In Defense Of Ashley Kerwin

[@alfjgist]

I liked Ashley. She had obvious character flaws, but that made her a real girl, and not some overly perfect person that should be loved just because. I didn’t like her friendship with Terri, because it seemed like she would randomly put Terri down, passive aggressively to make herself feel better about her own insecurities. I understand why people hate her, but it just seemed that all she really wanted was acceptance. This was apparent when she lost her friends, and spent half of season 2 trying to get them back, or how she acted towards Craig just to hear I love you from him. Her character is so much deeper than the nose turned up girl that everyone sees. I think that’s what makes her likable to me...

[@NotAVampyre]

Very much the same for me. She's so fun to analyze and to think about, even if she's got some major and off putting character flaws.

[@EmergentSea]

I think the reason I don't hate Ashley is because I can relate to her. I can be a bit judgemental, passive-agressive, in a negative mindset or pretty self-centered. I'm repeating my mistakes and at the end of the day she makes me see my own flaws which is why I can't hate her. I find her to be one of the most relatable characters.

[@cheshirerose2001]

I know this comment is a year old but agreed, she's a very realistic depiction of a teen girl I would rather her than those bimbos on PLL

[@michellesakura1]

she overthinks too much. and I always wondered eventhoe she considered Terri to be a good friend to her, why she couldn't spare just a little time to visit her in the hospital a bit sooner. It was hard for Paige and Spinner too but they still did it.

[@NotAVampyre]

I think I understand Ashley's reluctance there. Like....some people really struggle to see the ones the love in pain. Not knowing how to respond, what to say, how to act, and being powerless to do anything to help them. And for Ashley, if she could avoid something she doesn't want to do, then she'll refuse it for as long as possible.

[@SMP2390]

Hospitals tend to make people uncomfortable.

[@NotAVampyre]

They def make me uncomfortable, and as much I talk about death n stuff, I hate being around people who are dying.

[@pikachick222]

There are a lot of similarities between Ashley and Frankie.

[@NotAVampyre]

I can see it!

[@queenoftrades7254]

They even look alike

[@azzz7279]

I think Ashley & Katie Matlin have a lot in common

[@allief2000]

I feel like a lot of people act like nothing after season three mattered with her. I think she grew a lot, especially with the Paige ass*ult and Craig learning he’s bipolar storylines. These were some of the first times she had to look at something through someone else’s view, and she did.

[@JP-pp2tn]

her goth stage was her best look i really think it fit her character

[@NotAVampyre]

Same and it was just soo unique!

[@oooh19]

@@NotAVampyre not really. alternative looks have always been around and it was very popular as well. emo, scene, punk etc. not saying it's bad but it's just not unique

[@kitsulu8576]

Me too, I love the smudged eyeshadow & eyeliner, it wasn't too over the top with chains, spikes, a ton of piercings for example (not that there's anything wrong with that).... She had like a romantic, conservative goth look. Which is exactly my style.

[@SMP2390]

It's kinda true it's like she couldn't be happy with her self I mean I get it cause I feel that when I was younger and a bit now. It's like when she was making music and the lable guy was like what is your real sound and she didn't know. Also her style like she was popular pop girl one season, goth when hanging with Ellie, and then alt when she went out with Crieg then she went back to normal when she came back to London only to go back when she broke up with Jimmy.

[@andS7]

Ashley was always the quickest to judgement. Didn’t miss her when she was gone

[@janellenapoleon9877]

Fr

[@a.d.snickles9450]

I completely agree!! The fandoms treatment of Ashley always bothered me, because she so clearly had mental health issues and even if you don‘t like her as a person, that doesn‘t mean it‘s okay to show no empathy and understanding for depression and just give up on her and shove her aside

[@NotAVampyre]

Actually, I think Ashley's problems can't just be boiled down to mental health. Sure, a counselor might help her with her insecurities, but she'll also need to adjust how selfish she is in the face of others' needs.

