Shaylene Benson is an American dancer and former actress best known for her work in dance and entertainment. She has also attracted public attention as the older sister of actress Ashley Benson.
Born on August 25, 1988, in Long Beach, California, Shaylene began competitive dancing at a young age. Her career later included professional dance performances, appearances on television, and a role in Bring It On: Fight to the Finish. She also worked as a Pilates and fitness professional before moving into a more family-focused chapter of her life.
Unlike her sister, who became internationally recognized through acting, Shaylene’s career has largely centered on dance, fitness, and performance.
Shaylene Benson Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shaylene Marie Benson |
| Born | August 25, 1988 |
| Birthplace | Long Beach, California, U.S. |
| Profession | Dancer, former actress, fitness professional |
| Sister | Ashley Benson |
| Parents | Shannon Harte and Jeff Benson |
| Husband | Adam Swerdlow |
| Married | June 18, 2020 |
| Children | Hazel Harte Swerdlow and Mabel James Swerdlow |
| Known For | Dance, Bring It On: Fight to the Finish, The Nightlife, Dance Revolution |
| Former Professional Role | Los Angeles Lakers Girl |
IMDb identifies Shaylene’s birth name as Shaylene Marie Benson and lists Ashley Benson as her sibling.
Early Life and Dance Background
Shaylene Benson grew up in Long Beach, California. According to biographical sources, she started dancing competitively when she was only 3 years old.
Her training included several dance styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, modern, and lyrical dance. She also performed as a Sparkid for the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks from 2003 to 2005.
Starting so young gave Shaylene years of experience before she entered professional entertainment.
Dance eventually became more than a childhood hobby. It became the foundation for much of her professional career.
Shaylene Benson and Ashley Benson
One of the most common reasons people search for Shaylene Benson is her connection to Ashley Benson.
Shaylene is Ashley’s older sister. Ashley later became widely known for playing Hanna Marin on Pretty Little Liars and for appearing in films and other television projects.
The sisters followed different professional paths. Ashley pursued mainstream acting, while Shaylene focused more heavily on dance, fitness, and live performance.
Their family connection has continued to attract attention because both sisters developed careers in entertainment, although Shaylene has generally maintained a lower public profile.
Professional Dance Career
Shaylene’s strongest professional background is in dance.
Her experience includes live performances, sports entertainment, television, commercials, and music-related projects. Sources also credit her with appearances at NBA All-Star events and other professional performances.
Her dance experience helped prepare her for performance work where timing, physical control, and teamwork are essential.
She later expanded her career into fitness and movement-based instruction, building on the skills she developed through years of dance.
Shaylene Benson as a Lakers Girl
One of the most notable parts of Shaylene Benson’s dance career was her time as a Los Angeles Lakers Girl.
Available career records place her with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2011–2012 season.
Being part of a professional NBA dance team requires more than performing choreography. Dancers must maintain strong physical conditioning, learn routines quickly, work as a team, and perform consistently in front of large crowds.
For Shaylene, the role represented an important step in her professional performance career.
Shaylene Benson’s Fitness Career
Dance eventually led Shaylene toward the fitness and wellness industry.
Career records show that she became a certified Pilates instructor and later worked in Pilates coordination and management. Records also list work connected with Barre instruction.
Her dance background made this transition a natural one. Both disciplines require attention to posture, balance, flexibility, strength, and controlled movement.
This part of her career also shows that her professional life extended beyond acting and entertainment.
Shaylene Benson’s Acting and TV Appearances
Although Shaylene is primarily associated with dance, she also has several screen credits.
IMDb lists her among the performers known for:
- Dance Revolution (2006)
- Bring It On: Fight to the Finish (2009)
- The Nightlife (2010)
IMDb identifies her The Nightlife role as Dancer, while Bring It On: Fight to the Finish lists her as Sea Lion.
TV Guide also lists her credits in The Nightlife, Bring It On: Fight to the Finish, and Dance Revolution.
Dance Revolution
Dance Revolution was one of Shaylene’s earliest listed screen appearances. IMDb credits her as appearing as herself in the 2006 series.
The project fit naturally with her background because dance was already the center of her professional life.
Bring It On: Fight to the Finish
Shaylene appeared in the 2009 film Bring It On: Fight to the Finish.
The movie is part of the popular Bring It On franchise and centers on competitive cheerleading. Shaylene is credited as Sea Lion in the film’s cast listings.
Her appearance connected her real-world dance experience with a movie built around choreography and cheerleading.
The Nightlife
In 2010, Shaylene appeared in The Nightlife. IMDb and TV Guide list her as a dancer in the production.
These credits show that her screen career was closely connected to her professional dance background.
Shaylene Benson’s Marriage to Adam Swerdlow
Shaylene Benson married Adam Swerdlow on June 18, 2020.
IMDb lists the couple as married and identifies them as having two children.
Public career records also connect Adam Swerdlow with the entertainment industry. IMDb lists him for additional-crew work on The Chosen, including a chief operating officer credit.
The couple has generally kept their family life away from the level of publicity associated with major Hollywood celebrities.
