Check out our interview with LA Actress, Model, and Makeup Artist Ashlie Garrett
Born in Southern California, Ashlie has had a passion for entertaining people since she was little. Growing up, acting was a safe place in which she could cry without judgement and was happiest when she saw characters on TV that she could relate to so she didn’t feel alone. Her desire to keep others from feeling unloved or unseen led her down the acting path. Her talent has led her to roles on such TV shows as Hotel Du Loone with Hayley LeBlanc and the long running hit series Modern Family.
Ashlie had a lead role in the award-winning poetic short film The Color of Red as well as a lead in the comedic award-winning short Becky Jane’s Big Day. A talented young actress with a big heart, Ashlie works hard to protect animals, even using her free time to pick up trash along beaches and rivers to protect wildlife from being harmed by the debris.
Follow Ashlie @ashliegarrett_ or @ashliegarrettofficial
Hi Ashlie, please tell us a little about you?
Hey y’all! My name is Ashlie Garrett and I am an actress, model, and makeup artist from Los Angeles, California.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Selfless, Creative, & Authentic
How did you get started into acting?
When I was younger, i was always the goofy little girl that loved making people laugh. I loved being on stage in pageants and was a natural when it came to public speaking. My parents started putting me in acting classes and I fell in love with the entertainment industry. As I started getting older, I went through a very hard and serious time in my life and acting became this emotional release for me to be able to cry on stage without judgement because people would think it was the character, not me. It helped me express myself in a safe space and ever since then, acting has been one of the only places that I’m truly able to connect to those feelings and just completely let go.
How has this changed your life?
Acting has changed my life by helping to form me into the person I am today. It’s helped me to be able to live freely, have confidence in who I am, and never give up on my dreams. Acting has also been a consistent reminder to live authentically because out of all the different characters I could play or all the different people in the world, there is only one me.
What is the best and worst part of being an actress?
I would say the best part of being an actress is being able to have a platform to affect change in other people’s lives. The worst part of being an actress is the consistent criticism of your career path and dreams.
How do you prepare for a role?
To prepare for a role, I always start by reading as much of the script I can get my hands on, that way I can fully understand the story. After reading the script, I do as much research as I possibly can. I’ll usually journal and write as if I was the character to decide on her backstory, develop an idea of her thought process and mannerisms and who she is in this world. I also try my best to start to live my life like the character would live theirs and that way I can develop a deep connection with this person and show the world who they truly are.
Tell us about your work on “Hotel Du Loone?”
Hotel Du Loone was such a quirky, fun set to be apart of! I played Emily who was a crazed boy-band fan running around the hotel trying to meet them. It was such a fun role to play and I actually got to keep the “Boyz 4 real” band t-shirt that my character wore which was so cute!
And about Modern Family?
Modern Family was such a great experience! I played the role of Manny’s largest rival for a huge baking competition at school. It was my first tv show as a young actress and everyone on the cast and crew was so sweet and friendly. It was definitely one of my favorite sets I’ve been on so far in my career!
How is working on a very successful TV show and the pressure of people comparing one to the other?
Working on a very successful tv show is an amazing opportunity that I feel grateful for being able to experience. Throughout working on larger shows, I’ve been able to learn a lot and it’s given me more motivation to follow my dreams. It does get hard when people compare the size of your role, the network your show is on, or how busy you are in your career but the lesson you have to learn is that as long as you’re happy, it doesn’t matter what other people think. At the end of the day, you’re following your dreams and all that matters is that your happy. everyone will always have an opinion, but it’s up to you if you let it affect your mindset.
What other projects you have been part of?
I’ve been blessed to be the leading girl of a couple beautiful, award-winning short films such as “The Color Red” and “Becky Jane’s Big Day”. I have also starred in the pilot “Maker Shack Agency” and was featured in two episodes of the ABC comedy “Fresh Off the Boat”.
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
I love to play characters that people can relate to. I love roles that have either troubled pasts, have lived through something traumatic and devastating, or are currently struggling against an ongoing battle. I feel like these characters are the most powerful and challenging for an actor and they really expand your limits. Some of my dream roles would be characters in Lovely Bones, Girl Interrupted, Taxi Driver, or Natural Born Killers.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
I would say the most rewarding part of being an actress is being able to create a piece of art that others are able to relate to and give them a safe space to step out of their own reality and into the world of someone else’s.
What’s your advice for the newer actresses?
