Melissa Ordway


Melissa Pam Ordway Gaston is an American actress and model. She has modeled in many campaigns and acted in such films as 17 Again and on television in Privileged. She currently portrays the character of Abby Newman on the drama series The Young and the Restless.

Life

Ordway was born in Atlanta, Georgia, an only child, to John and Christine Ordway. She began doing community theatre in Atlanta and also acting in theatre productions at her high school in Snellville, Georgia. She starred in the stage performances of Beauty and the Beast, The Women, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and many other shows. After graduating from high school, Ordway attended Georgia State University and is a member of the Delta Zeta sorority. While at Georgia State, Melissa was chosen to participate in a reality show on MTV called The Assistant. She won the show and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting and modeling.
On September 22, 2012 she married Justin Gaston, whom she met during the filming of Escapee. In 2016, Gaston and Ordway adopted their first child, a daughter named Olivia Christine, born April 2016. Ordway gave birth to a daughter, their second child, Sophie Jolie, on December 9, 2017.

Career

Modeling

She moved to Los Angeles and signed with Nous Model Management. She started booking national campaigns and magazine covers almost immediately. Melissa's first big campaign was for Skechers. Within a year Ordway had modeled for Old Navy, Fabrizio Gianni, David's Bridal, Anchor Blue and Tillys; she had also appeared on the cover Los Angeles Weddings Magazine, Grand Sierra Magazine and Hona Hou Magazine. She appeared on The Price is Right as a fill-in model the week of October 7, 2015.

Acting

Melissa Ordway's first major acting part was the recurring roles of Jordanna on The CW television series Privileged. Ordway's feature film debut was in 17 Again. She has guest starred on such television shows as Entourage and How I Met Your Mother, as well as starring in several independent films including Callers, Tales of an Ancient Empire and I Heart Veronica Martin. In 2010, Ordway appeared in the film The Last Song as Ashley and guest starred on Melrose Place as Morgan McKellan. She starred in the fantasy thriller film Tales of an Ancient Empire. In 2011, she co-starred in Escapee and appeared in Ted directed by Seth MacFarlane.
She was cast in the main role of Chloe Carter on the TeenNick series Hollywood Heights in 2012. In March 2013, Ordway was cast in the role of Abby Newman on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless, replacing previous actress Marcy Rylan. She also appeared in the 2013 supernatural thriller film Odd Thomas as Lysette.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2004The AssistantHerselfContestant
2007EntourageMorganEpisode: "The Young and the Stoned"
2007How I Met Your MotherWoman #1Episode: "Third Wheel"
2008–09PrivilegedJordannaRecurring role, 8 episodes
2009Xtra CreditLindseyTelevision movie
2010Cold CaseDiane Yates '80Episodes: "Bullet", "The Last Drive-In"
2010Melrose PlaceMorgan McKellanEpisodes: "Mulholland", "Santa Fe", "Wilshire"
2010Jenny HarperEpisode: "Out of the Sky"
2011The Chicago CodeTaylorEpisode: "The Gold Coin Kid"
2011Miami MagmaEmily VitriniTelevision movie
2012Hollywood HeightsChloe Carter / Cynthia KowalskiMain role, 80 episodes
2012The LeagueSuttonEpisode: "The Hoodie"
201390210Sydney PriceRecurring role, 6 episodes
2013–presentThe Young and the RestlessAbby NewmanMain role
2013–presentThe Price Is RightHerself/Model