Jo Ellen Pellman

Jo Ellen Pellman (born 1994 or 1995)[1][2] is an American actor and singer known for her leading role as Emma Nolan in the 2020 musical Netflix film The Prom.

Jo Ellen Pellman
Born1994/1995 (age 25–26)
Ohio, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Michigan (BFA)
Occupation
  • Actor
  • singer
Years active2020–present
Known forThe Prom
Websitejoellenpellman.com

Early life and education

Jo Ellen Pellman was born in Ohio[3] and grew up in Cincinnati.[4] Growing up, she was in the choir, studied tap and ballet, and went to theater camp.[1]

Pellman graduated in 2018 from the University of Michigan with a BFA in musical theatre and a minor in creative writing.[5] She has also studied Shakespeare at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.

Career

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.[5]

Ryan Murphy cast Pellman as the protagonist of The Prom named Emma Nolan, after a nation-wide search, in her film debut.[3] 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.'"[6] It was her first film.[5]

In December 2020, Pellman and her co-star from The Prom, Ariana 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.[7]

Personal life

Pellman identifies as queer,[5][6] and came out to her mother in her final year of high school.[6]

Filmography

Film and Television
Year Title Role Notes
2019 Alternatino with Arturo Castro
The University Mary Brandt
The Deuce Bree
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Girl #2
2020 The Prom Emma Nolan Film Debut

Awards and nominations
Year Association Category Nominated Work Result Ref.
2020 Hollywood Critics Association Star on the Rise The Prom Won [8]

References
  1. Brody, Caitlin (December 11, 2020). "Getting to Know Jo Ellen Pellman, the Breakout Star of Netflix's The Prom". Glamour. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  2. Cadenas, Kerensa (December 15, 2020). "Jo Ellen Pellman Knew Her People Were Out There". The Cut. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Meyer, Dan (December 14, 2020). "The Prom Stars Ariana DeBose and Jo Ellen Pellman Launch Unruly Hearts Initiative". Playbill. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  8. Magidson, Joey (December 21, 2020). "The Hollywood Critics Association Releases Their Initial Wave Of Honorary Awards". www.hollywoodnews.com. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
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