Chanel St. James was born on June 1, 1972 in Phoenix, Arizona.  St. James began her career dancing at the Bourbon Street Circus strip club in Phoenix. She was then signed to an exclusive contract with ClubJenna, however in May 2007 her contract was not renewed. In August 2006, St. James was flown to London, England to attend acting, voice, and dance training at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy as one of the four participants in the reality television program My Bare Lady.