Sydnee Steele, born Amy Jaynes on September 23, 1968, in Dallas, Texas, to a college professor father of Greek descent, was a shy child who later worked as a financial officer and jewelry saleswoman. In the early 1990s, she married director Michael Raven and entered the adult industry in 1997 with her debut in The Queen's Challenge. Freelancing for Elegant Angel and Vivid, she signed with Wicked Pictures in 2001, winning AVN Best Actress for Euphoria (2002), Best Supporting Actress for Breathless (2003), and induction into the AVN Hall of Fame (2007).
Retiring in 2005 after Pillow Talk to pursue a relationship outside the industry, she became a certified sex coach and Pranic practitioner under Dr. Patti Britton. She co-authored Seducing Your Woman (2006), wrote 'The Steele Factor' for AVN, advocated for free speech, and appeared in shows like Tim and Eric Awesome Show and Cougar School.