[@a.d.snickles9450]

NotAVampyre of course they can‘t be boiled down to it! As I said, it‘s still understandable to not like her as a person, not everything about her is a direct result of depression. But I‘ve barely ever seen anyone address her mental health and how some of her behaviors might be influenced by it at all, and that just never sat right with me. Yeah she totally has to work on herself. At the same time bad characteristics like being selfish can very much be amplified by depression. I saw a lot of myself in her too for that reason and it made me realize a couple of my own flaws. I‘m not trying to excuse hers, I just think there are reasons that play into that which are very rarely addressed because they are so overshadowed by the general hatred for this character - which is a shame, because regardless of how unlikable a character may be, it‘s an important conversation to have

[@alfjgist]

I feel like her issues went deeper than that. I’m not sure she had really forgiven her mother for the divorce at the beginning of the series, and all of a sudden she has an instant father figure and brother. She was an only child, and now getting acceptance from her mother was going to be harder. There was that, separation from her biological dad, and trying to be the best constantly to get approval from anyone. It’s hard to watch at times...

[@SMP2390]

@@NotAVampyre You could see that with her friendship with Terri at times.

[@Kevin-rg3yc]

You know what? I secretly believe that there is low key a double standard for complex female characters in TV and movies who don’t fall into one dimensional likable attitude the same way it is for male anti hero characters who in a lot of cases are way worst from a moral standpoint. That not to say people should like anti heroine complex female characters or they are far from critiques bc they are women/young girls but it’s just weird when I see the differences. Overall I wasn’t a fan of Ashley on degrassi growing up but as I got older while I still didn’t like her 100% I did understand her more espacially concerning her depression. I hope you do a video on Mia bc she’s one character I try to empathize with but just overall can’t stand her

[@NotAVampyre]

I think a lot of people are starting to pick up how mean fans are to female characters in media. They're held to a higher standard than their male counterparts, and I wonder if part of that is because media considers cis straight white dudes to be default and anything else must be justified. I'll eventually do an episode on Mia, but I'm curious as to why you can't stand her.

[@Kevin-rg3yc]

NotAVampyre that’s true, I see that a lot in the media and public perception it’s a similar feeling I had with the Joker movie like would people still rave and celebrate that film if they used a black, Latino or Asian man to play Arthur/Joker, knowing the negative oppressed stereotypes that are associated with men of color? As for Kia I think for me I didn’t like Mia bc I felt a lot of times she uses her situation as a single teen mother not only as a crush but also as excuses to do stupid things and not take full accountability for it. I also still in cringe that she judged Darcy for leaving peter for Africa for charity work but she left him for Paris for modeling she came off at times a hypocrite

[@NotAVampyre]

I can understand not liking Mia for that. She's another character who I'd sometimes hate to know or not be a huge fan of irl but who I like in terms of storytelling and mirroring reality.

[@Kevin-rg3yc]

NotAVampyre yeah I really liked how in season 7 she was like the first person to help Anya get out of her shadow and be her own person as suppose to being a follower to holly J and I was rooting for in times for her modeling dreams but idk there were just times where I shake my head at her

[@ninashewchuk8976]

I can't stand Mia. Part of it has to do with Nina Dobrev's line delivery. She always talks like she's got marbles in her mouth or like she's clenching her back teeth together and it annoys me. But in terms of her character, I was indifferent to her until season 8. That season is when I started hating her. She was introduced to present viewers with a depiction of a single teen mom who was struggling to raise her child and balance high school. And then in season 8, the writers took what was interesting and different about her and threw it out the window to give her a wacky plot about becoming an international model over the course of a few months and neglecting her child's needs to further her career, because I guess the idea of having your new leading lady be a moderately unpopular teen mom wasn't "sexy" enough. So her mom conveniently had lots of time to become Isabella's primary caretaker to free Mia up for things that didn't revolve around having a kid. And then the writers had the audacity to constantly try to make viewers feel bad for her because she was only "trying to be a normal teenager", but her daughter and schoolwork were getting in the way of her fancy modelling career. Season 8 was a big mess, though. Apart from the fact that dull characters like Blue, Leia, and Kelly were introduced, it just seemed like none of the characters at Degrassi actually liked each other during that season. The niners were just getting to know each other and were kind of bratty and mean to one another, and our older main girls - Mia, Anya, Holly J and Chantay - were just super catty. And the way Peter and Mia were shoved down our throats was so cringeworthy. Peter was so clearly not over Darcy, and I love how often we were reminded of that. With regards to the teen mom plot, at least the writers kind of redeemed themselves when they showed a far more realistic struggle of being a (single-ish) teen mom with Jenna. Whenever Jenna put her needs ahead of Tyson's, she faced consequences, was reprimanced, and she damn well learned her lesson. And she became a more mature, humble, and likeable character as a result. Mia at most got some overly saccharine pep talk from her mom.

