She was born in Marietta, Georgia, United States of America and currently lives in Atlanta. Shelli was born in a middle class family, where her parents were teachers; her mother taught school level and her father was a University lecturer. Born as the middle of five children, she has twin sister who is just a couple of minutes elder than her, and they all grew up together in their home. She studied at a local school, and later studied designing at University of Atlanta. After completing her curse, she started her own business and later joined the “Big Brother” show, which made her even more popular. Born and raised in the Unites States, she is an American by nationality and belongs to white ethnicity.