The ghost began haunting Ashley Park at around five in the morning. She was excited to finally get some sleep in her Manhattan hotel room after a much-delayed journey from Los Angeles. Sadly, the world of the paranormal had other ideas.
The actor bolted upright in bed as the door abruptly swung open on its own. “I don’t even think this stuff is real!” Later that day, when we get together for fettuccine, fries, and espresso martinis—the “comfort food” she requires—Ashley Park chuckles. There was something, I promise. I was terrified to my core.
That’s noteworthy because you would think it would take a lot to frighten Ashley at this point. She made it through theatre school as a young adult and leukaemia as a teenager. As Gretchen in Mean Girls, she charmed Broadway’s notoriously finicky crowds and received a Tony Award nomination in the process. She’s been through auditions when the only comments received were, “No, you’re Asian,” yet she’s managed to hold her own on screen with Sherry Cola (Joy Ride), Ali Wong (Beef), and Meryl Streep and Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building). She also spent more than a month in the hospital this past January due to septic shock. Instead of dying as the doctors had predicted, she got out of bed and recorded Emily in Paris’s fourth season, which will premiere on August 15 on Netflix, where it is still among the most watched series ever on the service).
Ashley Park has maintained a constant “happy but chill” demeanour in public throughout it all. Her radiant grin, glossy hair, and carefree yet put-together look (black Nina Ricci ruffles and pink Balmain tweeds combined with everygirl athleisure) are the visual equivalent of a statement saying, “Trust me, I’m fine.” On anyone else, this atmosphere would come off annoyingly false. Ashley Park claims that because it is based on her early experience with cancer, it feels very natural on her. “I’m so accustomed to people assuming I’m not well. I promise, I’m fantastic. If not, I’ll let you know.
Ashley Park
In retrospect, she can honestly say that she wasn’t that scared of the ghost. “I was like, ‘Get out of my room!'” with a lot of force, she recalls. “I believe that was successful.” At least long enough for her to catch up on some much-needed sleep before heading down the street to meet me, much to the delight of the brunch-bound girl gangs who ogle and squeal. “When people saw me, they used to just yell, ‘Hey, Emily in Paris,'” she recalls. “Everyone now refers to me as Ashley.”
“People used to just yell, ‘Hey, Emily in Paris!’ when they saw me. Now everybody calls me ‘Ashley.’”
“Celebrity is a really weird word,” she says pausing.
She has to accept it—and quickly, with a big C. Following Emily in Paris, she will co-star with Alexandra Daddario in the film A Tree Fell in the Woods, which Daisy Jones and The Six alumna Nora Kirkpatrick wrote and directed. As a worldwide brand ambassador for Pandora jewellery, Ashley Park now frequently sits in the front row at fashion shows in New York and Paris. She’s also incredibly skilled at interacting and amusing her millions of social media fans with videos including her on-screen boyfriend and real-life beau, actor and model Paul Forman, or with honest messages raising awareness of sepsis.
Can she possibly remain grounded with so much on her plate? Yes, she replies, particularly in light of certain new guidelines and her friends’ encouragement—Florence Pugh and Lily Collins, whom she texted during ghostgate, among others. Ashley relates, “Lily said the ghost was probably just lonely.” Perhaps, akin to her other admirers across the globe, it merely desired to socialise with her.
So, Ashley Park , [extreme Joey Tribbiani voice] “How you doin’?”
It’s always a good thing when I’m better than I was an hour ago. That’s what I want to accomplish all day. Though I really detest it, this time I felt it was a good question. The choice of Joey Tribbiani’s voice was wise, in my opinion.
I am aware of how accustomed you are to enquiries about your well-being.1. Have you ever regretted disclosing that you have cancer?
No. It played a significant role in my situation and would have a lifelong impact on me. It would seem untrue in some sense if folks were unaware of that.
Where exactly were you when you recently got sick?
I was in the Maldives with Paul when I made my first trip to the ER and ICU. Without him, I don’t think I could have survived. We were on the other side of the planet from everyone else.
What happened?
Paul had spent the last two months filming Stags.2 I had travelled far and wide. However, spending quality time together is our love language. After spending Christmas with his family in Thailand, we took a separate trip for New Year’s Eve. All I brought was bikinis! After arriving, I developed a severe case of tonsillitis. Then things really began to go bad. After spending a month in various intensive care units, I flew ambulances. I was not permitted to fly, thus I was unable to depart. I had to go immediately to Paris to recover, not home, because when I could, it was a shorter distance to Paris than to L.A.
