Michelle La (neé Kang) was born in Orange County and raised in Glendale, California. She attended Biola University and studied biochemistry, pursuing a brief career working at a lab for the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts. The job involved testing treated waste water before it was discharged into the ocean, though she more fondly remembers the gig as "analyzing poop water." A few years ago, La began earnestly pursuing an acting career and has held roles in CBS's Mom and Netflix's Gilmore Girls revival. "Searching", which made its world premiere at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, is La's first feature film role, where she plays missing daughter Margot Kim. She's married to Frank, a specialty coffee professional, and loves her daughter Bailey Gianna La and her cream colored Maltese, Maple.