I was born on January 9, 1993, in a small town in Southern California. I have one older brother. His name is Keveen, and he is the best brother in the entire world. I have a dog, named Annie. She’s a poodle that I adopted from the local shelter for my thirteenth birthday. I have always loved school. I was “that girl” who never missed a class and chose to stay inside, helping out in the other classrooms, instead of going out to recess. My parents always tell me that I was a quiet kid. I started singing when I was two years old. Apparently, I sang “Jingle Bells” nonstop… Even when it wasn’t Christmas. The first real song I ever sang was “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey and Boys II Men. I loved singing so much that my mom put me into voice lessons when I was four. I did a ton of local singing competitions and events. When I was ten years old, I was lucky enough to be on “Star Search” (watch the video below), and later that year, I got to compete in Amateur Night at the Apollo. That was such a dream come true: I got to perform on the legendary Apollo stage in New York City 5 times; four times to compete, and once to perform on their TV show as one of their “Stars of Tomorrow”.
After my amazing experience with the Apollo, another one of my dreams came true: I got to go on tour for about a year with the Broadway production of Disney’s “The Lion King” as Young Nala. I had an amazing time on tour, performing every night and meeting people that taught me lessons that I carry with me to this day. After the tour, I got to play Josefina, Kaya, and Samantha in the “American Girls Revue” in Los Angeles.
And right around the time I finished that… I got a call to audition for a show called “Mad Fashion”, or as you guys know it, “True Jackson, VP“.
I always call it the “miracle job”, since it was supposed to be my last audition ever. I had been in show business since I was five years old, and my mom was so tired of seeing me disappointed when I didn’t land roles that meant a lot to me. So on the morning of my audition for True Jackson, she walked into my room and told me that it would be my last audition ever and that she was pulling me out of show business for good. I remember literally sobbing uncontrollably and walking into the audition with red, puffy eyes. I barely remember what happened in the audition. I just know that I walked out thinking ‘There’s no way they’re gonna pick me.’ But a week later, the casting office called and said that I had gotten a callback. I was shocked, but so excited. After that came another callback, and another one, and finally, the last callback, where I met the cast who became my second family. I can’t put into words how much I loved working on True Jackson. There was never a time when I wasn’t smiling on that set (which is probably why they nicknamed me Smiley). Saying goodbye to that show was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. But I know that even though the show is over, the memories and friends that I made will never go away. True Jackson will always be my family; my second home.
A few months after finishing True Jackson, I auditioned for another Nickelodeon show called “Bucket and Skinner‘s Epic Adventures”. After a few callbacks, I found out that I got the show and started freaking out in the parking lot of the restaurant that my mom and I were leaving. They told me that I would meet the cast the next day and start doing some improvisation workshops with them. I was slightly nervous to meet the cast; since everyone got along so well in True Jackson, I wasn’t sure if I would fit in with these new kids, especially because they had all known each other for a couple of years prior to my arrival. But I found out the next day that I really had nothing to worry about. They were so welcoming from the very beginning, and we’ve been great friends ever since. It’s a very different set than I’m used to. For example, I’m the only teenage girl now, but I guess in a way, it’s made me a little tougher, since I have to be able to fight back when the boys pick on me (out of love, no worries!). I get to sing and dance a little more on this show, and I’ve even learned how to do some of my own stunts! Working on Bucket and Skinner has been a blast, and I hope to work with them for many, many years to come.
After we wrapped the first season of Bucket & Skinner, I started my first semester at New York University. It had been my dream school since I was ten years old. I was accepted in 2010, but had to defer because we were shooting True Jackson, so I was thrilled that I had time in between shooting to go this year! I am in the College of Nursing, which is a shock to a lot of people. I wanted to have a backup career, since show business is so unpredictable. You never know what could happen! But no worries; acting and singing will always be my first choice. While I’ve been in New York, I started recording my own music with Chuck Harmony and his team. I can’t wait for you all to hear what we’ve been doing in the studio. 
So that’s my life in a nutshell, so far. My life has been a ridiculous roller coaster ride. It has been anything but perfect. Nothing has come easily for me. But I’ve learned a lot, and I will continue to work hard towards my goals and dreams. I can’t wait to see what the future holds. I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes ever, that pretty much sums up what I believe:
“Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get.
But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.”
-Conan O’Brien
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Awww, love your website Ashley! Its so cute like you <3 You're so inspiring & pretty… LOVE YOU ALWAYS!
@kristinab21
xoxo
OMG! AHSLEY UR THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PERSON IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is so exciting Ashley! I’m so happy for you
I love U, you’re so amazing, beatifull and good actrees!:D
She’s truly a beauty!
I really love the outfit you’re wearing even if it’s past Valentine’s day or any time of the year. You’re truly the best and most beautiful in the world.
I can never say enough how I’m proud of you.