When did you find out how bad it really was?
“You have septic shock,” the hospital staff informed to me when I woke up. And I thought, “Whoa, I can’t believe I have sepsis!”
“When I woke up in the hospital and they said, ‘You have septic shock.’ And I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I am shocked I have sepsis!’”
I apologise, but that is absurd.
This is why comedies appeal to me so much! Paul observed that as we were getting into the recounting of events. “Whoa, you already have the salient points prepared to share with people to make it humorous and approachable,” he exclaimed.
Does your wellness routine include humour?
Without a doubt. It simplifies things. I recognise coping techniques because I’m a grownup. Things that I was unaware of in my teenage years. I feel fortunate despite the fact that both of my severe illnesses were sort of freak accidents—no one my age should have septic shock, and no one who is 15 should get cancer. My recovery has been nothing short of miraculous.
Do you believe you learnt anything from sepsis?
I overexerted myself. My body was not being listened to. I’m asking myself, “Am I putting myself in a position where I’m going to be able to do my best?” while I consider my future. That starts with my health. I’m returning to who I used to be. I’m striving to maintain as much stability and vitality as people expect, and I feel and look better.
What are a few self-care practices you follow?
I was employed at Juice Press when I initially relocated to New York. After receiving a Mamma Mia! casting call, I decided to stay on staff at Juice Press because I enjoyed it so much. I received a 50% reduction! Even now, if I can still obtain a cold-pressed green juice and a ginger shot when I feel unwell or extremely exhausted from work, I say to myself, “I’m good.”
I’ve asked a few people, including directors and several of your castmates, about you, and they all have the same response:
Oh god.
—that is, that you are a “human angel.” Three different persons have said those precise words.3.
That makes me laugh since there are moments when I think I’m extremely messy. Not at all—I’m very really tidy. However, I’m too forthright and honest emotionally. I have no idea how to be someone else. Could it be that people perceive it as angelic? I’ve learnt how to find a real method to smile in the face of things that I didn’t want to smile through, like sepsis, cancer, or cruel people in the classroom. It’s a lot simpler than being furious.
Do you receive therapy?
[Meanwhile] I’m not. People used to tell me when I was a teenager that I had cancer. You have to visit a therapist. I responded, “Absolutely not.” That implies that something is not right. Thus, the cancer has prevailed. Then, as an adult, I’ve always felt like there is a lot to catch up with a therapist if I visit them. How even should I begin? How come? Broadway, racism, my cancer? being taken advantage of? I’m not even sure!
Without a doubt, begin with getting duped. I can talk from experience here.
Friends have told me that when everything is fine, that’s the ideal moment to go. Thus, remember that moment I was almost ready to leave? just prior to sepsis.
Not in a manner.
I promise. I was asking my friends, “What therapists can do this over the phone if I’m traveling?” I was researching several healers and star readers.and then—well, no.
I almost hate to ask, but what was your favourite aspect of filming season 4? You shot Emily in Paris just after recovering.
For me, it was truly just a matter of survival. I felt so sick that I was unable to recall anything. To be honest, I don’t think I’m the most gifted or attractive, but I will give myself credit for that. However, I always do my hardest, and I think that’s really important. I believe my resilience to be really high.
Is it possible to discuss how much more your character Mindy sings this time around?
In Rome, she has a wonderful time. The song is an original composition by Freddy Wexler4, and it’s the first time Mindy truly sings from the heart because her character “wrote” it. I started to truly enjoy singing again after filming those portions. To be honest, I’m not able to hit the highest notes.5. I am not the loudest person. However, I can’t sing unless it comes from the bottom of my heart, my gut, and my soul. And Mindy sings songs exactly like that. It’s really lovely.
On and off the show, you and Paul are a couple. Did you immediately like him?
We were just friends at first as I had reached a stage when I was determined not to date an actor ever again. And he told me right away, “I’ve never dated an actor,” among other things. And my reaction was, “Wow.”
Wonderful, but incorrect!
