Christian was born Gabrielle Christine Horchler in Washington, D.C. to parents Gabe and Joani. She grew up in Cheverly, Maryland. She began performing in plays at age 12. She has four sisters (Gen, Steph, Jules, Ili). Christian acquired her first acting job while she still attending high school at Eleanor Roosevelt High School located in Greenbelt, Maryland, on the television series Young Americans.[1] She studied one and half years of theater at the University of Pittsburgh, before relocating to Los Angeles, California after landing roles on several television series[1]What Should You Do?, Without a Trace and Drake & Josh.[3] Her most notable role was portraying Spencer Carlin on The N's hit television series South of Nowhere which aired for three seasons between 2005 and 2008.[1] Outside of South Of Nowhere, Christian appeared in CSI: Miami as Amy Hobbs in the Season six episode "Permanent Vacation."[3] In 2006 she appeared as Miranda Keyton in the "Truth Be Told and Priceless" episodes of Windfall. In 2007 Christian portrayed Colby Robson in Angela Robinson's Girltrash! web-series alongside South of Nowhere co-star Mandy Musgrave. In 2008 she appeared in the "Atomic No. 33" episode of Numbers.[3] In 2010 she appeared as Justine Grogan, the daughter of Abbey Grogan (Jennifer Grey), on the "Unplanned Parenthood" episode of House.[4] In August 2011 she guest starred on The Protector as lab assistant Laurel Nash. Christian has two films yet to be released the first being You're Cordially Uninvited where she portrays Rose, a woman who is engaged to another woman (Lisa), but wishes not to have to face her parents and their reaction. The second film was released in 2014 and is the musical film to the Girltrash! web series titled Girltrash: All Night Long where she will once again portray Colby Robson.[3]
On June 2, 2011 Christian released her first single entitled "Kissing Mandy" to iTunes.[5]
On March 24, 2020, Christian starred in the Canadian TV filmVintage Hearts (alternatively named Love's Second Chance), which premiered on September 21, 2020 on the Hallmark Channel.[6] She portrays Rose Padero, a fashion stylist living in New York who moves back home to inherit her grandmother's small-town shop.
In 2021, Christian joined the cast of A Hui Hou, a film written and directed by filmmaker J.R. Niles.[7] The film is currently in post-production as of August 2022.[8] She also joined Niles for two additional films, Bonds of Redemption and Maria De Luna.[9]
Personal life
Christian helps her mother with the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) organization. The organization was created by her mother after the loss of her son in 1991. She uses the surname Christian in memory of her brother. Her mother has written a book, often known as the SIDS "Bible". The book features a poem Christian wrote when she was eight.[1]
Christian became the spokesperson for the organization FAIR Fund,[10] which works to engage youth in the areas of human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault prevention. She hosts cocktail events to showcase jewelry made by girls participating in the JewelGirls program.[11] Christian's father is from Hungary. She speaks fluent Hungarian, conversational French, and basic Russian.[12]
Christian maintains close friendships with fellow South of Nowhere cast members Maeve Quinlan and Mandy Musgrave. Christian married longtime boyfriend Justin Mentzer on July 11, 2009 at Saint Timothy's Chapel in Mentzer's home town of Drummond, Montana with the reception held at the Mentzers' family ranch.[2]