Broadway Actress Ashley Park Is Uniting Art With Activism

"Just Be Cause” is our interview series where celebs, activists, and influencers answer alternating questions about social change (“cause”) and about who they are as a person (“just because”).

Ashley Park is a Grammy- and Tony-nominated performer who you may know for originating the role of "Gretchen Weiners" in the Broadway musical Mean Girls. Most recently, she can be seen in the newly-released Netflix original series Tales of the City as Ani Winters and starring in a comedy pilot written by Jessica Gao.

She may have played a Plastic, but Ashley is a real life nice girl and Broadway darling who continues to light up the stage and screen, Ashley hosted the 2019 DoSomething Gala and has been linking performance with activism since college, where she co-founded the Michigan Performance Outreach Workshop (MPOW) to foster community and self-expression through performing arts education. Here in New York City, Ashley has been an avid spokesperson and keynote speaker for the Make-A-Wish foundation, performed with and for the SeriousFun Kids camps for young people with chronic and terminal illnesses, has participated in Covenant House’s Stage & Screen Sleep Out for homeless youth and has hosted and performed in annual fundraisers for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Throughout her career, she’s made a point of using her platform to amplify causes she’s passionate about.

Read our interview below to hear about Ashley’s role models, her hope for the future, and which fictional character she identifies with. And if you’re looking for a way to give back like Ashley, check out our Take Back the Prom: Outfit Donations campaign to learn how you can help out local students with a quick sweep of your closet.

DoSomething: What cause or organization are you most passionate about?

Ashley: I was just honored by the Cancer Support Community with the Award for Empowerment, named after Marin Mazzie, who was a Broadway treasure. I think the Cancer Support Community is wonderful because it really is an organization that helps the people and families affected by cancer, and not one that only tries to find research and cures. As a cancer survivor, that is something that's very important to me.

What song is guaranteed to make you dance?

"Some Nights" [by fun]. That's like a college throwback to me.

What moment or experience made you want to change the world?

A moment when I was working in a juvenile facility when one of the boys was being released. We had a very detailed conversation that I'll never forget. This boy was different from [me in a lot of ways]. We both felt similarly about being cheated out of our childhoods and time a little bit -- me because of the sickness, and him because of the judicial system. When he had such a deep understanding of something that I had gone through just because of his experience, that was very much when I was like, there's something much bigger than me at play here, and that's something that I need to be involved in.

What’s the last show or series of movies you've binged?

I just started binging Barry, but I can watch Friends anytime. Oh and cooking shows. Great British Bakeoff or Chopped!

Who or what gives you hope for the future?

These young people [at the 2019 DoSomething gala].

What is your guilty pleasure?

Cheese and ice cream. I think it's guilty to me because I can't sing when I've had dairy, but when I don't have to sing, I'll literally just munch on any and all kinds of cheese.

What is your best self care hack?

I don't do it enough, but sleep is everything. It's literally not a secret but just so hard to do or find time for.

What are three things you'd do on a perfect day?

Eat what I want, do what I want, and see who I want to see.

Who is your role model?

My mom, my sister, Laura Linney, and Michelle Obama.

What's your secret talent?

I really do think I'm able to make anybody laugh. At least I'd like to try.

What issue or cause should more people be talking about?

The environment, for sure. Refugees. Youth incarceration and rehabilitation.

What fictional character are you most like?

The first thing that came into my head was Kiki's Delivery Service. Definitely not Gretchen Wieners.

What young person or group of young people inspires you the most?

Any young person who's really, really passionate about something and is not afraid to be passionate about it. I think a lot of people are scared to be passionate.

What is your favorite meme?

You know who does a good job at them? Jared Loftin. He’s my friend, and I truly like his memes. They're so specific and so funny.

What is something you watch, read, or listen to to feel inspired or empowered?

I feel like I'm mostly empowered and inspired by interacting with people, and it's hard for me to pinpoint something that I intake. I think I like going to the theater for that reason.

What is the biggest change you'd like to see in the world in the next five years?

I think that we're just lacking in respect and empathy, whether that be in a big setting or just within homes.

What's your most overused Emoji?

I'm hesitant to say it's the kissy with the heart, but I think it is.

What advice would you give to young people who want to make a difference?

Lead with your heart but always with knowledge.

In three words, how are you feeling?

Really, super psyched.