| “ | I don’t know if she knows this, but I always say she’s like the little sister that I never had. I mean, obviously she’s not that far of an age difference from me, but she has little sister qualities and she is a little bit more of a jokester than I am. She brings out the lightheartedness in me and the goof in me that might not have been brought out so much over here. | ” |
— Shay talking about Ashley
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Shayley (also known as, "ButtahBenzo") is the real-life pairing between Shay Mitchell (Emily Fields) and Ashley Benson (Hanna Marin). Shayley are best friends off-screen and spend a lot of time together.
Background[]
The pair had a series of live streams that they called, The ButtahBenzo Show, which featured them answering fan questions and goofing off on-camera. However, the show ended after only a few streams.
In a Seventeen magazine interview, Ashley Benson told them that Shay Mitchell is her best friend and she helps her with her love life. Ashley and Shay also post many photos on Twitter and Instagram of them together.
They have always had a close relationship. They are frequently seen together outside of the show. In an interview, Shay referred to Ashley as "the little sister that I never had".
While working on Pretty Little Liars, Shay had pictures of her and Ashley on her wall in her trailer room.
During hiatus from filming PLL over Halloween week, the duo went on a haunted hayride together in Los Angeles. In addition to a hayride, they went on a carousel and through a haunted house.
In 2014, the girls traveled to Disneyland together and donned Mickey Mouse hats and smiles. They took lots of pictures, and went on a number of rides. In the same year, they spent New Years Eve day together and celebrated later that night with one another.
In 2016, the two attended the EMA's together and booked a joint hotel room. While there, they stayed for an extra few days so they could go on a, "Shaycation".
Ship Name[]
"ButtahBenzo", the commonly used ship-name for the duo, is often used by the actresses and fans. However, the actresses started using the ship-name first, and fans later picked up on it. ButtahBenzo is a combination of the nicknames that the two have for each other. Buttah is Ashley's nickname for Shay, as Ashley jokes that the name originated from Shea (pronounced 'Shay') Butter. Benzo originated from Ashley's last name, Benson, which Shay started using during the first season of filming PLL.
Another commonly used ship name is "Shayley", the combination of both girls names.
Trivia[]
- Shayley are best friends and the closest out of the PLL cast.
- Ashley refers to Shay as her "boo" and "wifey", and also calls her by her full name, Shannon.
- They hang out outside of filming and are often seen on the others social media (Snapchat, Instagram stories, etc).
- Both support the ship "Hanily" which is the relationship between their respective characters, Hanna and Emily.
- They had trouble filming scenes together as they couldn't keep a straight face, and the majority of the bloopers in the early seasons were of them laughing.
- Shay, in response to a fan's question via Twitter, that if Emily had to date a liar other then Alison she would want Emily to date Hanna. She also tagged, #ButtahBenzo and Ashley's twitter.
- They both are big fans of Naya Rivera and Glee.
- During an interview for Buzzfeed, Tyler Blackburn said that Shay and Ashley are the closest friends on set.
- Shay wears a necklace that says "Buttah" on it, which is a tribute to Ashley's nickname for her.
- They went to Disneyland together in 2014.
- They spent Valentine's Day 2016 together, and affectionately called it, "Galentine's Day".
Quotes[]
Ashley: Shay Mitchell is my other half! |
Shay: Ashley and I using the excuse that we would be cuddled on the couch together just to, like, "stay warm." So we were like, we'll be on the couch... Under the blanket... Troian: That was probably the beginning of ButtahBenzo. Shay: Yeah, that was probably the beginning. Shay talking about ButtahBenzo |
Shay: Don't skip class for us! No, you have to go back to school! Ashley: Skip class! Just kidding. Shay: Ashley... Ashley: Stay in school, kids. Or you'll end up like me. [Shayley during a live-stream] |
Shay (about meeting Ashley): Love at first sight! She is like my sister! |
shaymitchell: To my little sis on her birthday - PLL has given me so many things I'm thankful for but you are easily at the top of that list. Having experienced something so life-changing together has bonded us in a way that's impossible to describe, and I am forever grateful you were by my side the entire time (literally 😬). We have spent so many early mornings and late nights together and it's those moments, those exhausted, delirious, and hilarious moments I can't wait to look back on in five years and tell our kids about years after that. I know this next year of your life will be your best yet and I am so lucky to be along for the ride. I love you Benz and I'm so thankful you were born. - Buttah 🙌🏽🎂👭 #buttahbenzo [Shay's birthday message to Ashley] |
Gallery[]
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