Shyla Stylez (also known as Amanda Auclair) was born on September 23, 1982, in Armstrong, British Columbia, Canada. From a young age, specifically 17, she knew she wanted to pursue a career in adult entertainment. After graduating high school at 18, she moved to Vancouver, where she began working as a stripper and modeling for various adult websites. Driven by her ambition, she actively reached out to adult film studios. This led her to meet Canadian director and performer Erik Everhard, who introduced her to the industry.
She shot her first scene with him under the stage name Shyla Stylez. She soon began working for the gonzo studio Anabolic, quickly making a name for herself in hard-sex scenes, including anal sex, double penetration, and cum swallowing. Initially known simply as Shyla, she later added ‘Stylez’ to her professional name. In 2002, she underwent two breast augmentation surgeries, aiming for perfection in her image. Some time later, a friend introduced her to fellow adult actress Jill Kelly, who offered her a contract with Jill Kelly Productions. While working there, she met and began a relationship with Bob Friedland, the company’s president, marrying him on October 23, 2002, in Los Angeles.
Shyla signed an exclusive contract with Jill Kelly Productions. However, following her divorce from Friedland in 2003, she was forced into a temporary retirement, as her contract prevented her from working for other production companies while still bound to her ex-husband’s studio. Her name also surfaced in a media scandal involving George Jaramillo, the former First Assistant Sheriff of Orange County, California.
She returned to the industry in 2006, after undergoing another breast augmentation, reaching a size 44D. In 2007, she hosted Un-Wired TV, an independent television show in Los Angeles. By 2010, UK’s Maxim magazine included her in its list of the top 12 porn actresses. In her later career, she appeared in films such as Booty Bombs and I am Natasha Nice (2012), sharing the screen with other prominent performers.
On screen, Shyla Stylez gave her absolute all, performing with unparalleled energy and passion. Her presence guaranteed scenes of a superior caliber, and it’s no wonder fans became addicted to her work. She took her profession very seriously; every scene was important to her, leaving us with authentic gems in the form of adult films. She enjoyed hard sex and had no qualms about taking it or moaning like a pleasure addict.
Her significant contributions were posthumously recognized with her induction into the AVN Hall of Fame in 2016. Tragically, Amanda Friedman passed away at the age of 35 on November 9, 2017, in Armstrong, British Columbia, Canada. She died at her mother’s home after reportedly ceasing to breathe. The official cause of death was not publicly disclosed. At the time of her passing, she had already retired from the adult industry.
Links
1st photo by Gary, taken at AVN Expo 2010. License: CC BY.
2nd photo by Luke Ford, Lukeisback.com, taken in 2007. License: CC BY.
3rd photo by Luke Ford, Lukeisback.com, taken in 2007. License: CC BY.
4th photo by flipchip / LasVegasVegas.com, taken at AEE 2009. License: CC BY.
5th photo by Glenn Francis, www.PacificProDigital.com, taken in 2009. License: CC BY.
Last updated: November 21, 2025