[@andkaylea]

i love ashleys red hair i thought the style was cute and very flattering on her

[@NotAVampyre]

Same!!! I also loved her hair with blue streaks she had in the early part of season 2

[@xryxix]

those were such iconic looks. honestly adored the gothic chic she had going on

[@ninashewchuk8976]

I loved her magenta-coloured hair in the opening credits for seasons 3/4, and I'm sad that she was never featured with it in the show itself.

[@ninashewchuk8976]

@@xryxix She gets a lot of flak for not dressing "goth enough" in season 2, but it wouldn't have made sense for her to become a "real goth" immediately after her friends ditched her. It makes sense for the former popular, overdramatic keener to think that throwing on a black cardigan and skirt makes you a goth. I like how we saw her goth style evolve gradually over the course of season 2.

[@xryxix]

@@ninashewchuk8976 exactlyyy elitist goth community is so gross like hello nonconformity just because that's what you wanna do is ultimately goth asf anyway

[@Unknown-bq9id]

IMO, her best moment was slapping Craig in front of everyone at the Christmas show at Degrassi after finding out he was cheating on her...

[@cheshirerose2001]

It was satisfying that's for sure it annoyed me when she went back to him

[@MiniMeags]

Me reads title: 😳

[@NotAVampyre]

:D

[@GoneWithTheScript]

I love the Degrassi content, Ashley could never be happy that was her problem

[@NotAVampyre]

Thank you!

[@belles_library]

Ashley was the best, and the one I relate to as an adult, but also when I was a kid. She's complex and such a rich character. Glad someone finally said all of this!

[@NotAVampyre]

Wouldn't say she's the best, but definitely under appreciated

[@TV247]

Growing up watching Degrassi, I never even knew how hated she was. It wasn't until I went on a Degrassi binge a few years ago on KZbin when I noticed it, man it was so ridiculous. At times it seems like people were hating on Ash for the smallest things or even for no reason. I swear she could have stopped Rick's shooting, and the fandom would have been like "Why didn't she save Jimmy on time?"

[@cheshirerose2001]

THIS^^^ I remember people were hating on her for changing her style and having an "identity crisis" even though other characters were changing their sytles and thats something most teenagers (and even young adults) go through. Not to mention with some scenes where people were hating on her she apologized in the same scenes. There was a video that was showing her worst moments but most of them weren't even that bad. She is the most overhated character in the fanbase, also I hate how some people take their hate for the character so far they insult the actress. Not to mention there are characters who did worse stuff than her (like Craig) who are beloveded in the fanbase

[@smolvaporeon]

I actually really love when you make these type of videos!! I am also someone who, to be honest, ends up really liking a lot of ~unpopular opinion~ characters. while some of those characters I may not have liked so much until rewatches as I got older and had a better understanding of, i don't really know how to phrase it? just more understanding of people in general? I think Ashley was one of the most realistic characters and very well written. I can't recall if you mentioned this in one of your videos or if I saw it somewhere, but so many people forget the moment where Ashley tells Craig that what he did literally made her want to die. I do not at all think that was her being "dramatic," I think that genuinely was what she felt and it just gets shrugged off by so many people. of course, outing Manny's pregnancy to the entire cafe was wrong, and i am not saying her age justifies it. that being said, I don't think it was an unrealistic reaction from her. she was about 15 at that point, it doesn't make what she said okay by any means, but realistically? how many 15 year olds are going to immediately realize this after being completely heart broken.

[@NotAVampyre]

Yeah, I also found her to be painfully realistic. That's why I knew exactly how I'd feel about her if I knew her irl, because I've known people like her. It's also my favourite type of video to make. It's just so much fun to try to rewrite the commonly accepted understanding of the show

[@ninashewchuk8976]

