Garel was born in Kingston, Jamaica and immigrated to Toronto, Canada at an early age.
During her 4 years at York, she performed in the group Coconut Groove (top 40, Latin and world beat music) and played the Toronto nightclub circuit.
It was with Coconut Groove that she was discovered by Richie Mayer and David Bendeth (A&R with BMG Music) and was signed to a record deal as a member of the group Love and Sas.
While on tour with Rent in Vancouver, she got the part of Jasmine, a singer, on the TV series Nightman, and appeared in ten episodes of the final season.
Garel is married to fellow actor Steven Allerick whom she met while playing Nala in The Lion King.