The internet has a funny way of making you feel like you've watched a kid grow up, even if you’ve never met them. That’s definitely the case with Fiona Facinelli. If you’ve spent any time on Instagram in the last year, you’ve probably seen those sun-drenched photos of Jennie Garth and Peter Facinelli’s youngest daughter. People are obsessed with how much she looks like a 1990s Kelly Taylor. But lately, the conversation has shifted. It’s no longer just about the red carpets or the "mini-me" headlines. Everyone wants to know where Fiona Facinelli college life is actually happening.
Honestly, the transition from "celebrity kid" to "college freshman" is a weird one to watch from the outside. You’ve got the paparazzi shots, the emotional IG captions from famous parents, and then the reality of a girl just trying to fit a mini-fridge into a tiny dorm room.
The Big Move: Where Did Fiona Facinelli Go?
There was a lot of speculation for a while. Her sisters, Luca Bella and Lola Ray, both headed east for their studies. Luca graduated from The New School in New York City back in 2023, and Lola followed the NYC trend by attending NYU. Naturally, people assumed Fiona would pack her bags for Manhattan too.
She didn't.
In August 2025, Jennie Garth confirmed the news through a series of "move-in day" videos that went viral for being incredibly relatable. Fiona Facinelli decided to stay a bit closer to her West Coast roots. She is currently attending Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in Los Angeles.
It’s a gorgeous campus. If you’ve ever driven past the bluffs in Westchester, you know the vibe. It’s private, it’s Jesuit, and it has a massive reputation for its film and television programs. This makes a ton of sense given her family background. While some fans were convinced she’d be an NYU girl, LMU offers that perfect balance of high-tier academics and being close enough to her support system in L.A.
Breaking Down the High School to LMU Pipeline
Fiona didn't just stumble into a top-tier university. She put in the work at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks. That school is basically a legendary hub for celebrity kids in the Valley, but it’s also academically rigorous.
When she graduated in June 2025, the photos were everywhere. You had Peter Facinelli and Jennie Garth—amicable exes goals, truly—celebrating their youngest "birdie" leaving the nest. The graduation wasn't just a ceremony; it was the end of an era for the Garth-Facinelli household.
Why LMU instead of New York?
You have to wonder why she broke the family tradition of heading to New York.
- The Program: LMU’s School of Film and Television is consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally. If she wants to follow her father’s footsteps into directing or her mother’s into production, there’s no better place.
- The Lifestyle: Let's be real. L.A. weather beats a New York winter every single time.
- Family: With her older sisters having already done the "big city" thing, maybe Fiona wanted to carve out her own space without being in their immediate shadows.
It’s actually refreshing. Seeing a young woman choose the path that fits her rather than just doing what her sisters did.
Navigating Life in the Public Eye
The Fiona Facinelli college experience isn't exactly like yours or mine. Most freshmen don't have People Magazine writing about their dorm decor. (For the record, Jennie Garth helped her deck it out, and it looked way better than the milk-crate-and-poster situation I had).
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But despite the fame, Fiona seems surprisingly grounded. In interviews, she’s admitted she hasn't even finished watching her mom’s most famous show, Beverly Hills, 90210. She told reporters she’s seen the first season and likes the scene where her mom is in the convertible, but she isn't obsessed with the Hollywood legacy. She’s just a student.
That "normalcy" is probably her biggest asset. At LMU, she’s surrounded by other high achievers, many of whom also come from high-profile families. It’s a bit of a "safe zone" for kids who want to be known for their own work rather than their last name.
What’s Next for the Youngest Facinelli?
She’s currently 19, having celebrated that milestone birthday in September 2025. Her mom’s tribute to her was pretty touching, mentioning that this is her last year as a teenager.
While we don't know her exact major—celebs tend to keep that a little private for safety reasons—she’s clearly leaning into the creative arts. She’s been spotted at various industry events, like the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball, but her focus seems to be squarely on her studies for now.
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Actionable Takeaways for Following Her Journey
If you're looking to keep up with her career or are a student looking at LMU yourself, here’s the reality:
- Don't Believe Every Rumor: Just because her sisters went to NYU doesn't mean she did. Always check verified graduation posts.
- Focus on the Craft: Fiona has expressed interest in fashion and media, much like her sister Lola. Keep an eye on student film credits at LMU; that's often where these "nepo kids" (I hate that term, but you get it) actually prove their talent.
- Respect the Boundary: She’s a college student first. Most of the "news" about her comes from her parents' social media because she keeps her own life relatively low-key compared to other Gen Z influencers.
The takeaway here is simple. Fiona Facinelli is doing college on her own terms. She chose a top-tier L.A. school, stayed close to home, and is prioritizing her education over immediate fame. In an era where everyone is trying to be an influencer at 16, that’s a pretty smart move.
Moving forward, expect to see her popping up more in the creative side of the industry. Whether she stays behind the camera or moves in front of it, the foundation she's building at Loyola Marymount is going to be the thing that actually sustains a long-term career. Keep an eye on the 2029 graduation lists—that’s when we’ll likely see the "baby" of the family officially take on the industry for real.