I'm a longtime Ashley apologist, so I clicked within 2 seconds of seeing the thumbnail! I started watching the show back in Season 1, and as someone who's a bit older than the grade 8 class was that season, I could relate to Ashley in a way that I couldn't relate to anyone else on the show, because at the time I found everyone else to be too petty and immature. I wasn't as type A as Ashley was, but I respected her drive. Also we dressed alike (I too went through an unfortunate hair phase back in the early 2000s - many, many unfortunate hair phases in fact), were both creative, and liked indie rock. I wish that she had been fleshed out more in later seasons, especially given how prominent her role was in the first couple of seasons. I think that she would have been a good candidate for a clinical depression plot - after the shooting. It would have made sense in light of her personality. Honestly, before Maya in NC, I can't recall if the show ever really delved into the psychological conditions of its female characters in the way it did with its male characters. Zoe, Fiona, and Ellie self-medicated or self-harmed, but I feel as though the show did little to address their mental health, versus characters like Craig and Eli who went to counsellors and took medication for their conditions. I would have liked to have seen Ashley needing to take anti-depressants and navigate high school as someone who suffers from bouts of depression. I think that it would have made her more sympathetic to viewers, who otherwise saw her as sullen and bitchy.

[@NotAVampyre]

hahahahaha

[@Hurricanetongue]

I agree with you. She was obviously depressed. I would say she was depressed and bipolar but I know they wouldn't have gone the bipolar route because they were already doing that with Craig. Melissa (ashley) definitely had the acting Chops to get more serious meaty storyline but alas it didn't happen. Maybe something like her taking ecstasy again in order to feel happy to make everyone else happy would have been nice.

[@NotAVampyre]

I don't think she really fit the profile for bpd anyways. She never really had episodes of mania or intense highs. Just seemed like mainly lows

[@ralphjb]

I have to disagree with you there as far as Craig is concerned. After his initial diagnosis and an episode where he stopped taking his pills, his condition wasn't really addressed. Not even when he returned to the show with a coke addiction. That said, one can certainly headcanon that his disorder is what led to his future drug addiction.

[@ChristineTheHippie]

I feel like so many of the girls who get hated are hated for simply acting like teen girls. Yes, they can be annoying or selfish or melodramatic but is that really worth the hate?

[@cheshirerose2001]

I can't help but wonder if Ashley was a guy would people hate her as much? Sure she did do some terrible things but there were male characters who did worse stuff who are still beloved by the fanbase

[@NotAVampyre]

I wonder that too, and its a theory going around. So many female characters get dragged while male.characters aren't bothered too much

[@claramcvay3531]

i blame ashley's inability to be likable on bad writing. craig was a mess, but his issues were well written and flushed out. ashley wasn't given that growth in her writing and it SHOWS.

[@NotAVampyre]

I mean, I like her as a character a lot. She's a hot mess in such a believable way that I don't think it's fair to blame how disliked Ashley is on the writing. Some people just aren't likeable, and that's okay.

[@claramcvay3531]

@@NotAVampyre i see what you're saying and i don't disagree. i blame it on the writing bc ashley never got the canon diagnoses + help for the issues she clearly had. like she was the female craig hence why they dated but he got better writing? idk if that makes sense but yeah

[@NotAVampyre]

Honestly, I still can't blame the writing here as someone who has and has known people with these problems who never get help or at least don't get help while in high school. It's very realistic.

[@foxcharin]

I also wanna say that I don’t think that Ashely is depressed (just my opinion). I think she just had abandonment issues due to her parents divorce. She’s stuck in this mindset of happiness and love are these allusive ideas and thus she continuously looks for ways to be “edgy” and “different” so she has a reason as to why people don’t bother with her. So when people actually do come to like her, it doesn’t feel authentic because it’s never who she is. She questions it because she wonders if they actually like her or just the person she pretends to be.

[@NotAVampyre]

She most certainly was depressed in season 3. But, she did not have depression. She would not have matched the diagnosis requirements for depression (i.e. symptoms occurring for at least 6 months) but she still showed symptoms of depression such as lethargy, withdrawing from friends, general sadness, loss of interests in things she once enjoyed, etc.

[@foxcharin]

NotAVampyre Your assessment is why I made my claim.

[@NotAVampyre]

But in your claim you seem to pim everything she felt on her parents, and it didn't seem to make the distinction of depression vs being depressed. That's why I responded the way I did.

[@foxcharin]

NotAVampyre You’re correct so I do apologize for not wording it correctly. I do still feel that her issues stem from the perceived abandonment of her parents. I agree that she had a depressed stage, but that she doesn’t suffer from depression.

