Willa Joanna Chance Holland was born on June 18, 1991, in Los Angeles, California, to cinematographer Keith Holland and actress Darnell Gregorio-De Palma. She grew up alongside her sisters, Brianna Holland and Piper De Palma.

Her mother's marriage to film director Brian De Palma from 1995 to 1997 added a touch of Hollywood glamour to her early life. She attended Palisades Charter High School briefly before focusing entirely on her burgeoning career.

From a young age, Willa Holland showed a natural talent for the spotlight. At just seven years old, she was discovered by Steven Spielberg while playing at her stepfather's neighbor's house in the Hamptons.

Steven Spielberg encouraged her parents to put her in front of a camera, and soon after, she signed with Ford Modeling Agency and booked her first shoot for Burberry. She went on to model for renowned brands such as Guess, Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Ralph Lauren.

Her acting career took off when she was cast as Kaitlin Cooper in the Fox teen drama "The O.C.". She initially appeared as a recurring character in season three and later became a regular in season four.

Her performance in "The O.C." paved the way for roles in other popular TV shows, including "Gossip Girl" and "Arrow," where she played Thea Queen, also known as Speedy.

Willa Holland has appeared in several films. She starred in the apocalyptic thriller "Legion" and the remake of the 1971 film "Straw Dogs," among others. Her performance in "Legion" earned her a Boston International Film Festival Award for Best Actress.

She was previously in a relationship with British actor Toby Hemingway, and more recently, she has been romantically linked with professional photographer Nate Walton.