Jana Allen grew up in the mountains of Southwest Virginia. She attended the William Esper Studio in Manhattan while beginning her professional acting career. Her mother, Cherie Davis Allen, was Miss Virginia in 1968, and her father, Ray Allen, is an award winning poet and founder of the non-profit, Appalfolks of America, promoting literacy and drug-free living through performing arts in rural communities of Appalachia. Jana is an honorary board member and spokesperson for Appalfolks. In 2019, she became an official member of The Virginia Opry, Virginia's official state opry. Jana is also a proud Marine Corps spouse.