[4][5] In 1991, when Bishil was three years old, the family moved to Saudi Arabia and then to Bahrain,[5][3][6] where she and her brother attended British and American schools.
Slate critic Dana Stevens said, "Her performance is the truest thing in a movie that, for all its good intentions, feels thoroughly phony and mildly embarrassing, like an extended PSA about inappropriate touching.
"[8] Bob Strauss, who writes for several Los Angeles newspapers, states that Bishil, "...is one of the finest natural film actresses to emerge in years.
"[9] Gary Goldstein in a September 12 Los Angeles Times review of the movie Towelhead, stated that, "...newcomer Summer Bishil turns in a gutsy, quietly riveting performance as Jasira.
"[10] In 2009, she filmed Wayne Kramer's project, Crossing Over, starring Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta and Ashley Judd,[11] a portrayal that received some favorable notice from Associated Press's Jay Reiner.