Rachel Melvin

Biography: Actress Rachel Melvin's decision to enter show business can be traced to a most unusual circumstance. The Phoenix resident harbored dreams of acting from early childhood, and found herself torn between accepting a full-ride scholarship to Arizona State University and moving to Los Angeles to make it as an actress. At the last minute, a massive Bingo win at a Las Vegas casino enabled Melvin to pay for Los Angeles-area acting classes in full, and she took this a sign that acting should be her life's calling. Indeed, success after success followed Melvin's move to Los Angeles, including series guest appearances on 8 Simple Rules and Jack & Bobby, extensive commercial work, and -- most significantly -- an ongoing portrayal of teenager Chelsea Benson on the NBC daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives, which she signed for in 2005, at the age of 20, and which brought her substantial Emmy consideration. On the side, Melvin also remained active as a musical theater performer.