[3] Her first stage role was playing Robin Hood in Clemens Crossing Elementary School in fifth grade.

[4] She went on to Wilde Lake High School, and graduated from Pennsylvania State University[5] in 2004 with a degree in musical theater.

[3][8] In 2016, Hughes made her television debut with a series-regular role in the ABC comedy series American Housewife, playing, alongside Ali Wong, one of the title character's best friends.

Hughes left the series after four seasons, saying in a November 2020 press statement, "I was no longer able to work in the toxic environment that was created on 'American Housewife.'

An investigation by productions company ABC Signature led to "positive changes to the workplace and improvements to the culture", the company said in a statement in response, with series creator Sarah Dunn and line producer Mark J. Greenberg exiting the series.