Does Shaylene Benson Have Children?
Yes. Publicly available biographical records identify two daughters:
- Hazel Harte Swerdlow
- Mabel James Swerdlow
IMDb lists both children in Shaylene’s biographical information.
Some secondary sources report that Hazel was born in April 2021 and Mabel in April 2023. Because those dates are not as strongly documented as Shaylene’s professional credits, they are best treated as reported information rather than independently confirmed facts.
Shaylene Benson’s Life Outside Acting
Shaylene’s career illustrates why describing her simply as an actress would be incomplete.
Her professional history includes:
- Competitive dance
- Professional sports entertainment
- Television appearances
- Film work
- Pilates instruction
- Barre instruction
- Fitness management
Career records indicate that she worked as a Pilates instructor and coordinator at Equinox and held other fitness-related positions before later focusing more heavily on family and personal life.
This broader background explains why she continues to attract interest even though she has not pursued the same level of acting fame as Ashley Benson.
Shaylene Benson and Social Media
Shaylene Benson has also maintained a public social-media presence under the name Shaylene Swerdlow.
However, information about social-media accounts can change, and third-party sites sometimes associate the same username with unrelated individuals. For that reason, readers should verify an account directly before treating it as Shaylene’s official profile.
This is especially important because search results for her name can sometimes mix her information with that of other people.
What Is Shaylene Benson Doing Now?
As of 2026, Shaylene Benson is best understood as a former professional performer and fitness professional who has built a life away from the center of Hollywood publicity.
Her documented career includes dance, professional cheerleading, acting appearances, and fitness work.
Public information about her current professional activities is limited, so it would be inaccurate to claim that she currently holds a specific job or runs a particular business without stronger confirmation.
Her lower public profile appears to be an important part of her life today.
Shaylene Benson Age in 2026
Shaylene Benson was born on August 25, 1988.
As of August 12, 2026, she is 37 years old and will turn 38 on August 25, 2026. Her birth date and birthplace are consistently listed by major entertainment databases.
Shaylene Benson’s Career Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1988 | Born in Long Beach, California |
| Childhood | Began competitive dance |
| 2003–2005 | Performed as a Sparkid for the WNBA Sparks |
| 2006 | Appeared in Dance Revolution |
| 2008 | Reportedly earned Pilates certification |
| 2009 | Appeared in Bring It On: Fight to the Finish |
| 2010 | Appeared in The Nightlife |
| 2010 | Reportedly earned Barre certification |
| 2011–2012 | Worked as a Los Angeles Lakers Girl |
| 2020 | Married Adam Swerdlow |
| 2021 | First daughter reportedly born |
| 2023 | Second daughter reportedly born |
| 2026 | 37 years old |
The professional milestones are supported by available entertainment and career records; some family dates come from secondary sources and should be treated accordingly.
What Is Shaylene Benson Best Known For?
Shaylene Benson is best known for her dance career, her time as a Los Angeles Lakers Girl, her appearance in Bring It On: Fight to the Finish, and her family connection to Ashley Benson.
Her IMDb profile specifically identifies Bring It On: Fight to the Finish, The Nightlife, and Dance Revolution among her notable credits.
Her career is therefore broader than the actress label often used in online biographies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shaylene Benson?
Shaylene Benson is an American dancer and former actress from Long Beach, California. She is also the older sister of actress Ashley Benson.
When was Shaylene Benson born?
Shaylene Benson was born on August 25, 1988, in Long Beach, California.
How old is Shaylene Benson?
She is 37 years old as of August 12, 2026.
Is Shaylene Benson Ashley Benson’s sister?
Yes. Shaylene is Ashley Benson’s older sister.
What movies has Shaylene Benson appeared in?
Her best-known film credit is Bring It On: Fight to the Finish (2009). She also has television credits for Dance Revolution and The Nightlife.
Was Shaylene Benson a Lakers Girl?
Yes. Available biographical records identify her as a Los Angeles Lakers Girl during the 2011–2012 NBA season.
Who is Shaylene Benson’s husband?
Shaylene Benson married Adam Swerdlow on June 18, 2020.
Does Shaylene Benson have children?
Yes. Public biographical records identify two daughters, Hazel Harte Swerdlow and Mabel James Swerdlow.
What did Shaylene Benson do before becoming a mother?
Her documented career included competitive dance, professional cheerleading, acting appearances, Pilates instruction, Barre instruction, and fitness management.
Conclusion
Shaylene Benson’s story is much broader than her connection to Ashley Benson.
She built her own career through years of dance training, professional performances, television appearances, fitness instruction, and work with the Los Angeles Lakers. Her screen credits include Dance Revolution, Bring It On: Fight to the Finish, and The Nightlife.
Her career also shows how entertainment professionals can move between different fields. Shaylene went from competitive dance to professional sports entertainment and later into Pilates and fitness.
Today, much of the public interest around her comes from her family connection to Ashley Benson and her earlier work as a dancer and performer. However, the available evidence shows that Shaylene Benson established her own professional identity long before becoming a frequently searched celebrity sibling.