[@princehakeem6513]

Ashley is my favorite TNG character. She was always the best dressed and one of the prettiest, and I loved when they had her singing in later seasons. Like you, I see alot of myself in Ashley, to the point where I expected her character arc following season 1 to be similar to how I grew during college. To make a long story short, because of the ecstasy incident I thought Ashley's arc was going to be: "perfect" girl makes a mistake that permanently impacts her psychologically and suffers trauma from future events happening in her life that break her and cause her to suffer from depression. I wish that they touched more on Ashley being depressed as a plot point to forward her character but she sort of became a device that existed to spark conflict in Jimmy and Craig's storylines as opposed to having her own be more developed. That said, she's still my favorite and one of the people I can relate to the most. I'm glad you made this video because i wanted to see someone talk about Ash's character without completely destroying her in place of people like Manny or Paige.

[@babyfaceweeb8937]

Watched a video on her most annoying moments, and like a lot of them weren't annoying. Like the most annoying thing about her was how she treated Jimmy.

[@juliecash3240]

You should make a video about tobey issacs,he was criminally underused and it seems as though his character never really got any good storylines or developement

[@ralphjb]

I never realized Ashley was so hated by people. She was always one of my favorite characters as I have a big place in my heart for all the season 1 OG's. That said, while I found some of her choices to be questionable and immature, I always understood her actions and feelings.. One of the things this series always did well was in writing an character development. Especially when it came to the main cast. While in retrospect, I do see that Ashley was stuck in a bit of a loop where she was repeating the same mistakes over and over again, so were a lot of the other kids. That's kinda what you do in high school. You repeat the same mistakes until you finally learn from them and move on. For some of us, it just takes longer to learn those lessons than others. Lord knows, I've known a few Ashley Kerwins in my life. I've even dated one or two. Lol.

[@NotAVampyre]

Yeah, that's why it's hard for me to hate characters I'm Degrassi because the show forces me to empathize with them even when they're doing bad.

[@ralphjb]

@@NotAVampyre Agreed. Though Jay was absolutely insufferable in earlier seasons. I still hate that he never got the hate that Spinner did for the Jimmy thing. It's like, Spinner may have confessed but it was Jay's idea and he egged Spinner into it.

[@devonmunn5728]

In the comments for TVShow Time (a TV show tracking app) people were always hating on her. Even though I haven't dived deep into Degrassi content and discussions around it (I'm kind of dipping my toes now I'm getting need the end of Next Gen and I'll watch Next Class and be done with it in a couple months) but I did get how people feel in general about her just from the comments

[@cheshirerose2001]

Thank you for this! I just started watching this series for the first time (wished I watched it sooner) and Ashley is actually one of my favorite characters so far and I think she's very overhated. Sure there were some scenes where she did annoy me but that could also be said for a lot of the other characters too. I remember someone said that one of their biggest complainants with her character was her constantly changing styles even though that's something most if not all teenagers go through, huge part about not only teens but young adults as well is finding your identity. Sure she did say insensitive stuff to Paige about rape but she did apologize when she found out Paige was raped and was even the one who got her a counselor. Some people also hated her for when she was high off ecstasy and coming from personal experience being high (only with me it was weed) you do and say stupid things I actually could relate to that scene because I remember when I got high once and I was high to the point where I didn't even remember much from that night but what I did remember was the next day I lost a friend (granted it was probably for the best because she didn't even tell me what I did but this is getting off-topic) but I could really relate to her in that scene. She made dumb decisions but that's part of being a teen, I swear I think people just love hating on teen girls and female characters for being flawed and complex. I feel like people watching this show forget that these characters are teenagers and that teens do stupid things and are overdramatic

[@PGOuma]

Yeah, I actually liked her a lot. She was hella relatable. I'm way too serious and usually end up questioning my own self about why I'm so serious and can't just have fun and let go? And then the "I can't allow myself to be happy" thing with her is also relatable. I feel like each time I obtain some bit of happiness, something bad will come and ruin it or I don't deserve to be happy because I have messes up so badly in the past. Idk. I love her! Lol

[@falloutboy9424]

Relatable? So you would also cheat on your BF? You'd rat out someone's personal pregnancy business? I'd hate to be around you smh...

[@NotAVampyre]

You confuse relatability with meaning they're exactly like Ashley. You can find connection in a character and not be exactly like them or have done everything they have. I relate alot to Captain America's sense of justice, but I wasn't frozen in tine or served in WW2. Do not bend words to justify spitting poisoned towards others.

