Amanda Jelks began performing at an early age, singing and dancing. When she was 9, she was offered an acting part in a local musical production, then she was hooked. She played the lead in several productions in school and community Theatre (Penny - "You Can't Take It With You," Mrs. Hoopway - "Beauty Pageant,"Etc.), then auditioned for the prestigious New Orleans Center of the Creative Arts, where she was offered a full scholarship. She studied Drama and Musical Theatre at NOCCA, while attending Hammond High School. She is the daughter of Melissa Miller and Rodney Jelks. She has two sisters, Jessica (older) and Abigail (younger) and one brother, Jamie (younger). After Hurricane Katrina, Amanda attended two years at The University of New Orleans' Drama Program. She recently filmed Cabin Fever 2 and is auditioning for NYU's Stella Adler Conservitory.