Michelle Karen was born to a Lauri Karen, a Finnish journalist working for Helsingin Sanomat, and Solange Peron, French. She was brought up in Finland, England, France, Switzerland and the United States mainly speaking French. She studied the classical piano and many sports. At the age of 21 she earned her Master's Degree in Philosophy at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. Soon to be followed by a Diploma from the Faculty of Astrological Studies in London. She came late to acting. When she moved to Los Angeles in 1993, her neighbor was Steve Kahan. He introduced her to Dick Donner who inspired her to fulfill a childhood dream. For the next seven years she studied intensely at the Beverly HIlls Playhouse under the prestigious supervision of Jeffrey Tambour, Jocelyn Jones, Allen Williams, Richard Lawson and Gary Imhoff. "Pink #22" was her first role in a film.