Paxton, an only child, was born in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California to what she has described as "a very mixed family." Her father, Steve Paxton, is a businessman of Irish and other European descent and is distantly related to actor Bill Paxton. Her mother, Lucia, is a dentist from Monterrey, Mexico, and as a result Paxton speaks some Spanish, although not fluently. Paxton's mother is Jewish Read more...

Paxton has said that singing and acting "went hand in hand" during her early years, though she initially began working as an actress, appearing in musical theater and later in television commercials at a young age. Her first film role was a small part in the 1997 Jim Carrey comedy, Liar Liar. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, she appeared in a number of minor television and film roles, including Read more...

Paxton has said that attending college is "very important" to her because "it is important to expand your mind." In 2006, Paxton applied to the University of Southern California's film studies program, and was not accepted. She has noted that she would like to major in business administration with a minor in history (as she is a "history fanatic") and to start a production company.

Paxton, Read more...