Don’t be discouraged by rejection, use it as motivation to keep going.
Always follow your dreams.
Take risks and chances! It can seem uncomfortable to step outside of you comfort zone sometimes, but you’ll never know if you never try.
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
Surround yourself with people that support your dreams, encourage you and share common interests.
Always be grateful for any opportunity that comes your way, no matter how big or small
Being in the entertainment industry, you must have both drive and patience. You have to push yourself and work as hard as possible while welcoming daily rejection. It’s not easy sometimes but just remember that everything happens for a reason. Don’t give up!
How would your best friend describe you?
I figured there’s no better way to answer this question than by asking her and giving you her direct response. “Ambitious, hard working, loves unconditionally, and is the one person you can always count on to be there if you need anything at all.”
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
My book title would be called “bloom” because I’m completely obsessed with flowers & I’m constantly in a cycle of growth to become a more beautiful version of myself.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
No matter who you are or what your goals are in life, everyone should read “Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies” by Tara Schuster. The author takes you through her story of how she positively changes every aspect of her life (her career, relationships, goals, etc.) all through different daily rituals and practicing self love. It’s a very empowering read and helps guide you to live your best life!
What’s next for Ashlie Garrett in 2021?
2021 has been and will continue to be a year of growth for me. I’ve learned so many life lessons this year already and my goal is to spend the rest of the year taking the things I’ve been through and using them to transform me into the best version of myself. 2021 will be filled with new experiences, determination, and tons of self love.
What is your favorite healthy food?
My friends actually make fun of me because of how much I love to eat chicken caesar salads. I eat them at least 2 to 3 times a week, i’m obsessed!
And your favorite cheat food?
I have the worst sweet tooth! I’m always craving any type of dessert or sweet treat, but I would say my true kryptonite would be ice cream!
What is your own definition of happiness?
In my opinion, to be happy is to be in a state of pure inner peace. Being happy is a conscious choice completely based off of perspective and having a positive mindset. Sometimes with things going on in the world and in our day to day lives, it can be hard to focus on the good over the bad, but the most important thing to remember is that happiness isn’t perfection and having good times. Being truly content and happy is to be grateful for what is and accepting of what isn’t.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
If I had the opportunity to meet anyone in the world, I would choose Meryl Streep. She is such an inspiration to me and such an icon in the entertainment industry. I’ve always admired her since I was a young girl and hope to one day be side by side with her in a film.
Best advice ever given?
Never waste your time trying to explain who you are to people who are committed to misunderstanding you
Do you support any charity?
Yes I do! I love supporting any charity or rescues that help save animals and rehabilitate them to live normal lives again such as Bunny Bunch Rescue, Best Friends Animal Society, Vanderpump dogs, or any local shelter. If you’re not able to donate, you can still do your part in helping the world become a more clean and safe place to live by volunteering to pick up trash at local beaches and cutting down use of things that are dangerously impactful to the environment. Remember, the smallest changes can still make a huge impact!
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
5 years from now, I see myself happy and at peace. I know that within 5 years, I will have a much deeper understanding of who I am and will be living my best life. With my career, I hope to have established myself and be a successful and working actress. I hope in 5 years to have made positive change or impact on society as well.
Favorite song? Why?
I love music way too much to have just one favorite song, especially since I listen to so many different genres of music. I would say some of my favorite songs would include Ilysb, Cemetery, Feeling Lonely, and Crush culture.
What do you think of Social Media?
I think social media is both amazing and detrimental to society, Being able to use social media in a healthy manor such as using it as a platform to share your stories and journey is such a beautiful thing. However, I believe it can be detrimental when people are using it to harm others or as a false perspective of what normal, every day life looks like. It makes my heart so sad to know that younger generations look at social media and compare themselves to a false reality. That’s why I try to use my platform to show people that perfection isn’t real. We all have bad days, we all get sad some times, we all have different journeys and are different people! I think social media should be used to celebrate being who we truly are and to encourage and support those in our community.
Where we can follow you?
You can follow me on instagram @ashliegarrett_ or @ashliegarrettofficial or on snapchat @babygirlashlie
Book: Buy yourself the f*cking lilies by Tara Schuster
Quote: “You are confined only by the walls you build yourself.”
Movie: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and Hot Rod
Tv Series: Dexter, Schitts Creek, and The Office
Favorite Food: Mashed and Baked potatoes
Travel Destination: Anywhere! I wanna travel all across the globe
Sports Team: LA Kings!
