Ashley Park is an American actress, singer, and dancer. She’s best known for her appearances in Emily in Paris (2020–) series and Mean Girls: The Musical.
Other notable roles she’s taken are the Broadway version of The King and I (2015) and Joy Ride (2023).
Contents
Career
Ashley Park’s acting career journey initially was catalyzed by her roles in many theatre stage productions, which started in 2009 for Miss Saigon, a production by Music Theatre Wichita.
In 2011, this Gemini actress then made another appearance for a theatre, Jesus Christ Superstar, as Herod’s Girl.
Her debut in the movie industry began in 2012 when she became a cameo for Charlene Kaye: Human and portrayed the role of Jessica on The V Card.
After that, Ashley then acted again in the 2014 movie, Are You Joking? as Date.
One year later, in 2015, she began her theatre production process for The King and I as Luisa, which later rewarded her with a nomination for the 2016 Grammy Awards.
She came back to TV in 2017 by becoming Olivia Cho for the series Night Cap.
Her popularity rose to stardom after she joined the hit Netflix series, Emily in Paris (2020), as Mindy Chen.
And finally, in 2021, she appeared again in Girls5eva, a series which was aired on Peacock.
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Profile
- Real Name: Ashley Jini Park
- Stage Name: Ashley Park
- Nickname: Ashley
- Birthday: June 6, 1991
- Birthplace: Glendale, California, United States
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- Nationality: Korean-American
- Religion: –
- Profession: Actress, Dancer, Singer
- Education: Pioneer High School, University of Michigan
- Hobbies: Singing, acting
- Facebook: –
- Twitter: @ashleyparklady
- Instagram: @ashleyparklady
- TikTok: –
- YouTube: –
Height, Weight, & Physical Appearance
- Height: 165 cm (5’5″)
- Weight: 55 Kg (121 lbs)
- Blood Type: –
- Hair Color: Dark brown
- Eye Color: Dark brown
- Body Measurements: 33-25-34 (Bust -33, Waist -25, and Hips -34 inches)
- Shoe Size: 7 (US)
- Dress Size: 4 (US)
Family
- Father: Andrew Park
- Mother: Sara Park
- Brother: –
- Sister: Audrey Park
Boyfriend & Dating History
Conrad Ricamora
She’s linked romantically to Conrad, her co-star in The King & I that acted as her on-screen love interest, in around 2015.
While they were rumored to date due to their exceptional chemistry, the speculations went even further as the pair were seen together enjoying times in Montauk and Disneyland on separate occassions.
However, none of them has ever confirmed if they were really got together. In a 2016 interview, he refered to her as his “closest confidant and friend.”
Zach Adkins
In late 2018, Ashley Park was rumored to date Zach, an Ohio-born singer-songwriter, after they were seen attending multiple of public events together.
She even tweeted about his project once, citing that she feels “so proud” of Zach.
That being said, both were seen together for the last time in December that year at The Cher Show opening night without ever have addressed their rumors. The pair also have unfollowed one another on social media.
Benjamin Tyler Cook
She’s speculated to be in a romance with Benjamin, her co-star in Mean Girls: The Musical, in 2019.
Even though the filming process took place in 2017, it wasn’t until two years later that fans noticed they were growing close.
The couple did attend red carpet events together multiple times, even though they have never acknowledged any rumor spreading about themselves.
However, they were last seen together in 2019 Tony Awards red carpet, so it’s safe to assume whatever things they had have fizzled out.
Lucas Bravo
The rumors that she’s linked romantically to Lucas, her co-star in Emily in Paris, spread by a Reddit thread that suggested their closeness in around December 2022.
However, there’s a good chance that it’s only speculation. Lucas has revealed his stance a couple years before in an interview about how once he steps on set, “it’s a workplace, and I want to keep it professional.”
Net Worth
Multiple sources online estimated her net worth to sit around $2 million. She most likely earns her income mostly from acting.
Charity
Ashley Park participated in the 28th annual Broadway Bares, that aims to collect donation for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BCEFA) in 2018. She raised almost $3,000 personally.
She and other Mean Girls casts, joined Covenant House’s Stage & Screen Sleep Out and raised more than $14,000 in 2018. The fund is aimed to provide food, shelter, and crisis care for runaway youth and homeless.
Facts
- Ashley Park grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
- She has Korean descent.
- Ashley Park is a cousin of Justin H. Min, an actor.
- When she was three years old, she once joined Oceanside Dance Academy.
- She began her piano lessons when she was 5 years old.
- She already loves to perform since she was just a child.
- Ashley once joined Interlochen Summer Arts Camp in 2003.
- During high school, Ashley was a part of theatre and choir.
- She once built a women’s acapella group at high school.
- Ashley was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia when she was 15 years old.
- Because of that disease, she was hospitalized for 8 months.
- She said that her cancer experience was the reason she does theatre.
- Ashley once built the Michigan Performance Outreach Workshop (MPOW).
- Her ideal type is…
- Her net worth is around $2 million.
