Lucy Hale was cast as Aria Montgomery in October 2009. Before her breakthrough role, she starred in the Lifetime original movie “Sorority Wars” and the 2008 feature “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.”
The pilot was shot in Vancouver in December 2009 when Lucy Hale was 20 years old. Born on June 14, 1989, in Memphis, Tennessee, she was just days away from turning 21 when the series premiered on ABC Family on June 8, 2010.
Pretty Little Liars stars Ashley Benson and Lucy Hale pose with branded beach towels in casual summerwear at a promotional beach event in 2012 (Credit: Brian To / Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision / WENN)
The series ended on June 27, 2017, when Lucy Hale was 28 years old. “Till Death Do Us Part,” the series finale of Pretty Little Liars, was the twentieth episode of the seventh season and the 160th overall.
“When people see you on TV every week, they just associate you with that character. They truly believe that I am Aria. People meet me on the street and assume that I’m really naïve and really young. I think people are always shocked to realize, ‘Oh my god, this girl’s a woman, she’s 26 years old!'” she said in an interview with V Magazine in August 2015.
Lucy Hale, age 20, appears in her debut as Aria Montgomery in the 2010 premiere of Pretty Little Liars, sporting long brunette curls and signature feather hair extensions (Credit: ABC Family)
How Lucy Hale Landed Aria: From Hanna Audition to PLL Style Icon
Lucy Hale originally auditioned for the role of Hanna Marin. However, the part of Hanna ultimately went to Ashley Benson. Lucy Hale was later cast as Aria, one of the series’ main characters.
Before starring together in “Pretty Little Liars,” Lucy Hale and Ashley Benson initially met as teenagers through the social networking site MySpace. In a 2020 Wired Autocomplete Interview, Hale revealed that their connection formed when she was 15, facilitated by mutual friends, including Kendall Schmidt from “Big Time Rush.” Their first in-person meeting occurred at Disneyland, marking the beginning of their friendship.
Lucy Hale sparkles in a gold sequin dress for a Pretty Little Liars promo shoot, portraying Aria Montgomery from ages 20 to 28 as her character evolved with the series (Credit: ABC Family)
Secrets, Style, and Screen Time: Lucy Hale’s Role on Pretty Little Liars
In “Pretty Little Liars,” the identity of the mysterious character ‘A’ was a closely guarded secret. It’s rumored that most of the cast members were privy to this secret, except for Lucy Hale. This exclusion was allegedly due to concerns that Hale might inadvertently reveal the secret, as she was perceived as not being particularly adept at keeping secrets.
Ashley Benson and Lucy Hale appear as Hanna and Aria in Pretty Little Liars, though Hale originally auditioned for the role that ultimately went to Benson (Credit: ABC Family)
In a 2015 interview on “Late Night With Seth Meyers,” Lucy Hale confessed to being known for accidentally spilling secrets.
“They won’t tell me,” she said. “I’ve tried everything. I’ve tried like listening at doors. I’ve tried, like, bribing the executive producers and writers. Because they know I would sit here with you, Seth, and it would like accidentally come out.”
Before her red carpet moment at the 2016 People’s Choice Awards, Lucy Hale had already solidified her status as a fan-favorite through her role on Pretty Little Liars—but her fashion choices were also turning heads.
Gothic Glam: Lucy Hale’s Lace-Up Dress and Heels at the 2016 People’s Choice Awards
In January 2016, Lucy Hale joined Ashley Benson and her other “Pretty Little Liars” co-stars on the red carpet at the 2016 People’s Choice Awards in a Gothic-inspired, lace-up frock.
Pretty Little Liars stars Troian Bellisario, Shay Mitchell, Ian Harding, Lucy Hale, and Ashley Benson pose in the press room during the People’s Choice Awards 2016 (Credit: Brian To / Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision / WENN)
At the 42nd People’s Choice Awards, the young actress was nominated for Favorite Cable TV Actress but lost to Sasha Alexander.
Lucy Hale wears her hair up in braids at the People’s Choice Awards 2016 at Microsoft Theater on January 6, 2016, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Brian To / Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision / WENN)
She did walk away with one award, however, as “PLL” won Favorite Cable TV Drama, beating out “Bates Motel,” “The Fosters,” “Rizzoli & Isles,” and “Suits.”
The then-26-year-old actress was a fan of vampy looks at the time, which she pulled out in full force at the Los Angeles awards show.
