Jo_Ellen_Pellman
Jo Ellen Pellman
American actress
Jo Ellen Pellman (born October 29, 1995)[1] is an American actress best known for her leading role as Emma Nolan in the 2020 Netflix musical film The Prom.
Jo Ellen Pellman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ohio, U.S. |
| Education | University of Michigan (BFA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Known for | The Prom |
| Website | joellenpellman |
Jo Ellen Pellman was born in Ohio[2] and grew up in Cincinnati.[3] She was raised by a single mother.[4] Growing up, she was in her school's choir, studied tap and ballet, and went to theater camp.[5]
Pellman graduated in 2018 from the University of Michigan with a BFA in musical theatre and a minor in creative writing.[6] While training, she played roles in Me and My Girl, The Drowsy Chaperone and Grand Concourse.[7] She has also studied Shakespeare at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
In 2018, Pellman played bit parts on Comedy Central's Alternatino, HBO's The Deuce, and episode 5 of season 3 of Amazon Prime's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.[6]
Ryan Murphy cast Pellman as the protagonist of The Prom named Emma Nolan, after a nationwide search, in her film debut opposite of Ariana DeBose.[2] Murphy said, "She spoke very movingly about being a queer woman and having a gay single mom who raised her. I remember she walked out and I was just like, 'Thank God, that's over — we've found our girl.'"[8] It was her first film.[6]
In December 2020, Pellman and DeBose launched the Unruly Hearts Initiative. The initiative was created to help young people connect with organisations and charities that advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.[9]
Pellman identifies as queer,[6][8] and came out to her mother, who herself identifies as gay, in her final year of high school.[4][8] She got engaged to filmmaker Brydie O'Connor on November 23, 2023.[10]
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Alternatino with Arturo Castro | Episode: "La Pulga" | |
| The University | Mary Brandt | Episode: "Silences" | |
| The Deuce | Bree | Episode: "This Trust Thing" | |
| The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel | Girl #2 | Episode: "It's Comedy or Cabbage" | |
| 2022-2023 | 1923 | Jennifer | 3 episodes |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | The Prom | Emma Nolan | Film debut |
| 2023 | Tripped Up | Ashley | |
| Year | Association | Category | Nominated Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Hollywood Critics Association | Star on the Rise | The Prom | Won | [11] |
- Jo Ellen Pellman's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CVnlFbtLHtd/?hl=en [date missing]
- Gonzalez, Alex (December 10, 2020). "Jo Ellen Pellman Loved The Prom On Broadway. Now She's Its Film Lead". MTV News. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- Nordstrom, Leigh (December 11, 2020). "Meet Jo Ellen Pellman, the Breakout Cast as Lead Alongside Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman". WWD. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- Smith, Josh (December 17, 2020). "The Prom star and GLAMOUR UK's December digital coverstar Jo Ellen Pellman on coming out & being proud". Glamour. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
- Brody, Caitlin (December 11, 2020). "Getting to Know Jo Ellen Pellman, the Breakout Star of Netflix's The Prom". Glamour. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- Fierberg, Ruthie (December 5, 2019). "5 Things You Need to Know About Netflix's The Prom Star Jo Ellen Pellman". Playbill. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- Lefkowitz, Andy (November 25, 2019). "Jo Ellen Pellman to Star as Emma in The Prom Film". Broadway.com. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
- Bahr, Sarah (December 11, 2020). "New Star of 'The Prom' Sees a Chance to Make L.G.B.T.Q. Characters Visible". The New York Times. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- Meyer, Dan (December 14, 2020). "The Prom Stars Ariana DeBose and Jo Ellen Pellman Launch Unruly Hearts Initiative". Playbill. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- Pellman, Jo Ellen. "forever yes to my forever girl ❤️🔥 if you saw any lesbians crying in prospect park today, that was us!!". www.instagram.com. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
- Magidson, Joey (December 21, 2020). "The Hollywood Critics Association Releases Their Initial Wave Of Honorary Awards". www.hollywoodnews.com. Retrieved December 21, 2020.