Jo Ellen Pellman: 9 facts about The Prom's Emma Nolan you need to know

1. Who is Jo Ellen Pellman? Get to know The Prom actor here

Jo Ellen Pellman might be a newcomer but after The Prom drops on Netflix, she’s about to win a whole legion of fans. Jo Ellen plays Emma Nolan in The Prom opposite Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and Ariana DeBose. Here’s everything you need to know about the rising star, including her age and previous onscreen roles. [@jellpell via Instagram]

2. How old is Jo Ellen Pellman?

Jo Ellen Pellman is 24 years old. Her birthday is on October 29 and she was born in 1996. [@jellpell via Instagram]

3. How tall is Jo Ellen Pellman?

There’s no specific information about Jo Ellen Pellman’s height online, but she does appear to be of a similar height to her co-star Ariana DeBose who stands at 5ft 4 inches. [@jellpell via Instagram]

4. Where is Jo Ellen Pellman from?

Jo Ellen Pellman is an American actress. She grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and in an Instagram post announcing her casting in The Prom, she said thank you “to Ryan [Murphy] for trusting this lil queer actor from Ohio with the role of a lifetime.” [@jellpell via Instagram]

5. Where did Jo Ellen Pellman go to college?

Jo Ellen Pellman graduated from the University of Michigan, majoring in musical theatre with a minor in creative writing, according to Playbill. She also went to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, where she studied Shakespeare.

6. Is Jo Ellen Pellman on Instagram?

Yes! And you can find her at @jellpell. On her grid, you’ll find snaps from her latest photoshoots, behind the scenes pictures from filming The Prom and some adorable photos from her day to day life! [@jellpell via Instagram]

7. Who plays Emma Nolan in The Prom? Jo Ellen Pellman

Jo Ellen Pellman plays The Prom’s lead character Emma Nolan and she scored the role after a nation-wide search. The Prom is Jo Ellen’s first major on-screen role. In an interview with Broadway.com, Jo Ellen credited casting director Alexa L. Fogel for championing her to Ryan Murphy. She got the call that she’d been cast in the film while she was shopping in a thrift store. [Netflix]

8. What movies and TV shows has Jo Ellen Pellman been in?

The Prom might be Jo Ellen Pellman’s first major on-screen leading role, but she’s made a few appearances on TV before. Her first TV appearance was in Comedy Central’s Alternatino, and she followed that up with roles in HBO’s The Deuce and Amazon Prime’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. [Netflix]

9. Who did Jo Ellen Pellman play in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel?

Before The Prom, Jo Ellen Pellman’s most recent role was in an episode of Amazon Prime’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She can be seen in season 3, episode 5. On IMDb, she's credited as Girl #2. [via Instagram]

10. Jo Ellen Pellman identifies as queer

Jo Ellen Pellman is openly queer. Speaking to The Queer Review, Jo Ellen said: “What was so wonderful about this experience for me is knowing that I could bring my authentic self to this role, and not only be accepted, but celebrated. And I do think that that’s thanks to the work of people like Ryan Murphy, who have been championing LGBTQ representation in the media for decades. And the fact that we’re at a place now where it’s like, I feel so proud that I am out and I am a part of this film.”