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Movies
- Low Low (2019), as Cee Cee
- Are You Joking? (2014), as Date
- The V Card (2012), as Jessica
- Charlene Kaye: Human (2012), as statue
TV Series
- Girls5eva (Peacock | 2021), as Ashley
- Emily in Paris (Netflix | 2020-present), as Mindy Chen
- Tales of the City (Netflix | 2019), as Jennifer ‘Ani’ Winter
- Nightcap (2017), as Olivia Cho
- My Dirty Little Secret (2014), as Ann Racz
TV Shows
- Saturday Night Live (NBC | 2018), as guest
Theatres
- Ratatouille the Musical (2021), as Colette Tatou
- Lady in the Dark (2019), as Miss Foster/Sutton
- Mean Girls (2018), as Gretchen Wieners
- KPOP (2017), as MwE
- Sunday in the Park with George (2017), as Celeste #1/Theresa
- The Fantasticks (2016), as Luisa
- The King and I (2015-2016), as Tuptim
- Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella (2014), as Gabriella
- Jesus Christ Superstar (2011), as Herod’s Girl
- Miss Saigon (2009-2010), as Yvonne
Awards
- Lucille Lortel Awards 2018 – Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical – KPOP
Nominations
- MTV Movie & TV Awards 2021 – Best Breakthrough Performance – Emily in Paris
- Critics’ Choice Television Awards 2021 – Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Emily in Paris
- Tony Awards 2018 – Best Featured Actress in a Musical – Mean Girls
- Drama Desk Awards 2018 – Outstanding Actress in a Musical – KPOP
- Grammy Awards 2016 – Best Musical Theater Album – The King and I
Quotes
“I’ve learned a lot from [Mindy from Emily in Paris]. She’s got a great ability to be a safe, non-judgemental person, but is also honest and not afraid to call out what she needs. She doesn’t hold back anything.”
“The fashion world isn’t one I grew up in, but I love it now. I’ve learned that it’s about way more than vanity. You can use it as a tool to express how you’re feeling that day. When you wake up, you can say ‘What version of myself do I want to broadcast today?’ There’s a certain bravery in showing your personality in that way.”
“If I am being candid, there was a time when I thought I had done my job if people walked away from a scene forgetting that I’m Asian. But, then I realized, people can acknowledge that I am Asian and still connect with the character.”
“With Mindy, I am proud that people get to see this really great character on this very popular show who is Asian — that’s not something I got to see growing up. And for that to be more familiar is important.”
“Once cancer physically left my body, I made it my mission to not let it affect my life. I didn’t want it to define me. People were so worried about me, and I became the person that was like, ‘I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. I am going to go after what I want and just do it.’”
“When you’re performing so much, you realize that your body is your vessel — it’s your instrument. So, you have to treat it as such and really take care of it.”
“I have to move every day. That can be hard with my filming schedule, so I’ve learned that to stay motivated, I have to adjust what type of physical activity can fit into my life at any given moment.”
“I’ve done everything — I had a big yoga phase, a big cycling phase, a big running phase. And I’ve always loved dancing.”
“I sweat a ton and feel much stronger when I am done with [my workout]. There’s a real mind-body connection that happens with [Pilates].”
“I am highly anemic because of what I went through with my cancer,” she divulges “So, I do like a nice steak every once in a while.”
“When I’m in America, [dairy and gluten] don’t sit that well with me. But, for some reason, when I am in Europe, I can eat an entire bread basket and so much cheese, and it’s fine.”
“I find that I am my happiest, most-fulfilled self when I’m surrounded by good people.”
“What you see on screen between Mindy and Emily is very reflective of Lily and I meeting each other as grown women and being like, ‘Oh my God, it was like part of my soul was missing, and now I’ve found it.’”
“I’m such a people pleaser and always want to make sure other people are okay. But as my life gets crazier and crazier, I’m understanding the value of my time and space. I’ve been trying to set more boundaries to make sure I’m making my well-being a priority.”
“I am so grateful for every opportunity. Taking care of myself so I can fully enjoy every minute of this life is very important to me.”
“Ever since I was a baby, I loved being around and interacting with people. My parents definitely had a highly energetic daughter to raise. I loved making people laugh and dressing up and putting on shows or reenacting movies with my younger sister.”
“I was a real sponge as a kid and wanted to constantly try new activities and hobbies. I was hungry to learn, always curious, and had an adventurous spirit.”
“The concept of a ‘big break’ always makes me feel uneasy, because it feels to me like it diminishes the process in the journey of one’s career. And it also implies that the work beforehand and leading up to a big break isn’t deemed as impactful or important. I think that any aspect of my work that has been considered a big break, I’ve had to earn with a lot of steps and hard work to get there.”
“The work of an actress is also rejection, even daily. I’d rather spend my energy on finding joy and growth and determination in any failure or rejection. Each time it gets easier.”
“Instead of getting down about rejection, I like to push forward and focus on resilience. Also, I found that if I was genuinely celebrating and practicing acceptance [for] other people’s successes – rather than my own rejections – then I was in a constant state of celebrating.”
“I’ve realized how important it is for me to center in myself, establish boundaries, and understand how to not spread myself too thin. As a people-pleaser and somebody who likes to say yes to everything and make everyone happy, I’ve really had to recalibrate a bit recently.”
“To fly across the world and have people come up to me and say how much they connected to Mindy and her music, was so meaningful to me.”
“I am the person who would be there if they called and needed help, and the person who would be hosting a party. I like to make sure everyone is doing okay. I would also laugh at anything.”
“There is nothing like creating something with others together. I have all these people and families from different chapters in my life. It is sometimes hard because having them in so many different places makes me feel disjointed, but once you become more centered into yourself, it becomes more joyful than something that makes you feel lonely.”
Ashley Park is such an inspiring woman. She is a hard-worker actress and never tired to spread kindness into the world. Salute!