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. In a 2009 interview with TeenHollywood, Paxton indicated that she had been accepted to several schools and almost attended New York University, but she made the decision not to go and had no immediate plans of attending college. Paxton delayed plans to attend college, because every time she lined up a class schedule she was offered another movie.
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 has said that attending college was "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. Paxton graduated from El Camino Real High School in June 2006. She grew up in the San Fernando Valley, choosing to attend a public high school instead of accepting homeschooling. ĭuring her childhood, Paxton put on shows and wanted to perform, sometimes dressing up in costume and coming to school as a particular character. Paxton's father is of English, Irish, and Scottish descent, and he converted to Judaism upon marrying her mother. Her mother was born to a Jewish family in Monterrey, Mexico, and raised in the city of Ciudad Acuña. Paxton was born in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, as the only child of Lucia ( née Menchaca Zuckerman) and Steve Paxton. 2.3 2013–present: Television roles and film.