Biography

The production of Minka Kelly's early career involved a relocation from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Los Angeles at age 18 to reconnect with her biological father, former Aerosmith guitarist Rick Dufay. While attending acting classes, she completed a year of vocational training to qualify as a surgical technician. The performer maintained a dual professional schedule for four years, working as a scrub nurse in operating rooms while simultaneously auditioning for film and television roles.

Minka Kelly relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico, during junior high school and remained through her graduation from Valley High School in 1998.

Esquire magazine designated Minka Kelly as the "Sexiest Woman Alive" on October 11, 2010. This editorial recognition occurred during her professional transition between the final season of Friday Night Lights and the domestic thriller The Roommate. The publication featured Kelly on the cover of the November 2010 issue to document the title.

Her secret engagement to Derek Jeter, which became public in January 2010, ended in August 2011.

The production of the television series Friday Night Lights (2006) required her to undergo extensive cheer-leading maneuvers, which she executed after training with the Pflugerville High School cheer-leading squad in Texas.

And anyway, modeling wasn't for me. I'm too short. I've got a big butt. It wasn't going to happen.

I think brutal honesty is extremely important. Don't be afraid of being up-front about your feelings and your life.

I learned how to scuba dive, which is something that I've always wanted to do.

In any solid, good relationship, it takes a while to trust someone.

I think the most attractive thing for me when I meet a guy is confidence and him being comfortable in his own skin. I like someone who doesn't need approval or validation.