With the summer premiere of her hit ABC Family series "Pretty Little Liars" just around the corner, Shay Mitchell graced the cover of ELLE Canada's July 2013 issue.

While rocking a few gorgeous poses for the Colette De Barros-shot spread, the 26-year-old actress opened up about fitting in with her other friends and becoming an inspirational actress.

Check out GossipCenter's recap of Miss Mitchell's interview below. For more, be sure to visit ELLE Canada!

On standing out from the rest of her peers:
"When I was in high school, I was so uncomfortable with myself. All my friends were blonde and blue-eyed. My mom is Filipino - but my friends' nannies were Filipino."

On being a role model to her fans:
"Even on social media, I like to post uplifting quotes because what else would I be doing? Just taking pictures of myself? Although I do that too. There's always that fine line: Am I putting myself out there too much? Am I living my life through my phone?"

On her work with the Somaly Mam Foundation:
"Sexual exploitation was everywhere, and it really had an impact on me. When I came back from working with the girls, it was hard for me to talk to people. To be honest with you, my biggest dream is not to win an Oscar. For me, it's to open up a Somaly Mam center in the Phillippines in the next few years."