Inspirational Women In Hollywood: How Actress, Filmmaker, and Writer Ashley Versher Is Helping To Shake Up The Entertainment Industry
…be anxious for nothing. My mom taught me that, and it’s something I think about all the time. Anxiety can lead you down the wrong path, where you don’t need to be, and make you willing to do things you’ll regret…
I had the pleasure to talk with Ashley Versher. Ashley is an actress, filmmaker, and writer based in Los Angeles, California, is carving a significant path through the entertainment industry. Born in San Francisco, California, Versher’s journey into the arts began at an early age, showcasing a multifaceted talent that spans across acting, filmmaking, and writing. With a rich cultural heritage rooted in Louisiana, by way of New Orleans, Versher grew up immersed in a variety of activities that shaped her creative and athletic pursuits.
Versher’s acting career has seen her taking on diverse roles in notable television shows including NBC’s “American Auto,” “Law & Order SVU,” and Hulu’s “Reasonable Doubt,” as well as the Emmy-nominated CleoTV series “Tough Love.” Her theater credits are equally impressive, with performances in productions such as “Dracula” in association with the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and “Much Ado About Nothing” with Shakespeare in the Woods. Commercially, she has worked with brands like SEGA and Target, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
Beyond her accomplishments in front of the camera, Versher has made significant strides behind it. In 2023, her debut short film “Brief Exchanges,” which she wrote, directed, and starred in, was officially selected at 13 film festivals and won 5 awards, including Best Director and Best Actor. This achievement highlights her skill and vision as a filmmaker. Additionally, Versher has contributed to the film industry as an associate producer and guest director, further demonstrating her multifaceted talent and dedication to her craft.
Versher’s commitment extends beyond her professional achievements to fostering the growth of young filmmakers of color. As a self-taught filmmaker, she has worked with Made In Her Image, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing young women, girls, and non-binary youth of color in film and media. This work underscores her dedication to giving back and supporting the next generation of creatives.
Her personal life, marked by a love for cooking, baking, yoga, cycling, basketball, running, and softball, reflects the breadth of her interests and her dynamic personality. Versher’s journey from a young girl carrying a backpack, a basketball bag, and a violin to a prominent figure in the entertainment industry is a testament to her resilience, talent, and hard work.
Versher’s collaboration with Jennifer Lopez in the film “This is Me…Now,” where she plays one of Lopez’s best friends, marks a significant milestone in her career. The film, a visual reimagining of Lopez’s life and self-healing process, showcases Versher’s ability to connect and contribute to stories that resonate on a personal and artistic level. Working alongside Lopez, Versher experienced firsthand the dedication and work ethic that define success in the industry, reinforcing her own values and commitment to her craft.
Ashley Versher’s journey in the entertainment industry is a remarkable story of talent, determination, and impact. Her diverse body of work, both in front of and behind the camera, alongside her dedication to fostering diversity and representation in film, positions her as a significant figure in contemporary cinema. As she continues to develop her craft and contribute to meaningful projects, Versher’s influence and achievements will undoubtedly continue to grow, inspiring the next generation of artists and filmmakers.
It’s a delight and an honor to meet you. Before we dive in, readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share with us the story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Yes. I’m originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. My parents are also from the Bay Area, with roots extending back to Louisiana, by way of New Orleans. This rich cultural heritage has always been a part of my family and my spirit. I attended school in San Francisco until high school before moving to the East Bay. My journey in the arts began around the age of five and a half or six. I was eager to play the violin, but my mom thought I was too small and asked me to wait another year. Despite being a very small child, I started playing the violin in first grade. Shortly after, I joined the choir, immersing myself fully in the arts. I was always the kind of kid who wanted to engage in as many activities as possible, including sports. It felt like as soon as I was born, my dad had me catching a basketball. Sports became a big part of my life, alongside playing the violin and focusing on academics, which my parents emphasized strongly.
Growing up, I was that kid who went to school carrying a backpack, a basketball bag, and my violin, all while sporting braces and glasses. In middle school, I dabbled in musical theater, which is where I caught the theater bug. We performed a scene from Oliver, and I still remember the song from that big market scene. After high school, I attended UC Riverside, where I studied psychology. College was an interesting time for me; it was fun but also a period of uncertainty as I felt a continuous pull towards theater, yet I was afraid to pursue it.
After college, I found myself taking communications classes at UCLA Extension, where I met an actor. Meeting her ignited a passion within me that I can’t fully explain. I was so drawn to acting that I chased her down on campus during a snack break to learn everything about pursuing an acting career. She was incredibly supportive and guided me through the challenging early phases of this path. My journey into acting started from that point, and it’s been an amazing and somewhat crazy story. I consider myself very lucky, as many people wait years for such a breakthrough.
At the time, I was working for Kaiser Permanente in medical education. After discovering my passion for acting, I began taking acting classes, commuting across town after work and sitting in traffic for hours. This commitment paid off when I booked my first show at a dinner theater in Rock Island, Illinois, called Circa. I attempted to take a leave of absence from my job, but when that wasn’t possible, I resigned and embarked on this new chapter right after spending Christmas with my family, flying out to Illinois to start rehearsals.
