Kelley Jakle

Kelley Jakle is an American actress and singer-songwriter. She played the role of Jessica Smith in the Pitch Perfect series (2012–2017) and appeared on the first and second seasons of The Sing-Off in 2009 and 2010. She is also a member of an Americana duo band, Robin Alice.

Early life Jakle was active in music from an early age, performing as part of the Sacramento Children's Chorus, singing The Star-Spangled Banner at sporting events, including a San Francisco 49ers game in 2006, and auditioning for the singing contest American Idol.

After graduating from Loretto High School, Jakle attended the University of Southern California, where she majored in communications. In 2007, Jakle joined the USC a cappella group the SoCal VoCals. During her tenure in the SoCal VoCals, the group won the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella in 2008 and again in 2010.

In 2009, Jakle took part in season one of The Sing-Off, a singing competition televised on NBC, as part of a group called "The SoCals". The SoCals were eliminated in the third episode. In 2010, Jakle again competed on The Sing-Off, this time as part of "The Backbeats". The Backbeats finished the contest in third place.

Career

Upon graduating from USC, Jakle began working as an actress in Los Angeles. Her first film role was as Jessica in the 2012 musical comedy Pitch Perfect, with Jakle being chosen as a "ringer" due to her background in a cappella, at the request of vocal producer Deke Sharon. Jakle reprised her role as Jessica in Pitch Perfect 2 in 2015 and Pitch Perfect 3 in 2017.

In 2013, Jakle released several singles, including a cover of "Ain't It Fun" by Paramore.

On July 29, 2016, Jakle played the role of Marilyn Monroe in Marilyn! The New Musical at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California.

Most recently, Jakle appeared as Sarah in Pitch Perfect co-star Anna Kendrick's 2023 directorial debut, Woman of the Hour.

Personal life Jakle is the great-granddaughter of Major League Baseball executive Branch Rickey.

Filmography

+ Film roles Year Title Role Notes 2012 Pitch Perfect Jessica Smith 2013 42 Alice 2015 Pitch Perfect 2 Jessica Smith 2017 Pitch Perfect 3 2023 Parachute Katie 2023 Romance in Hawaii Leah Davis 2023 Woman of the Hour Sarah

+ Web television roles Year Title Role Notes 2015 Climate Change Deniers' Anthem Singer Funny or Die website 2017 "Poker Face" Singer Postmodern Jukebox website

+ Music video roles Year Title Role Artist(s) 2017 "10000 Days" Best Friend Andy Allo 2018 "Give Me Your Hand" Herself Shannon K 2020 "Love On Top" Jessica Smith Cast of Pitch Perfect

Discography

Extended plays By the Way (2007) Spare Change (2008)

Single Year Single Album 2013 "Ain't It Fun (Jakle & Sontag Remix)" Non album single 2013 "For Love" Non album single 2013 "Free Fallin'" Non album single 2013 "When You Say Nothing at All" Non album single 2014 "My Best Case" Non album single 2014 "Favourite Part of Me" Non album single 2015 "Best Goodbye" Tribute to Abby Wambach 2017 "Poker Face" Postmodern Jukebox release, featured artist