Let’s be honest, he’s visually appealing. Therefore, I thought, “Oh my god, no way.” That is behind me now. Someone with that perfect appearance would never win my heart. So, all we had was friendship. We’d hang around, very platonically. The International Medical Corps then extended an invitation to me to travel to Poland and assist with Ukrainian refugees. Since Paul and I are actually very close friends, I decided that he should accompany me on my week-long trip to Poland since I didn’t want to spend it alone.
I just got back from the theatre, huh! Your coworkers are people you want to grow close to, and I thought, “He’s my new scene partner.” I therefore extended an invitation to him. He remarked, “I am getting really attached to you,” while we were recording one of our final scenes together.
Romantically linked?
I felt so superior to it, so all-knowing. “Oh, you poor man, let me explain,” I said. It’s a show, this. You’re merely overly enthusiastic about everything.
You made an effort to persuade him that he wasn’t attracted to you?
Lily observed the relationship. “Ashley Park , what is going on?” she said. To which I said, “Nothing.” I assured you that I didn’t date actors. I was truly defending myself for the first time at that point. “Lily, your incredulity about my development is disheartening, as he’s precisely the kind of guy I declared I wouldn’t pursue,” I stated to her. I truly want you to trust me since I told you, and I am your friend.
“What do I even start with? My cancer, racism, Broadway? Being cheated on?”
“Your inability to see my progress is sad”—ha! I hope Lily is now continually making fun of you for this.
Yes, exactly. She merely questioned, “So why did you guys kiss during the rehearsal?” back then, though. “It’s because we’ve been doing scenes all week,” I said. And she remarked, “Well, you guys seemed really excited.” Then we got together later that evening. When we went out, I assumed I would be going on a third-wheeling date with him, but it ended up being just the two of us. I immediately thought, “Oh my god, I lied to my best friend.” I’m pretty fond of this man. How should I proceed?
How did you proceed?
It was to Poland that we travelled. It was incredible to watch him be so present as he played chess with these homeless kids and served as a father figure to them while their dads were at war. I so had to undertake a little tour of dehumanisation. “Lily, everyone, we are so in love,” I had to say. That happened roughly two years ago.
Paul is obviously very important to you. However, you didn’t really start your relationship till after a year, am I correct?
Yes, additional.A year and a half had passed. Funny now: our hard launch was supposed to be the trip to the Maldives. I was like, “We’re hard-launching,” if you ask any of my buddies or my assistant. I then developed sepsis. We make jokes about how great our next vacation will be in comparison if it consists solely of picking up rubbish.
He seems to truly appreciate your cheerfulness and good humour.
He’s such a wonderful and kind friend and coworker, which is one of the reasons I wanted to be friends with him and subsequently fell in love. Never have I worked on a set with a more giving or better-mannered straight white dude than I have with this one. Forever, forever, forever.
How did your romantic life used to be, Paul? Did you use any dating apps?
Someone I knew was the first person to appear when I was on Raya in New York. And I said, “Goodbye.” At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when everything was closed, I did another Raya in Paris. The man I met was an out-of-town resident. “I can come to where you live,” he offered. In order to depart early, I answered, “No, I want to go where you live.”
Have you been there?
Yes. Lily was like, “Never go to a stranger’s house and not location-share again!” when she found out the following day.
Hehe. Lily and you are close friends and costars. At work, how do you establish boundaries?
The other day, Lily and I were talking about what constitutes an adult friendship. First of all, Lily and I are quite fortunate. That particular form of friendship was exactly what we needed when we first met and became friends. Sherry Cola, Florence Pugh, and her—we found each other at just the right time.
I have to ask as a fangirl: Are you and Selena Gomez friends because of Only Murders?
Selena is incredible. Selena is a person that is really grounded, much like Flo or Lily. You eventually get a sense of those folks instantly—those who genuinely desire nothing more than to live their best lives. We communicate via SMS frequently. While filming a movie in Paris, she asked herself, “Where should I live?”
What, in your opinion, makes friendships in your 30s different from those in your 20s?
We don’t have to check in every day, Lily and I. When you see someone after months apart and click right away, it’s quite great. You also don’t think you have to be in charge of that person. If they’re enjoying their lives and hanging out with other people, that’s okay.
FOMO does not exist in adult friendships.
I adore spending time with my pals in groups. You feel safe. No anxiety is present.