[@falloutboy9424]

@@NotAVampyre no offense, but if they're anything like Ashley I'd hate to be around them as well. She was toxic. I'm not saying everyone is l8ke that who relates to her...but yea...she was a POS to Jimmy and Craig.

[@NotAVampyre]

you're again assuming they must be like Ashley if they relate to her, and again that's not how relatability works. I don't care if you hate the character. Don't direct that hate towards people you don't know, especially in my comment section. You're being very toxic right now

[@margaretdiaz6043]

Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu Like I nevertheless understood the absolute hate she received sure she did some really crummy things like dumping Craig in England and taking jimmy off her track but all in all I really liked her and felt really bad for her when everyone (especially Paige) being so mad at her for what she did on drugs like Paige called her a hag before or somebody mean stuff like that but suddenly Ashely is the worst for calling her a hag like ??? And also I never thought she was ugly like I felt bad for the actress since all the comments clown her appearance but anyway ahahah rant over I really liked your vid like always!

[@NotAVampyre]

haha thank you very much!

[@gm.8805]

i feel like ashley was burned out. she had everything perfect going for her, and yet couldn’t help but be destructive. she was definitely an academic overachiever who felt as though she had to put her best in something. it was very frustrating watching her make stupid decisions, or be a bad friend or girlfriend. ofcourse, she didn’t deserve to be cheated on, but i wasn’t comfortable with the way she treated craig when he was bipolar.

[@lovelyswimmer1]

As flawed as Ashley was, she was the most realistic. She had talent, grace and intelligence that was often overlooked. Plus she was beautiful. She was beautiful in that very classic, timeless non Y2K style. I just wish she got more of a storyline independent of Jimmy and Craig.

[@cheshirerose2001]

Same here they should have given her a depression storyline

[@NotAVampyre]

Id argue she did have depression in season 3. It was just understated and less intense than the others that came before and after

[@ranip7644]

I liked Ashley. Manny was probably my least favorite. Her and Spinner.

[@legendary2553]

U have no taste

[@NotAVampyre]

Yikes chill dude. that's uncalled for

[@cheshirerose2001]

@@legendary2553 Chill it's just someones opinion on fictional characters.

[@legendary2553]

@@cheshirerose2001 I was just joking…

[@NotAVampyre]

That wasn't clear

[@oofieoof1474]

i may not like ashley as a person but i LOVE her music and her songs and I think she was one of the better musicians on degrassi.

[@NotAVampyre]

I'm a bit middle ground with her stuff. Honestly, I think I'd more often listen to Maya's music from NC.

[@princess1peach]

Nah that was Craig

[@sorntrash]

I really liked Ashley because she changed a lot over the school terms. Hated her a lot too but I felt the same about most of the characters tbh (Manny comes to mind).

[@JanuaryLovesSelena]

I hadn’t watched much of the older Degrassi episodes so I don’t remember too much about Ashley, but I can definitely relate. I have Borderline Personality Disorder and before diagnosis and treatment, I was very similar to her. Everyone else was the problem, no matter how many friends I had and no matter how perfect my life was, it was never enough. Whenever I had something new in my life, it would work for awhile but eventually I was miserable again. I ended up having a breakdown which led to my diagnosis. I don’t think Ashley has BPD, but she definitely needs help

[@NotAVampyre]

Thank you very much for weighing in with your own experience and relating it to Ashley! It's certainly not a perspective I have, so I found it very interesting!

[@jamiepresley9624]

I love your hair btw!! It's so cute!

[@NotAVampyre]

Thank you!! haha tanks!

[@GG1Productions]

The first episode I watched was time stands still and it was on during a marathon before the season 8 premiere; I didn't grow up with Ashley like everyone else did so I didn't really mind her as much. It's easier to absorb her pretentiousness and condescending attitude while binging as opposed to having to live with these qualities week to week for four years. I didn't get why the fandom hated her so much (and on some level I still can't get on the hate train) but I can see how she could be obnoxious to people. And while as a 25 year old I can't support her outing Manny's pregnancy, 14 year old me thought it was funny as hell.

