about
ACTRESS, MODEL, MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, ENTREPRENEUR, PHILANTHROPIST
…and… Beauty Queen…
Canada’s little Gem. Known to many as the image of beauty as a model & actress, to others an entrepreneur and business-woman, and to the world a person who cares about others; Shannon seems to find time to “have it all”.
This “small town” city girl has taken even Hollywood by the reins, gliding down the most extravagant red carpets and dining with celebrities at various events and parties. With her extensive catalog of international contacts, she is an intense contender in the entertainment industry.
Her strong element of professionalism and entrepreneurial mind-set place her apart from the standard industry “beauty”. A mentor and role model to women all over the world; she empowers women and promotes an extraordinary example of the modern woman, even going as far as wearing a dress made out of Burlap (potato sac) on the red carpet at one of her Grammy Award appearances to make a point about inner beauty.
Studying at multiple Canadian and American Universities/Colleges, Shannon brings both attractiveness and brains to the table. Taking Microbiology and Commerce at the University of Saskatchewan and Acting for Film at New York Film Academy in Los Angeles are just a couple of the ways that Shannon continues to grow her education.
With 10 years in professional modeling experience, 8 years in business management and sales, this tv producer/writer/actor doesn’t stop there. Helping organizations and causes all over the world, Shannon donates a large portion of her time to helping others. The Red Cross and World Vision being two of her main causes, she sponsors children and is an Ambassador for the American Red Cross Santa Monica Chapter.
Raised in the small northern town of Cranberry Portage, Manitoba, Shannon stays true to her roots and keep close to home by appreciating all of the small things in life. She continually thanks her family for their constant support and her friends for their guidance over the years. Shannon has achieve extraordinary success in the short time she has been on this earth, but we all know she is not close to being done.
Make sure and check back for updates on Shannon’s projects and to see all of the fascinating new endeavors that this wonderful young lady takes on.
Follow:
www.facebook.com/misscanada.abelleavanti
Other websites:
www.shannonsmadellainitiative.com
Facts & Figures:
Please not that much of this information is taken from the interviews that she has given since 2007. It is therefore quite possible that some of it no longer applies.
First Name: Shannon; from the Irish origin (meaning small old wise one), however her true heritage is Ukrainian. Shannon was born and raised in Canada.
Last Name: Lynn; stage name, which happens to be her middle name. She has kept the middle name in order to help maintain her privacy and keep her family out of the spotlight. She does however use her real name in business & school.
Also Known As: Abelle Avanti; the name of her fashion line. Her custom designs have been worn on Red Carpets such as the Grammy Awards, and the American Red Cross Red Tie Affair, both in Los Angeles, CA. She designs for men and women.
Homes: Growing up Shannon lived in Cranberry Portage, MB, and moved to Flin Flon, MB half way through her grade 11 year. In 1999, she moved to Saskatoon, SK to attend the University of Saskatchewan. Since her crowning in 2008, she has lived in Toronto, ON; Calgary, AB, Los Angeles, CA; and Beverly Hills, CA. She has toured five countries. She currently obtains a home in Calgary, AB, Canada, and Beverly Hills, CA. Shannon likes to spend time in Winnipeg, MB visitng her family in her free time.
Height: 5 feet 6 inches, according to her drivers lisence.
Hair: Blonde & long, naturally straight. She often throws in curls for media appearances. Her hair has been looked after by Carmen, a hairstylist in Calgary, AB, from 2008-2009, and Ronda, also a hairstylist from Calgary, AB 2010-present. Shannon often uses Hi Chic hair extension for media appearances.
Languages: English is her primary language, however she has studied French since grade 8, and has taken additional French language classes in University. Due to her travels in South America, she has also picked up the Spanish language, however is not fluent in it.
Siblings: One
Parents: Shannon’s parents reside in her home town, and have been married for over 30 years. Her grandparents have been married for over 55 years, and also reside in Shannon’s home town.
Schooling:A straight-A student, and always top of her class since grade school, she graduated with a slew of honour from Hapnot Collegiate in Flin Flon, MB in June of 1999. Due to taking additional science correspondence courses (as her desire was to go to medical school and be a doctor), she finished high-school 6 months early in January of 1999. During her time off before graduation, Shannon held three different jobs in order to save money for University.
