Bio
Bianca Lawson is an American actress best known for her starring role as Maya St. Germain, the free-spirited new girl in town who moves into Alison's old house and befriends Emily, in the teen drama television series Pretty Little Liars.
Born in Los Angeles, California, into a family of artists (her mother was an actress and dancer; her father, Richard Lawson, was also an actor). Even though education was stressed heavily, Lawson naturally gravitated to the arts.
She began her foray into the entertainment industry at the age of nine when she booked a national Barbie commercial with Mattel.
Lawson spent her teen years studying acting at the Stella Adler Conservatory and graduating from the prestigious Marymount College Preparatory School. She went on to study film and psychology at University of Southern California.
Lawson's big break came when she was cast in the hit television series Saved by the Bell: The New Class. Her career continued with a string of successful television appearances, including roles on hit shows Dawson's Creek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Steve Harvey Show and Sister, Sister.
She also was awarded the series regular role of Bianca Goode on the hit show Goode Behavior, opposite Sherman Hemsley.
Lawson soon moved into the feature world, with roles in the films Primary Colors and The Temptations (she appeared as Diana Ross), but it was the box office smash Save the Last Dance that brought Lawson acclaim for her starring role opposite Julie Stiles, Sean Patrick Thompson and Kerry Washington.
Lawson went on to star in the romantic comedy Breakin' All the Rules with Jamie Foxx.
Lawson could also be seen in successful recurring arcs on the popular series The Vampire Diaries and The Secret Life of the American Teenager.