So you probably have so many fascinating stories, anecdotes, and memories from all parts of your career. Can you share with us one or two of your favorite stories or memories so far?
Yeah, let me think. One of my favorite experiences was attending acting school in New York City. I was very fortunate to be part of a conservatory program filled with incredibly talented and wonderful actors. It felt a bit like doing college all over again, but what made it special was the deep connection and support we all shared. Those relationships have endured, and we continue to be each other’s cheerleaders. The friendships I formed there are some of the most precious gifts from my career, and they’re still a significant part of my life.
Another memorable moment was during the opening night of my first show, “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story.” In this musical, I took on multiple roles, including singing, playing the violin, and acting. The final number of the show was a big dance and singing performance. Although I consider myself more of a mover than a trained dancer, I managed to get through rehearsals and make it to opening night. Dressed in a skirt with frills, amidst the dance and singing, I suddenly went into a coughing fit. Tears streamed down my face as I tried to suppress the coughs, terrified and embarrassed on my first opening night. It was a moment I thought would ruin everything, but amusingly, it seemed like not many noticed, except perhaps the women I was dancing with. Reflecting on it now, it’s a funny story, although at the moment, it was anything but. Yet, the director praised the show, and despite the hiccup, life went on.
It’s been said that mistakes can sometimes be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake that you made when you were first starting, either in directing or acting, and then what’s the lesson you learned from that?
Okay, yeah, I’ve got one. This story is a bit of a twist. I was in New York, fresh out of acting school, where the advice often is to audition for everything as practice — preparing, being on time, what to wear, hair and makeup, the whole deal. So, I was doing just that, auditioning for anything and everything. I remember landing this audition for a show, which I won’t name, but was excited because it seemed like a fascinating story.
In the beginning, you’re willing to perform anywhere, even if it means doing a monologue in the back alley of a strip mall. So, I got this audition, and while working as a babysitter in New York, I asked the family if I could leave early to make it. Heading uptown to a familiar building where auditions and rehearsals are common, I found myself waiting in the lobby, only to discover there was no room booked for our audition. Everything in New York gets booked solid, so we ended up having to audition in the main floor hallway, with people walking through.
Despite feeling furious, part of me tried to stay humble, remembering the advice about taking every opportunity. When it was my turn, I was so angry that I ended up giving a powerful audition. Later, I found out I booked the part. However, the real lesson came during the first rehearsal in a small room with the other actors. We were discussing a scene where my character is physically abused by her husband. The director’s approach to the physical aspect of the scene felt unsafe, so I decided to withdraw from the project.
The lesson here is about self-protection and respect. It’s crucial to be selective with auditions and roles, understanding that not all opportunities are safe or have your best interest at heart. This experience was a turning point for me in deciding what types of projects to pursue.
Is there someone who made a profound impact on your professional life? Can you share a story about that person?
Yeah, being a part of Jennifer Lopez’s film was pretty profound, to be quite honest. I never imagined anything like this for myself. I dreamed and hoped for a certain kind of career, and I still do. But I never imagined someone like her would know who I was, choose me, or that I’d have the opportunity to work with someone so talented and incredibly hardworking. As a kid, I remember singing “I’m Real” in my first car. It’s really surreal, and it’s a huge opportunity. I know I’m very grateful for it, and I always will be. That’s probably one of the biggest things.
Also, it’s such a privilege to watch someone like her work. People talk a lot about work ethic, especially in acting. It’s something that gets talked about a lot and really instilled in you. As an African American woman, work ethic and outworking people are emphasized in my culture and upbringing. Kerry Washington, for example, talks about the idea of being ten times better and working harder. Watching someone like Jennifer Lopez work is really incredible. I’m very, very lucky.
Amazing. Let’s pretend you were the queen of Hollywood, where a snap of your fingers could make changes happen. What changes have you been pleased to see over the past few years, and what would you, as the queen, want to change moving forward?
Oh God, being the queen! I’m truly thrilled about the diversity we’re seeing in the industry. It’s so heartening to see people who look like me increasingly represented on TV, in films, and on magazine covers. Take, for example, Kerry Washington’s cover for Elle. Walking out of my acting school in New York City and seeing it on a newsstand was a moment of feeling profoundly seen. That was incredible. Then there’s an episode in “Scandal” featuring Kerry Washington, Viola Davis, and Cicely Tyson all on screen together. Watching that scene unfold on my TV brought me to tears. It was an overwhelming feeling, hard to articulate the emotional impact of such diversity.
It’s one thing to talk about the importance of diversity from statistical, political, and social perspectives. However, explaining the deep emotional resonance it holds is more challenging. Experiences like crying in front of the TV upon seeing these powerful representations are indescribable. Similarly, seeing Megan Thee Stallion in CoverGirl commercials made me feel seen again. Megan represents the kind of beautiful black women I admired growing up. Her presence in mainstream media is a powerful reminder of why diversity matters — it’s deeply personal.