Favorite Subjects: Math, Biology, Genetics, Communications, Philosophy
Discovered:Shannon first started her modeling career upon moving to Saskatchewan, Canada in 1999. She has been attending events and working with companies nationally and internationally sine 1999 in the modeling & acting (commercials, independent film, hosting - tv) world. She currently holds endorsement contracts with 9 companies. Being crowned in 2008, to represent Canada in 2009, Shannon has toured internationally and has had an opportunity to attend and model in various fashion weeks, meet A list Celebrities, and be a spokesperson for internationally recognized companies.
Hobbies: Yoga, reading, clothing design, writing
Addictions:Skor Blizzards & Cadbury Mini Eggs
Eating Habbits:Shannon has been a vegetarian since 2007. She generally eats a healthy diet prescribed by her nutritionist, however, likes to indulge in french fries and eat at her favourite restaurant in Burbank, Poquito Mas on Olive Avenue.
Sports: In high school, Shannon was on the wrestling team, volleyball team, basketball team, and fastball team. In University she was a member of the Wrestling team and wrestled competitively. She is a fully trained Yoga Instructor and will only teach Volunteer (she has never taught for money). She has taught over 200 volunteer hours at various locations in Canada.
Favorite Actors: Will Smith, Brad Pit, Angelina Jolie, Edward Norton
High School Crush:Marc Paul Gasselaar - Zac Morris from “Saved by the Bell”, whom she had an opportunity to meet and cycle with in November of 2010, when she invited him to attend the charity cycling tour that she had founded in 2009.
Favorite Musicians:Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Jack Johnson, Ray LaMontange
Favorite TV Shows:Ellen, The Doctors, Keeping up with the Kardashians
Favorite Books:Buddha - Deepak Chopra, The Power of Now - Eckhart Tole, Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell, The Theory of Everything - Ken Wilbur
Business: Before Shannon’s career change full-time into the entertainment industry, she was a top sales and business development executive with TV/Media/Advertising & Marketing companies. She has received numerous awards nationally and internationally. She is an entrepreneur of 10 years, to this date owning five companies in Marketing, Fashion, Event Planning and the Non-Profit sector.
Accolades: Nominated as a woman of distinction in 2009 for her philanthropic work, recognized by the American Red Cross of Santa Monica for her volunteer work on a 4000 km cycling tour to raise funds for the organization. Various awards in modeling & acting.
Favorite Quotes: “Be the change that you want to see in the world” - Mahatma Gandhi; “Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal.” - Vince Lombardi
Regularly Attended Events: Grammy Awards, The Red Tie Affair - American Red Cross of Santa Monica, Henry Burris All Star Weekend (CFL), Bryan Mudryk Charity Golf Tournament, The Ride for Red
Charity: Shannon has devoted over 3000 hours to various organizations and charties in Canada and the United States. She has traveled to Ecuador and Mexico to aid in relief missions. She founded The Ride for Red in 2009, a 4000 km cycling tour from Calgary, AB to Los Angeles, CA, in which she devoted five months to, including cycling the 4000 km ride.
Favorite moment: When she wore a dress made out of burlap (the same material that potatoe sacs are made out of), on the Red Carpet at the Grammy Awards in 2009, to make a statement about inner beauty and confidence for young women. She later appeared on CTV and various news articles to speak about the cause. In 2009 she toured Canada, speaking to young women about the importance of self confidence and knowing that it is ‘inner beauty’ that is most important.
Books: The Burlap Beauty Queen - release 2011 (childrens); [Working title] - A look behind the scenes, Miss Canada - release 2011; The Ride - A journey to success - release 2011
Bucket List & Life Desires: Shannon’s motive (behind everything that she does), is to help others. A few things she says are on her bucket list (to do on this earth before she dies): Have her own reality TV show, write 5 books, star in an A-list Hollywood film, meet Anthony Hopkins & Brad Pitt, meet the Dahli Lama, raise over 10 million dollars for chairty, donate over 10 million dollars to charity, buy her parents a vacation home in Phoenix, have two children of her own, adopt two children, be offered to pose in playboy (but not accept), help improve the issue of low self esteem in young women, have a vacation home in a small cabin in the middle of the mountains…
Speaking: She has been public speaking since 2000, and have given over 500 speaches, key notes, motivational talks & workshops. Audiences have ranged from 20 to 1500 people.
Current Projects (2011): Shannon is currently working on producing two different reality TV shows which are being pitched to broadcasters in 2011. She has put her fashion line on hold to take some time off to focus on family and friends, but will continue designing custom fashions for friends and other celebrities. She has completed one of her books, and currently working on finishing the two others, with an expected launch date of November 2011, just in time for the Holiday season. In 2011, Shannon will continue to entertain public speaking engagements, her current endorsements, and various modeling & acting projects.