Today on The Edit: I interview my good friend Ashley Brinkman. She's someone who goes after what she wants with transparency and honesty, doesn't settle, and is very aware that there is no better time than now to improve yourself - I admire her for that. Aside from her hustle, she's an amazing friend and embodies our mantra Support Your Local Girl Gang. I'm grateful to be in the community of go-getters we've created in Los Angeles.
If you want to follow along Ashley's journey, look at pretty pictures from Europe the next few weeks, and check out behind the scenes celebrity interviews - follow her on instagram @ashley_brinkman.
What’s your morning routine?
My morning routine begins with minimum three alarms! I have to have a few because I am guilty of hitting snooze a couple of times, but I’m always up by 7:30 am. Then, I’ll turn on some music on my Spotify app - currently I’m getting up in the morning listening to Dua Lipa - and I drink a full glass of lemon water. Next is a shower and then the whole routine of doing hair, makeup, and picking out an outfit.
What motivated you to get into the entertainment industry?
I have always loved the entertainment industry. When I was a young child and asked the infamous question, “what do you want to be when you grow up,” my first ever response was a model. After not having been blessed with height, I pretty quickly moved on to wanting to be either an actor and/or a TV host. I was pretty shy in high school, so to get myself out of my shell, I got into theater and, occasionally, the morning news at my school which was broadcasted on the TV’s in the classrooms. In college, I continued on to study broadcast journalism and communications, all of which definitely played a big role in landing me where I am today.
What’s your favorite part of being a host at Hollywire?
Hollywire brings in some amazing people and is a fun place to be at, both as a host or a guest! As a host, though, it has definitely opened the door for me to meet some amazing people, interview talented individuals in the entertainment industry, and has brought my social media game way up! I feel incredibly confident with myself as a host, interviewer, and social media director.
You recently covered the iHeart Radio Music Festival! How was that experience?
This was an incredible opportunity. I interviewed some of the biggest names in music and TV right now such as Logic, Debby Ryan of Netflix’s Insatiable, Riverdale’s K.J. Apa, and the legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd.
What is a career milestone you hope to reach?
A milestone I would like to hit is hosting/interviewing at the Oscars and attending the Vanity Fair afterparty… with a few plus ones!
I’m having a hard time asking this because, as you know, I’m terrified of scary movies! But I love you! So… What are some of your favorite scary movies?
Haha! I do love a good scary movie, and the ones I like range from scary to funny (they’re not mutually exclusive)! I can watch Scream a hundred times, older horror films like Poltergeist, Halloween, and The Shinning are great. As for some newer ones, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil is hilarious. I thought Get Out was done really well. And It Follows, The Witch, and A Quiet Place are all at the top of my list.
You've acted in horror movies as well. Could you let us know what that’s like? Do you jump out of your seat when you watch your own scenes?
Horror is probably my favorite genre to act in; I truly get sept away in the moment and since I know it’s not actually life-or-death, it’s easy to let go and have fun recreating extreme situations… from being chased and captured by a demonic being brought to life from a cursed board-game to being stranded in the woods with crazy woods-people out for blood (of course without cellphone service)! I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie, so this genre definitely fulfills that for me! I’ve never been scared by watching my own scenes, and I think that helps while watching other horror films that I’m not in; it helps make things just a little less scary, since I’m usually thinking about what it’d be like to film the scene instead of being scared by it. At least, that’s what I try to tell myself!
Do you have any advice for people that aspire to be in the entertainment industry?
Yes! Get out there and meet people in your field! Befriend people who are doing what you want to do, learn from them, create your own content, and work as much as possible. There are companies out there that hire freelancers, and whether it’s paid or free, get as much experience as you can so that you can apply for the job you want and create the career you’re hoping for. Working will create confidence… and a reel!
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
This bit of advice was given to me by a hosting instructor: “If you’re not working, then it’s your own fault.” There was a time when I didn’t know what to do or how to land a job, so I worked for free, built up my experience, and then landed an amazing job hosting at Hollywire. We’re in control of our destiny, so there’s no one to blame (or thank!) but yourself!
Who is on the guest list for your ideal dinner party?
WOW! Such an amazing question. You are on the list (of course!), Ellen DeGeneres, Maria Menounos, Emma Stone, Jennifer Lawrence, Margot Robbie, John Krasinski, Ryan Gosling. Oh, and Dwayne Johnson because he’s very multifaceted, something I strive for, too.