Hollie Stenson was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Her father's job moved the family to Fort Worth, Texas when she was around 9 years old. Spending her formative years in Texas, she received an undergraduate degree in Broadcast Journalism and worked as a reporter for 2 years for an ABC affiliate in Texas. While in college and reporting, she studied acting and developed a passion for it. Performing in community theater on weekends while supporting herself with her reporting job, she finally decided to quit and pursue acting full time.