At the People’s Choice Awards, Lucy Hale donned a Self Portrait lace-up flounced column dress, accessorized with a Lee Savage brass East Stack clutch, Vanessa Leu’s Wish Opaque Diamond statement ring and drop earrings, and Brian Atwood Besame pumps (Credit: Brian To / Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision / WENN)
The “Privileged” star embodied gothic glamour in a black Self-Portrait dress, which revealed some skin behind its lace and corset-style ribbons.
The ankle-length dress featured a cleavage-baring lace-up neckline and a textured sheer-paneled skirt.
A closer look at Lucy Hale’s captivating lace-up detail on her chic black lace Self-Portrait dress, an embodiment of intricate design and style (Credit: Brian To / Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision / WENN)
Lucy furthered the goth vibe by styling the dress with all-black accessories, including a pair of Vanessa Leu earrings, a matching ring, and a Lee Savage clutch.
The Wizards of Waverly Place actress wore her dark locks up in a chic Victorian-inspired braided updo, and she added dark red lipstick for a sultry pop of color.
Lucy Hale styles her black Self-Portrait dress with a pair of Brian Atwood heels (Credit: Brian To / Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision / WENN)
Lucy showed off her small feet in black calf hair Brian Atwood “Besame” pumps.
A detailed view of Lucy Hale’s fashionable choice in footwear: Brian Atwood pumps, adding a sophisticated touch to her ensemble (Credit: Brian To / Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision / WENN)
Lucy Hale’s Boldest Fashion & Footwear Moments: Red Carpet to Street Style
From red carpet glam to off-duty chic, Lucy Hale consistently impresses with her versatile fashion choices. Here are some standout style moments:
Lucy Hale’s Paris Fashion Week SS24 Looks
- Event: Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2024
- Outfits: Lucy showcased four stunning ensembles, including a black Elie Saab gown and a vibrant pink Giambattista Valli dress.
- Footwear: She paired her outfits with elegant heels that complemented each look.
- Read more: Lucy Hale’s 4 Best Looks at Paris Fashion Week SS24
Lucy Hale Elevates Summer Denim with Gucci Mules
- Event: Casual outing in Los Angeles
- Outfit: Lucy styled a light gray V-neck sweater with dark blue straight-leg jeans.
- Footwear: She completed the look with white Gucci “Princetown” mule slippers.
- See more: How Lucy Hale Elevates Summer Denim Outfit With Gucci Princetown Mule Slippers
Lucy Hale Dazzles in Dolce & Gabbana at InStyle Awards
- Event: InStyle Awards 2021
- Outfit: Lucy wore a bespoke gold mini dress adorned with citrine Swarovski crystals.
- Footwear: She paired the dress with metallic gold platform sandals.
- Discover more: Lucy Hale Dazzles in Dolce & Gabbana Swarovski Crystal Mesh Mini Dress and Gold Sandals
Lucy Hale Shimmers in Simkhai Abel Gown at 2025 Fashion Trust U.S. Awards
Among the many eye-catching celebrity looks of the night, Lucy Hale stood out with a daring yet elegant ensemble that perfectly captured the evening’s celebration of fashion innovation.
Lucy Hale stuns in a crystal-embellished Simkhai Abel gown paired with strappy metallic heels at the 2025 Fashion Trust U.S. Awards at The Lot at Formosa on April 8, 2025, in West Hollywood, California (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)
Lucy Hale’s Romantic-Goth Look in Versace
- Event: Fashion Trust Awards
- Outfit: Lucy embraced a romantic-goth aesthetic in a black Versace dress with Orchid Barocco jacquard print.
- Footwear: She completed the ensemble with Versace’s Aevitas platform pumps.
- See her look: Lucy Hale Wows in Romantic-Goth Orchid Barocco Slit Dress Amid Alcohol Addiction Confession
Lucy Hale Hosts ‘Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin’ Premiere
- Event: Special screening at Warner Bros. Studios
- Outfit: Lucy donned a green vegan leather suit from Staud, paired with a denim corset.
- Footwear: She wore Giuseppe Zanotti’s “Bebe” platform pumps.
- Explore her style: Lucy Hale Hosts Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin Premiere in Staud Vegan Leather Suit
These fashion highlights showcase Lucy Hale’s dynamic style evolution, from edgy streetwear to sophisticated red-carpet ensembles.
Lucy Hale’s four-inch Brian Atwood heels featured scalloped exterior sides and pointed toes. While they’re no longer available online, similar styles can still be found at Nordstrom.
Brian Atwood “Besame” Wave-Side Pumps, $865