The Ultimate Betrayal: Aria's Shocking Secrets Revealed in Pretty Little Liars

In the Pretty Little Liars fandom, Aria Montgomery emerged as a primary suspect for the true identity of A, given the persistent clues suggesting her involvement. The show revolved around Aria, Emily, Hannah, and Spencer as they embarked on a mission to uncover the stalker and tormentor known as A. Throughout the series, various individuals assumed the role of A, with fans avidly discussing on social media why they believed Aria to be A. However, despite the potential opportunities, she never assumed that particular role.

Even years after the show's finale, discussions on platforms like YouTube and Reddit continue to revolve around the possibility of Aria being intended as A by the showrunner I. Marlene King and the writers. Supporters of this theory argue that Aria would have been a more compelling choice compared to the characters who ultimately took on the role of A. They draw on the numerous clues scattered throughout the series that strongly hinted at this conclusion.

10 Aria Possesses Multiple Phones In Pretty Little Liars

In Pretty Little Liars, Aria frequently changes cell phones. In the first season alone, she switches between three different phone models without any explanation. This leaves viewers to speculate why she has multiple phones. The attention is once again drawn to her multiple phones in season 2, episode 20, "CTRL-A," when Aria cancels dinner with Ezra. Instead of receiving the message from Aria's phone, Ezra receives it from an unknown caller. This detail is significant because A, the mysterious antagonist, also texts from an unknown number. It's worth noting that Aria's cancellation of the date derails A's plan to expose her relationship with Ezra. This encounter feels too coincidental to be purely by chance.

9 Aria Seems to Lie About Basic Life Details

8 The A In Aria Looks Like A’s Signature On The Halloween Train

Aria consistently deceives others about various aspects of her personal life throughout the duration of the Pretty Little Liars series. While all of the girls engage in deception at different points, Aria specifically tends to fabricate insignificant and trivial details. For instance, during the initial encounter between Aria and Ezra in the pilot episode, she deliberately withholds her true age. Furthermore, when she encounters Maggie, Aria proceeds to deceitfully conceal both her real name and age. Another example of Aria's deceitfulness can be observed in the series' first episode, where she initially orders a cheeseburger but then inconsistently switches between identifying as a vegetarian or vegan whenever it suits her convenience. These instances of Aria consistently lying about fundamental aspects of her life not only contribute to the potential presence of continuity errors within Pretty Little Liars but also intensify suspicion towards her character.

During Pretty Little Liars season 3, episode 13, "This Is A Dark Ride," Aria has a chance encounter with Adam Lambert on the Halloween Train. Despite her attempts to introduce herself, the noise from a passing train drowns out her voice. A creative solution strikes her as she decides to inscribe her name on the foggy window. However, what initially appears to be an ordinary gesture takes a chilling turn when Aria forms the second "A" in her name. This particular letter bears a striking resemblance to A's distinct signature. The middle line of the "A" is slightly diagonal, deviating from its usual flat structure, and it crosses over the two sides with one side appearing longer. This uncanny similarity immediately arouses the suspicions of numerous viewers.

7 Mona’s Cryptic Message Called Aria A Killer

When Mona is at Radley Sanatorium, Hanna and Aria break in to speak with her without supervision in order to gather information on their tormentor. Mona uses a secret code that she and Hanna had developed during their friendship. She utters the phrase, "Miss Aria, you're a killer, not Ezra's wife." Through the code, this message translates to "Maya knew." Initially, the words raise suspicion, but Hanna manages to decipher the sentence.

Regrettably, Pretty Little Liars fails to elaborate on what Maya knew. Maya was neither killed nor associated with any incarnation of A. Following Maya's demise, it raises the question whether the phrase was meant to be taken literally rather than as a code. Theoretically, if Aria had been A, Mona would have learned this when A visited her at Radley in the concluding episode of Pretty Little Liars season 2, and she could have been attempting to clue in Hanna. However, this notion proves false as Aria was not A, leaving the enigma surrounding the code unanswered.

6 Aria Wore A Version Of The Black Swan Costume

5 Aria’s Mom Tells Her She Can’t Play With People Like Dolls

Throughout the series, A exhibits a fixation on dolls, using them as representations of the Liars on multiple occasions. In episode 10 of Pretty Little Liars season 1, titled "Keep Your Friends Close," Ella advises Aria, "You can't just treat people like dolls, playing with them and then putting them away when you're done." This memorable quote resurfaces when A is later shown interacting with more dolls in subsequent seasons. If Aria was indeed intended to be A, this conversation would have served as a clever foreshadowing.

4 A Puts Knives In Jake’s Punching Bag When He Talks Bad About Ezra

Oftentimes, the Liars face the wrath of A through the torment of their loved ones. However, the dynamics shift in "Pretty Little Liars" season 4, episode 16, "Close Encounters," as A decides to target Jake by placing knives in his cherished punching bag. At this juncture in the narrative, Aria and Jake have broken up, with their communication severed after Jake reveals Ezra's explosive rage in the heart of Rosewood. The knives appear within Jake's punching bag by the conclusion of that very episode. Considering the timing of this assault on Jake, it becomes apparent that A possesses a vested interest in safeguarding Ezra.

3 Aria Burned Ezra’s Book In Pretty Little Liars

Upon discovering Ezra's book, Aria eagerly expresses her desire to delve into every page, curious to know what he may have placed above her in terms of importance. Later, she divulges to the rest of the Liars that Ezra believes he has identified both A and Ali's killer, implying her thorough perusal of the manuscript. However, instead of sharing this valuable information, Aria chooses to incinerate the book in the twenty-first episode of Pretty Little Liars season 4, titled "She's Come Undone." This suspicious act raises suspicions among many, as it suggests her intention to conceal any incriminating evidence brought to light by Ezra. In the end, this conduct fuels the belief that if Aria were truly A, she would be eager to eliminate any traces that could potentially expose her true identity.

2 Aria's Doll Is Dressed Like A in Mona's Lair

When Spencer and Mona enter A's lair, they meticulously examine the various items scattered throughout the room. As they survey their surroundings, Spencer's sharp eye catches sight of a captivating dollhouse adorned with miniature versions of each of the liars. Each doll perfectly mirrors its respective character, embodying their unique style and fashion choices, except for the one representing Aria. Instead of showcasing her usual distinctive and eclectic wardrobe, Aria's doll dons a sinister ensemble consisting of a black zip-up hoodie and dark pants, mirroring the signature attire of A. The only element missing from the doll's portrayal is a pair of black, leather gloves, which could further confirm Aria's potential involvement as A's accomplice. The plausible scenario unfolds, as it becomes conceivable that Aria seamlessly collaborated with the initial A, only to assume control in their absence.

1 Aria & A Are Both Left-Handed

In the first season of Pretty Little Liars, I. Marlene King and the writers were still in the process of devising long-term storylines. Therefore, numerous details underwent alterations as they entered the second season. One particular change was that A started favoring their left hand instead of their right. This alteration remained relatively consistent throughout the rest of the series until another member of the A-Team was captured on camera wearing the iconic hoodie. Many viewers viewed this transition as a potential clue to uncovering A's true identity.

Several characters in Pretty Little Liars demonstrate left-handed dominance, such as Alison DiLaurentis, Paige McCullers, Cece Drake, Jason DiLaurentis, Wren Kingston, and Aria Montgomery. Additionally, Mona exhibits ambidexterity, often utilizing both hands in a dominant manner at different occasions. Interestingly, this particular trait subtly indicated A's identity, yet it was mistakenly attributed to Aria, mainly due to the presence of other misleading clues.