age ten, and she also appeared in print ads for Kohl's department store. Subsequent modeling gigs followed, including prints for Crate & Barrel, Mountain Dew, Sears, Jockey and JanSport. Szohr graduated from Menomonee Falls High School a semester early and moved to Los Angeles with her mother at the age of 17 to pursue an acting career. She initially aspired to become an interior designer and had enrolled in Columbia College Chicago, but her agent ultimately convinced her to try pilot season auditions. Szohr made her debut as an actress in 2003 in an episode of the third season of _My Wife and Kids (2001)_ (qv), titled _My Wife and Kids: Not So Hostile Takeover (2003)_ (qv). Her first film was _Uncle Nino (2003)_ (qv) playing a minor role as The MC. She appeared in numerous guest teen television series such as _That's So Raven (2003)_ (qv), _Drake & Josh (2004)_ (qv), _What I Like About You (2002)_ (qv), and _Joan of Arcadia (2003)_ (qv). She also appeared in three episodes of _CSI: Miami (2002)_ (qv) as Samantha Barrish.In 2007, she appeared in a major recurring role as Laura for six episodes in the ABC drama series _What About Brian (2006)_ (qv). She also appeared in the music videos for 'Daughtry' (qv): Over You (2007) by 'Daughtry' (qv), in which she played Sarah. In the same year, Szohr earned her breakthrough role on the hit CW teen drama series _Gossip Girl (2007)_ (qv). She plays Vanessa Abrams. The portrayal of Vanessa has drawn criticism from Ziegesar. Originally cast as a recurring role, Szohr was promoted to series regular after the season one episode _Gossip Girl: The Blair Bitch Project (2008)_ (qv) in April 2008. In May 2011, it was confirmed Szohr would not be returning for the fifth season. She returned in for a cameo appearance on the series finale, _Gossip Girl: New York, I Love You XOXO (2012)_ (qv), on December 17, 2012. Szohr has appeared in small roles in films such as _Somebody Help Me (2007)_ (qv), _The Reading Room (2005)_ (qv) and _Fired Up! (2009)_ (qv). She signed on to Dimension Films' horror _Piranha 3D (2010)_ (qv), in the role of Kelly. She also appeared in a Funny or Die video promoting the film alongside 'Kelly Brook' (qv) and others. In April 2010, Szohr joined the cast of the romantic comedy _Love, Wedding, Marriage (2011)_ (qv), along with 'Mandy Moore' (qv) and 'Kellan Lutz' (qv). Szohr has a role in the 2012 independent post-apocalyptic sci-fi film _Hirokin: The Last Samurai (2012)_ (qv). Her role as Orange has been described as a "cunning temptress". Szohr stars in the indie drama _Art Machine (2012)_ (qv) as an outlaw hipster and a pyrotechnic artist. In October 2011, she finished filming a horror comedy film in East Lothian, Scotland titled _Love Bite (2012)_ (qv) with co-star 'Ed Speleers' (qv). Szohr appeared in Taylor Swift's 2013 music video for the song _Taylor Swift: 22 (2013)_ (qv). In March 2013, she was cast as the female lead in the Fox drama pilot _The List (2013)_ (qv), playing FBI agent Natalie Voss. However, it was reported on May 8, 2013 that Fox had passed on the pilot. In November 2013, Szohr was cast as Gretchen in USA Network's medical drama pilot _Complications (2015)_ (qv). In June 2015, Szohr was set as a recurring on the upcoming second season of DirecTV's MMA drama _Kingdom (2014)_ (qv). Szohr will play Laura Melvin, an artist/photographer who has "read everything, been everywhere," and immediately intrigued by Jay ('Jonathan Tucker' (qv)) whom she wants to hire for a photo shoot.::Sam013024