Born the only child to Janine James, one time actress, and Desmond Alexander, film producer and studio executive, Petra was raised namely by a nanny, often being shuffled between film sets and offices. She wasn't born with a silver spoon, she was gifted a platinum one. But Petra wasn't exempt from the rich girl trope of having everything she wanted but her parent's attention and approval. That desire was the main drive into acting, she'd use the platform to catch their eye and if she couldn't, at least she'd have the attention of everyone else to make up for it.

Though her goal was always to be known worldwide, even to Petra her rise to fame was astonishing. Though she'd been working for years it seemed like people learned her name almost overnight. In a whirlwind she was nominated for an oscar and stepping into lead roles in not one but two huge franchises. The Hunger Games took off, she met David O. Russell, and before she knew it she was an Academy Award Winner. Life hasn't slowed down since, which is exactly how Petra likes it.

Her parents stayed together far longer than they should have for many reasons, mostly out of spite for each each other and because neither wanted to deal with the fallout of having no prenuptual agreement but certainly not out of concern for Petra's well-being if the family parted ways. In fact, when the dust finally did settle on the divorce, Desmond moved immediately to a vacation home he had won in the settlement, putting as much space between them as possible. He's now settled in New York, and when she chooses to, Petra splits her time between visiting her parents on separate coasts.

Petra's father comes to premieres and events when he's asked but otherwise does his honest best to keep out of Petra's professional life. And it isn't often that he's extended invitations, mostly because her mother lunges for every chance she can get to step out with her famous daughter and slip back into the limelight. No one is more thrilled with Petra's fame than Janine is.