Shiohama graduated from the University of Southern California in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in communications and a minor in business administration. Prior to Pursuing modeling and acting full-time, Shiohama had aspirations for a career in business. However, on the advice of a family friend, Shiohama decided to take a leap of faith and move to Los Angeles in hopes of pursuing her dream career in the entertainment industry. In 2006, Shiohama made her feature film debut in Little Miss Sunshine, which won a SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Award for Best Ensemble Cast.