Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Jones.
Hi Ashley, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story. Well where do I begin? Well I suppose letting the reader know what it is I do in my business is a good place to start.
I am a full-time working Actress.
My career began as a child at 5 years old in Jacksonville, FL.
But it started even before that. My mom tells me stories of how I would gently guide her to the couch and ask her to be seated. I would then perform songs and dances in front of her as she would encouragingly applaud and shout “encore, encore”. I truly believe it was her belief and encouragement that gave me the wherewithal to embark on a career that would have so many ebbs and flows. So many times of doubt and insecurity. Her faith was sometimes the only thing that held me up when I just wanted to walk away from it all.
My mom entered me into a local talent show, where I performed a monologue from Disney’s classic, “Dumbo”. Even now I feel a nostalgic smile come across my face.
After the talent show my mother was approached by a child Manager named Shirley Cooper. She asked if we would be interested in representation. After sometime, and my mother finding out that she was in fact a legitimate Manager(always do your research in this industry), we signed with her.
About a week later, my mom got a call for my first audition. It was for “Eckards”. For those born after the 90’s “Eckards” was basically what you know as CVS.
I went on the audition, and got a callback(basically a second interview).
I went to the callback and a couple days later found out I Booked the job.
My first audition, my first callback, my first Booking.
From there it was like wild fire. I booked almost everything I went out for. Now I began working on films and network television shows.
At 10 we made the decision as a family to move to Orlando because there was much more work there. So we packed up our little car and headed to the Florida land of dreams.
I joined SAG( the Actors Union) and I continued working.
However, we weren’t in Orlando long when all the film incentives left Florida. So now, as a SAG Actress, there was no work for me. My entire identity was shattered, even though at the time I didn’t know that.
I enjoyed being a pre-teen but I always felt like something was just, off.
When I turned, 13 I ended up finding something that changed me from the inside out. I found alcohol and drugs.
The place inside me that had been missing was finally filled with something that, at the time, I thought was my solution.
What I didn’t know then was this “solution” would later make me its slave.
I partied through high school, completely forgetting my dream as an actress. I thought I was having fun and for a while, I was.
But as my drinking and drugging progressed, tragic things began happening to me. I began waking up in strange places. I couldn’t remember the night or nights before, because I would be in a black out for days on end. I would woke up covered in blood and bruises.
I knew I had to stop, but every time I would try to stop, I’d end up the exact same way, bottle and drugs in hand with days of no recollection.
When I was 20, I had my son. This beautiful boy was my reason. My reason to live. My reason to stop. It took a lot of falling and a more than a few relapses but his face, his beautiful face kept being the reason to get back up and try again.
Finally, after years of trying on my own, I found a 12 step program that worked for me.
I cleared away the wreckage of my past through intensive work on my self and service to others. I clawed my way out of hell and I found the true piece that I always had, but somehow forgot. God. My God filled the whole in my soul that I had been pouring drugs and alcohol in to. I began to experience life in a way I never knew possible. All the trauma, all the pain, all the rejection melted from me as I continued to trust and rely on Him. My Creator. My best friend.
About a year into sobriety I met Kyle, the man who would later become my husband. This man patiently, and consistently loved me till I truly learned to love myself and then was able to completely return that love to him. He stepped into the role as step father to my son and became his primary male figure. A role he did and still does with excellence and so much love.
About 3 years into my sobriety, I was working in Property Management and doing a phenomenal job, receiving all sorts of awards for my work and efficiency. And one day, I heard something deep within my spirit, “Remember the dream I placed within you”. In that moment I remembered it all like it happened yesterday. The talent show, the auditions, the callbacks, the bookings. I remembered the joy I had. I remembered my dream.
I didn’t know where to start, so I reached out my childhood Manager Shirley. She suggested I get some headshots and get into acting class. I did. I was extremely intimated by it all, but I kept putting one foot in front of the other, trusting where God was leading me.
One connection led to another and I had a meeting with a very well respected agent, Susan Fronsoe at 22 Talent. In meeting her I sat down and poured my story on her(just like I am in writing this to you). We cried and laughed and hugged. She said she be honored to represent me. I signed that very day. It was like being 5 again, the doors blew open.
Auditions, callbacks and bookings.
But remember, I still had my career in Property Management. I was getting everyone to cover for me and it came to point where I had booked another job and I couldn’t get anyone to cover me. I told my boss. She gently offered me an ultimatum. I had to choose between my steady, reliable job or my dream.
I went home, sought council from Kyle(who was now my Fiance) and my mother and I prayed.
The next day, I walked into my bosses office and handed her my resignation.
I decided I would rather jump and allow God to show me how to fly, then work tirelessly for someone else’s dream.
I never looked back.
I have been a full-time working Actress ever since.
God has provided at every turn. I have been on multiple television shows, movies and countless(literally I cant even count how many) commercials. And every time, fear or doubt try to creep in, I remember all He has done, I get out of myself and go serve someone else and my faith is renewed once more. Then like magic, another audition, another callback, another job.
I am so fortunate in my career and even more so in my personal life.
This year I will have 12 years of sobriety. Kyle and I have been together almost 11 years and we’re married in 2022 . We have had two beautiful daughters and our now, family of 5 is thriving. Our beautiful boy is 16 now and has just been accepted into one of the best Art Schools in the State. That boy. My boy. The one who helped save my life.
We place God at the center of our lives and in doing that, the fruit we bear is good, lasting and so so sweet.
I encourage anyone who reads this, as long as you follow the plan God has for you, he will always provide. He will bring whatever dream he has placed within you, to completion.
And if you haven’t been told this today,
I love you and I believe in you!
Forever,
Ashley B. Jones
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth? I almost laughed. Not even a little.
There are many days of insecurity and doubt.
I sometimes grapple with moments of anxiety and old thoughts of where I was.
But thankfully, I have a huge support system. God. My husband, mother, sponsor, so many friends and my step program.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I feel like I covered this in my story. But I specialize in Acting and Modeling.
I’m most proud of my walk with God as an actress. I do not compromise my faith or my beliefs for any role.
I speak boldly of my relationship with God in every room and on every job.
I’m most proud of that. Everything I have and everything I’ve done or will do is all because of God
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Hearing my mom wildly applaud and cheer when I would perform for her in her living room.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Ashleybjonesofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C2jbbT4cB/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: TikTok ashleybernicejones