In a relationship, how can you make time for your friendships?
You just know when you’ve found the one that “takes away from who I am, and I want to be with him.” It entails forming and keeping friendships.
I conduct my research. Do you think astrology is real?
I recently started using it. Geminis are contradictory. I come out as really type A when it comes to business. I’m paying attention to it. However, I genuinely believe that I’m a very emotional and introverted person when I’m by myself and you get to know me.
Are you hiding as an introvert?
One thousand times. I’ve been around so many people, famous or not, that I can’t even begin to count how intimidated I get. The thought that they could be intimidated as well escapes me. I think that’s absurd.
Your achievement has been attributed, in part, to your own optimism. However, what occurs when you simply don’t feel upbeat? What assumes control?
Courage? Willingness? I’m not sure. What’s wrong with me? is a question I’ve asked myself a lot. which my song in Mean Girls was called. That’s how I felt my entire high school and college career. The irony is that “You’re not white” was typically the response. But you simply carry it out. You simply leave.
Can I just for a moment be a huge theatre nerd? You were Tuptim in The King and I at Lincoln Center. The line, “The smile beneath my smile / He’ll never see,” is also hers. That’s how the courage and tenacity sound.
Whoa, what a surprise. My first lead was that. I battled valiantly to secure that position. And since I wasn’t the most qualified person, please give director Bart Sher the credit for this.Six However, Bart remarked, “Well, she’s got the balls and the guts.” Something is inside of her. This character is that. Years and years later, and I still didn’t even realise it at the time, “the smile you’ll never see” is all of this pent-up energy that tells me to enter this room right now. I’m going to walk down these corridors of power and speak with these folks today. They refer to it as navigation, code-switching, or whatever.
Are you annoyed that you have to do that given that you are among the first Asian American actors to achieve this level of success?
No. All of that helped shape who I am, which is why I’m so thankful for it.
Do you think retaliation is ever justified?
retaliation? No. I think karma exists.
Interesting. What makes a difference?
In contrast to karma, which is the idea that “If that person has done that kind of thing, let me see what the universe gives them back,” retribution, in my opinion, is when you believe that you have been wronged and you attempt to exact revenge on that person. And it could take me ten days or ten years to wait. However, it’s fascinating.I believe that much of our early years are spent hoping that other people would experience karma, and then, when we are older, we realise that karma also affects us.
An instance?
Well, my travel luck isn’t always the best. Everyone is aware that I am the author of every travel accident mentioned in the book. Everything from delays to misplaced bags to an ankle sprain. And I think, “Whom have I hurt with my meanness?”
You portrayed a villain on Beef with terrible karma!
The thing I adore about antagonists and villains is that they remind us that bullies believe they are right in life as well. “I am the victim,” they believe. And I thought, “I’m so ready to play this woman with such honesty,” because I’ve interacted with a lot of people who are similar to the character I played in Beef. I enjoy asking myself questions like, “Why did this person treat me this way?,” when I’m acting. I’ll just attempt to work it out for myself. In actuality, that is my therapy.
“If you make it onto my two-and-a-half-person shit list…”
Do you still get bullied now?
To be honest, no one has ever treated me worse than the Michigan college girls. Whoa, I have no idea what was in that water. Not as much now, as we’re better at selecting our circle as adults, right? However, notice that I was the only person of colour in my graduating class from musical theatre. Among the girls, I had no friends at all. Not at all. Additionally, I had a terrible teacher. “Oh, that’s great that you’re entering the industry now. You could take those roles as ethnicity is a big trend right now.” he added.
How did that feel?
Unsettling. Moreover, nice.
And perhaps even akin to retaliation?
My retaliation is this: I will never publicly criticise you if you end up on my two-and-a-half-person hit list. However, if someone asks me personally about you, it’s not about getting even. It all comes down to being sincere.
When was the last time you shed a tear?
When I awoke in my paranormal hotel room this morning! And yesterday, when Paul and I weren’t on the plane, I cried. I’ve never experienced the feeling of, “Oh my god, I wouldn’t feel complete without someone.” I was literally the last to board since I was crying so much that I was startling everyone. I was just afraid of being alone myself, you know. That’s not who I’ve ever been. When I wasn’t on stage, I used to be so proud that I never cried. I’m basically a puddle right now.