So, the progress in diversity is something I deeply appreciate. If I were queen, however, the role of being the queen of Hollywood is something I would change. No one dreams of that responsibility. Oh, it would be terrible.
So you have so much impressive work. You mentioned your huge project with This Is Me. Can you share with our readers the exciting projects you’re working on now? Can you share some of the things that are coming up in the pipeline? Tell us more about This Is Me and why we should check it out. Why is it so important?
This Is Me is an Amazon original love story by Jennifer Lopez, directed by Dave Myers. It’s a love story, and who doesn’t love a good love story, right? It’s described as an intimate cinematic musical experience, which I think speaks volumes. Intimate and personal experiences have the power to touch people’s hearts. I hope this project will inspire and empower viewers, stimulating them to believe in love and the idea that love can last forever, that there is such a thing as forever love. I believe people will find it visually stunning, which is always a plus. This project is so unique that it’s a must-see.
And for me, personally, I’m working on my next film. My short film, Brief Exchanges, went through the festival circuit in 2023. Wrapping that up was a fantastic experience. It was my first film where I took on the roles of writer, director, and lead actor, which was quite the challenge, but I managed. We won some awards, which was incredibly rewarding. It was a great learning experience. I’m currently in development for my next film, focusing on the themes of motherhood, womanhood, and friendship between women. I’m really excited about it and hoping to shoot this summer, fingers crossed.
This is our signature question that we ask in all of our interviews. So, Ashley, you’ve been blessed with so much success now. Looking back to when you started, do you have five things you wish somebody had told you when you first started?
- First, as a Black woman, I wish someone had told me to do whatever I want with my hair. I wish I had known that. It’s something many of us struggle with at the beginning, feeling pressured by external forces. I’ve had countless conversations with other Black actresses and Afro-Latina actresses. My mother was also Afro-Latina, and my grandfather was from Honduras, about hair. It might not be the most crucial thing, but it’s significant.
- Second, you are enough, which will be a lifelong journey for me. But I think if I had started with that mindset a long time ago, it would have been beneficial.
- Third, be anxious for nothing. My mom taught me that, and it’s something I think about all the time. Anxiety can lead you down the wrong path, where you don’t need to be, and make you willing to do things you’ll regret.
- Fourth, take breaks for real. There’s so much advice out there saying never to book out, always be available, even when you’re on vacation. But I don’t believe in this. The business will always be here. And although I sometimes struggle with this, if I could do anything other than be an actor, I would be a constant world traveler. That’s my dream. So, take breaks. You deserve them, and they’re important.
- Fifth, whatever is for you is for you, and no one can change that.
That’s amazing. So, when you mentioned taking breaks, could you share with our readers the self-care routines that you practice to help your body, mind, and heart thrive?
Yeah, okay. So, I’m fond of temporary habits, something I’ve had to accept about myself. For instance, sometimes I journal, engaging in it every day for about six months straight, then taking a long break afterward. That’s just how I operate, but journaling really helps me feel good. I’m also very big on meditation, though not in the sense that I need to meditate for 45 minutes — that’s not my thing. But maybe a 10 to 15-minute meditation session suits me well. I have a skincare routine that I absolutely love; it brings me lots of joy, especially when I’m in the mood. Another significant practice for me is turning my phone to do not disturb mode, which I do all the time, particularly from 8 o’clock to 10 a.m., even though my representatives might not appreciate it much. Taking breaks from social media is crucial for me as well. And my biggest self-care activity is going on vacation, which I acknowledge is a privilege.
Beautiful. Okay. This is our second to last question. So Ashley, because of the great work you’ve done and the platform that you’ve built, you’re a person of great influence. A lot of people take your words very seriously. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most people, what would that be?
I don’t know if this helps or answers your question, but something that matters to me is the belief that when Black trans youth feel safe, we all can feel safe. I’m a supporter and have worked with GLSEN and GLSEN Arizona, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting K through 12 children by creating safe and inclusive environments for them in school. To be more specific, I believe that when Black trans girls feel safe, we can all feel safe.
That’s great. Beautiful. Okay, how can our readers continue to follow your work online? How can they watch the film? How can they support you in any way?
Yeah, Instagram is great. That’s kind of like my main social media platform. I don’t really mess with the other ones. I’m like, nah. It’s @AshleyVersher.
You can check out my other stuff on my website, which is Ashleyversher.com. Then my production company is called LittleBlackGirlFromTheBayProductions.com. That’s where you can check out things for my film and any upcoming projects that I have, like this new film, as things start to continue to develop.
Amazing. Well, Ashley, it’s been a joy and an honor to meet you. You have so much great energy, and I know you’re going to be a superstar one day, like Jennifer Lopez. I wish you continued success, and I hope we can do this again next year when you have another project.
Thank you so much.
My pleasure, Ashley.
Inspirational Women In Hollywood: How Actress, Filmmaker, and Writer Ashley Versher Is Helping To… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.