Summer is a native of San Antonio, Texas. She's been a prima ballerina most of her life. Her debut was in various commercials and a guest appearance on the WB's Angel. She has gone on to star on the TV series Firefly and is now in the movie Serenity.
Summer appeared at the Armageddon Pulp Expo in Auckland, New Zealand in October 2006. Her favorite television show is Brothers & Sisters. She loves to watch cooking shows. She is a fan of the Dallas Cowboys. Auditioned for the role of Kitty Pryde in X-Men: The Last Stand and even asked Joss Whedon (who was writing Marvel's Astonishing X-Men comic book at the time and whose ideas contributed to the plot of X-Men: The Last Stand) for assistance in preparing for the part. Ultimately, the role went to Ellen Page. She had not actually seen the Terminator movies, before being cast in 'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles'.