Mathis grew up in the Detroit area where she said she formed a strong bond with her family. She has said, “I'm a definite Midwest kid. I like green grass and playing outside and all of that. My upbringing was very down home,” Mathis briefly participated in beauty pageants and won her first of only two competitions she’d ever participated in: Miss Teen Michigan. She didn't place in the national pageant but went on to study communications and Business at Northwestern University. While there, she embraced acting and explored her talent off-campus. She later pursued her passion and moved to New York.
