Miranda Rae Mayo has made a name for herself on the NBC drama Chicago Fire, captivating audiences with her

portrayal of Stella Kidd and winning over fans as one-half of the show’s beloved on-screen couple, “Stellaride.” But

away from the cameras, the talented actress prioritizes self-care, family, and community.

Discovering Her Passion for Acting

Miranda’s journey to stardom began in her sixth-grade production of The Wizard of Oz, where she landed the coveted role of the Wicked Witch of the West. “It was pretty much a wrap after that,” she recalls in an interview with Tell Tale TV.

Following high school, Miranda moved to Los Angeles to pursue a modeling career, eventually making her TV debut in 2011. Before joining Chicago Fire, she appeared in notable roles on Days of Our Lives, Pretty Little Liars, and Blood & Oil.

A Home Away from Home in Chicago

As a long-running member of the Chicago Fire cast, Miranda spends a significant amount of time in the Windy City. When asked about her favorite spots by Fangirlish, she shared: “Most days you can find me spinning or lifting with Emily Hutchins, the owner of On Your Mark Fitness. There is an incredible juice and crystal shop called Infiniteus on North Ave; I spend a good amount of my time and money there as well.”

Prioritizing Self-Care and Mental Health

Health and wellness have always been essential to Miranda, who works with The Holistic Life Foundation to educate underserved communities on mindfulness and yoga practices. For her, taking time for self-care is crucial: “Lots of music and yoga. I also just love to be with my family…my blood family, my chosen family, my LA family, my Chicago Fire family, my spiritual family, etc.”

Playing Stella has been instrumental in Miranda’s mental health journey. “One of the things that I love about Stella is she is courageous, not only in her profession but in her relationships,” she shares. “Stella has been an incredible vehicle for me to explore many different sides of myself…It has also been challenging to go through that kind of shadow work in public.”

Love Life

Miranda is known for her undeniable chemistry with co-star Taylor Kinney, but the two are simply good friends. She was previously linked to co-star Luke Baines after teaming up on the movie The Girl in the Photographs and cuddling up at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2015. Currently, Miranda appears to be single.