Janae Palmer was born and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, to Janet Palmer, a school teacher, and James Palmer, CEO and founder of a family owned contracting business. Her heritage is of Italian decent. Palmer was home schooled by her mother from early childhood education to twelfth grade. During her last two years of high-school, she was enrolled as a part-time student at her local college. Being home schooled enabled Palmer to begin her acting education at the age of thirteen at an organization called HST. She studied acting techniques, dance, and voice with HST and performed two main stage shows per year from the age of thirteen to eighteen.

Palmer continued her education at Messiah College where she received two Bachelor of Arts degrees (Theatre & Dance). During her junior year of college, Palmer studied abroad at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, Ireland. She studied acting, scene study, movement, and voice under the instruction of Patrick Sutton and several guest teachers. During Palmer's senior year of college, she produced, directed, choreographed, danced, and acted in her senior showcase titled "If It Were You". During Palmer's junior year of college, she discovered her love for acting on screen. She auditioned and was cast in six short films from the Film and Media Arts department at Messiah College. After building connections and gaining experience, Palmer decided she wanted to make her life long career as a film actress.

Shortly after graduation, Palmer was cast in her first role on an episode of Gone (2017) for the Investigation Discovery Channel. After recognition and favor, Palmer soon began getting cast as lead roles for the Investigation Discovery Channel, the Reelz Channel, and the Travel Channel. After building a favorable background and reputation, Palmer started acting in local and nation-wide commercials as well. Her success in the TV industry soon brought on bigger roles on feature films. She landed a lead role in The Fallen (2019), filmed in D.C by The Make-A-Wish Foundation for a wish kid. Not long after, Palmer was cast in The Special (2020), a feature horror film directed by B. Harrison Smith

Palmer's most recent work was for Lionsgate's film Where the Scary Things Are (2022) directed by B. Harrison Smith. She is also proud of being hired as the Stand In and Photodouble for Natalie Portman on Lady in the Lake (2024) directed by Alma Har'el.