Abi Monterey, also known as Abigail Shapiro, has piqued the interest of many fans. Is she Ben Shapiro’s sister, or is she someone else?
American actress Abi Monterey, whose real name is Abigail Shapiro, shares a surname with famous writer Ben Shapiro. This has made fans curious to know if the two are related or if it’s a mere coincidence. Keep reading to discover the truth!
Abi Monterey’s Biography
Abi Monterey, born Abi Shapiro, is an American actress famous for her role in the hit TV series “Doom Patrol.” She was born on June 20, 2000, in Tampa, Florida, and is 23 years old as of 2023. Her parents are Michelle Shapiro and Eric Shapiro. Details about her parents’ background and professions are not available to the public.
It is also unknown if she has any siblings she might have grown up with except her sister, Milly Shapiro, who is also an actress. Abi spent most of her childhood in Tampa, Florida, but later moved to New York with her family. Her early formal education is unknown, but the actress reportedly studied at Joffrey Ballet School and learned ballet dancing while growing up.
Not long after graduating from the dance school, Abi joined Fordham University seeking a Theatre on Performance Track degree. However, she did not complete her degree and dropped out when she was cast as Dorothy Spinner in “Doom Patrol” season 2.
Is Abi Monterey Ben Shapiro’s Sister?
Abi Monterey is not Ben Shapiro’s sister. Surprisingly, Ben’s younger sister’s real name is also Abigail Shapiro. This causes much confusion among fans because they sometimes can’t tell who is who.
Ben’s sister is nicknamed “Abby” with a “y,” making her a little different from Abi Monterey, the actress. Understandably, there is a lot of confusion around these names as they sound the same, with the difference only being in writing.
Abi Monterey is not Ben Shapiro’s sister, but Abby “Abigail” Shapiro is the writer’s sister. Unlike Abi, the actress, Ben’s sister is a content creator and conservative influencer. She also considers herself a classical woman with traditional values and norms. Abby is also a trained opera singer and showcases her singing talents occasionally.
Like her brother, Abby has had many controversial moments in the industry and is known to be very vocal with strong opinions. Abi Shapiro, the actress, has only one sibling known to the world. She has a sister named Molly Shapiro, who is also an actress. Molly is famous for her role in the horror movie “Hereditary.”
Abi Monterey’s Disease
The “Doom Patrol” actress was born with a bone disease called Cleidocranial Dysplasia (CDD). This disease can affect the development of certain bones and teeth and is quite rare, as it affects about one in a million people.
In this condition, the collarbone is either poorly developed or absent. Also, those affected by this condition are usually shorter than average.
It is also hereditary, so Abi, her mom, and her sister Molly all have this disease. In a phone interview with Insider, Abi spoke about her condition and how she has lived with it. She said,
“I grew up having around 12 surgeries and constant orthodontia. My teeth weren’t looking the best. I spent a lot of my life hiding my face and thinking I was really, really ugly, so that’s how I relate to Dorothy a lot.”
Dorothy Spinner, whom Abi plays in “Doom Patrol,” is a powerful girl with a youthful appearance and personality despite being over 100 years old. She is called the “ape-faced girl” because of her appearance.
One can understand why Abi could relate to this character so much as Dorothy Spinner was isolated from most people for most of her life and turned out not to be what she appeared to be on the outside.
Abi Monterey’s Advocacy for Cleidocranial Dysplasia Disease
The actress has now become an ardent advocate for those with cleidocranial dysplasia who may not have the funding or insurance for surgeries. She also raises a lot of awareness for the disease and is a voice for those with this condition.
In an interview, the young actress said, “I want to speak up about [CCD] now because, as a young female, the beauty standard is almost impossible to adhere to. I want to inspire others with a rare disorder to embrace their imperfections. I feel like you can’t flourish until you embrace what you don’t like about yourself.”
Abi and Molly have become successful actresses, regardless of their rare condition, inspiring millions worldwide. They prove that people with disorders, disabilities, and imperfections can pursue and achieve their goals irrespective of circumstances.
