She was born in the Philippines and later moved to Hawaii, US, where she lived with her cousins. Her cousins' father was in the navy so the family moved frequently until settling in San Diego, California when Jordan was in her teens. She attended San Diego Culinary Art School, where she studied French and Asian cuisine.[4] Jordan is half-Filipino and half-German.

She began her adult career doing nude modeling, and then appeared in lesbian and solo scenes while working for an agency. A few months later, she decided she wanted to move away from lesbian movies, as she found it easier to create good scenes while performing with men. Her first heterosexual scene was for the film company Digital Playground Inc., who later in August 2006 signed her as a contract performer. She had only wanted to continue making heterosexual scenes in the long-term if she could get a contract. Her first scene for the company was with the adult actor Scott Nails in the film Control 4, released in late 2006.

Jordan is an avid cook and has stated she would eventually like to open her own restaurant. She has a Myspace page at myspace.com/shayshayj.