Many can tell you that Lucy Hale is the actress who plays this well-known character onPretty Little Liars.
But what about her life beyond the show’s fictional town of Rosewood, PA?
This was not Hale’s first role and it definitely won’t be her last.
She is a star who brings her own style and confidence to everything she does.
So let’s take a look at the transformation of Hale from young singer to ever-rising star.
The actress explained to Jimmy Fallon on"The Tonight Show"that Karen is her first name.
Her real name is Karen Lucille Hale.
Hale’s childhood was slightly unusual, as she didn’t attend an ordinary school as a teenager.
Instead, she moved to Los Angeles when she was just 15 years old to pursue acting.
“I was home-schooled all through high school,” she toldGlamourin 2020.
“I never went to or never stepped foot in a real high school.
Hale reflected on what she missed in her childhood after starting out so young.
While she admitted she may have missed a few important milestones, she has “no regrets.”
Though you may not remember, Hale was one of the Top 5 onFox’sAmerican Juniorsin 2003.
Those auditions brought good things for Hale.
It was my first show, and for that to be my first experience…was hard.
People were so mean about it.
It just wasn’t meant to work out, I guess.”
But even with the disappointments, good things ended up following.
Her next biggest roles came inThe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2andPrivileged.
And Hale was one of the stars featured in The CW’sPrivileged.
Considering these larger roles bulking up Hale’s acting resume, which was her favorite role so far?
It may surprise you.
Keep your fingers crossed, because I sure am!"
Hale andHow I Met Your Mother?
Sounds like the perfect combination, and an episode that needs revisiting ASAP.
When she learned how to lie
2010 was a big year for 21-year-old Hale.
I ended up being more drawn to Aria because she’s sort of the different one of the group.
She just does her own thing and has different interests.
She’s an old soul, and knows what she wants.
She just seems put together and she’s very fun to play."
Audiences loved Hale playing the wise-beyond-her-years student.
Aria’s like that too."
It’s not just Aria’s personality, but her style as well that makes her unique.
So in 2010, who was Hale’s biggest style icon?
It’s someone we can all approve of.
She continued withThe Examiner, “I love Kate Winslet.
I think she’s just so classy.
I just think she always looks so put together and natural.”
That’s the only thing I can relate to mirroring my life and her life.
So what helps Hale get into character?
It’s because it’s different from everything out there and we’re really pushing the limit."
Or maybe I’d have some fruit and then go to the gym for three hours.
I knew I had a problem…
It was a gradual process but I changed myself."
Bravo to Hale for opening up about something so private and difficult.
She said, “I was on the beach in Hawaii and there were paparazzi in the bushes.
You go, girl.
“I’m scared as hell.
Some days I go to sleep and I’m like,What am I doing?
People aren’t going to take me seriously.”
But Hale’s confidence in who she is helped get her through those fearful moments.
Sometimes that’s just the inspiration she’s needed to rally for a new day.
Discussing her workout routine, Hale told the magazine, “I won’t workout without music.
I’m not one of those people who looks forward to exercising, so music gets me through it.
My new favorite song is ‘Wake Me Up!’
Could this girl get any more likable?
They just know me from characters I played.
It’s really real.
It’s hard for women to it’s almost taboo to explain how you’re really feeling.
We’re not supposed to be sad, we’re supposed to act like we have it all together.
This album shows my flaws, it shows me being angry, being heartbroken.
But was it easy for Hale to open up like that to all of her fans and the world?
She continued on to say, “It was kind of a challenge at first.
It’s a scary thing to be vulnerable and put yourself out there like that.
I’d be lying to say it wasn’t hard to tap into that.
I’m used to having to always be on, to always be smiling.”
I’m so grateful for the time.
I wouldn’t have had any life experiences to draw from.
I would’ve been micro-managed and felt like a robot.”
She’s a big fan of her fans
By 2015, 26-year-old Hale’s career was booming.
She featured a new, short hair-do that we all became obsessed with immediately.
They break Twitter every week and it’s internationally successful, which is really crazy.
I really enjoy seeing everyone’s reactions and still people get excited after six years.”
Hale also shared her hopes that she could give back to these fans with the content of the show.
The plot focuses on four strong women who have to band together to get through the tough times.
Her love for fashion is truly inspiring."
I’m always bringing someone new to the table in each fitting.
It is always important to research up-and-coming designers to keep things fresh and exciting."
And although Hale loves to take fashion risks, she also gravitates toward classic styles.
Now I want to keep it simple.
Some days I’ll be more classic; some days I’ll be grunge."
No matter if the style is unexpected and risky or classic and effortless, Hale can do no wrong.
It’s so crazy to see it come to life and see all the accessories in person.
[There’s] a whole line of pictures of my dog.
It was really fun and unique and I think that people are really going to like it."
We’re already in.
We carry our phones with us constantly, so why not add some of Hale’s signature style flavor?
There’s a bohemian vibe.
There’s something for everyone.
I love leopard print, [so] there’s a leopard print case.
It was a lot of looking through magazines and Instagram."
The show was canceled after just one season.
… We created something important and pure and no cancellation can take that away."
Hale also landed the titular role in CW’s “Katy Keene,” a “Riverdale” spinoff.
The poppy New York City comedy was about an aspiring designer.
Once again, the show lasted only one season.
Hale was devastated by the news.
“Truly one of the highlights of my life.
“It’s happened a few times to me, and each time it’s just heartbreaking.
This is a bad one.
It’ll take some time to get over.”
Here’s hoping that Hale has better luck in the future!
Unfortunately, the film was met with some poor reviews.
Hale then turned her attention to romantic comedies.
She also starred in “Which Brings Me to You,” another rom-com.
But she didn’t stick with one genre for too long.
“I’ve done the whole rom-com thing too, which is really fun,” she toldInterview.
Go have fun with this and we trust you to do a good job.'
So it’s nice to be picky.”
As she put it, she hit many “emotional rock bottoms” as she tried to get sober.
Hale explained on the podcast that she sought help for her drinking problem when she was 20.
By the time she was in her 30s, she finally managed to break her old habits.
“It took time,” she said.
“And it took patience with myself.”
In February 2023, Hale shared onInstagramthat she was celebrating being one year sober.
We couldn’t be prouder of Hale’s journey!
She’s been in the business since childhood and has continued to take on new and exciting roles.
It looks like next year will be pretty busy, which is good.
I’m excited for a little time off, too, so that’ll be nice."
That time off is well-deserved for Hale.