[@cheshirerose2001]

So I have actually been watcing more and I still somewhat stand by my comment, I get where some people wouldn't like her character but I also think she's way overhated, I do however think the writers did her character pretty dirty it annoyed me in season 4 that her whole storyline revloved around Craig. I really wish they gave her a depression storyline it would have worked for her character, she did show some symptoms of having depression and I wish they explored it. There was lots of wasted potential with Ashley Also something I wish I mentioned in my original comment was how people hated her for how she treated Terri yes there were times when she was mean to her but she did apologize for some of it and in an episode in season 1 she encouraged Terri to go to the dance and out with Spinner also saw that when Terri was drunk she protected her from getting in trouble with Prinicipal Raditch, she also tried to comfrot her at the end of the episode I feel like people forget this episode a lot not to mention they think Paige was always a good friend to Terri even though she got her drunk out of jealousy. Also side note you can hate Ashley all you want but is it really necessary to insult the actresses appearance?? I have seen people insulting Melissa's appearance because they hate Ashley so much which just shows how far people will take their hate for a fictional character. Melissa is very pretty and has gorgeous eyes, I wanted her eye color for the longest time.

[@NotAVampyre]

Ugh I hate when people in general insult others' appearances. Like, if they are people/characters are so bad, why do you need to bring looks into it?!

[@devonmunn5728]

I do feel that people give Ashley way too much shit. She does do shitty things during her time in the show but other characters have done way worse. She's flawed just like the many other characters in this series

[@katiefedele1813]

Besides doing extasy and cheating on Jimmy, what did she do that was so horrible? Be sad? Say a couple wrong things here and there? At least she wasn't trying to be hurtful, unlike paige. But paige gets a free pass to be mean to people and nobody cares? All the men on this show are given a free pass to cheat, or do drugs, but its only wrong when ashley does it. Despite the fact that Ashley actually learned her lesson and some of these men didn't. We crucify Ashley for "being homophobic" because she was upset that her dad LEFT HER to be with his boyfriend, yet we forgive spinner for full on bullying marco for being gay, we forgive Owen for bullying Riley. We forgive craig for cheating over and over again, spinner, and even drew for cheating for MONTHS, but we can't forgive Ashley for something from years ago that happened once while she was on drugs.

[@devonmunn5728]

@@katiefedele1813 People pointed out her treatment of Terri wasn't great. Plus her removing Jimmy's part from that track. Those are bad and I won't deny but I do agree that she isn't that awful. Other characters are much worse then her and have done worse things

[@katiefedele1813]

@@devonmunn5728 i think she should've released both versions of the song.

[@devonmunn5728]

@@katiefedele1813 In another video someone mentioned that some of the things Ashley has done she never got consequences for but I still do stand by my point. She gets too much hate

[@devonmunn5728]

@@katiefedele1813 She should have but the writers had to contrive some drama to happen

[@ariessun7770]

I related to her character but also she was an asshole like I could never forgive her for talking down her friend and erasing jimmys verse on the song without telling him…she was very self absorbed she never thinks about other peoples feelings ik she was going through a lot but damn

[@ellewinnifred2449]

Nicely done. And I appreciate the small R&H Cinderella clip lol. I love that movie.

[@NotAVampyre]

Yes someone noticed it!!!

[@liumellowyellow666]

Your dvd case subliminally planted the need to go and watch Little Shop of Horrors 😹

[@NotAVampyre]

My job is complete. ^^

[@luketimmel3921]

I love that this topic is still relevant today

[@NotAVampyre]

Ikr. I didn't think an Ashley video would get this much traction.

[@arkilla312]

I gasped at the title LMAO I instantly got so excited watch!

[@NotAVampyre]

I'm glad!

[@AmeliaPlayz]

I think she gets way too much hate from the fandom. I'm rewatching TNG Seasons 1-4 and most of the coments say how much Ashley is annoying or she is being overdramatic. Tbh, she never really bothered me (only when she did drugs and made out with Sean while still in a relationship with Jimmy.) But other than that, she's just okay in my book. Seasons 3 and 4 Emma annoy me more than Ashley has in her whole arc on the show and that is saying a lot.

[@Mariposa-11-2007]

I was a teenager when this show aired. Ashley and Marco were my favorite characters. I found both of them relatable.

[@drethethinker6418]

Yeah, I could never date a girl like Ashley.

[@NotAVampyre]

yeah same

[@shimmershine6902]

I disagree before even watching the video but I’m still here to support lol

[@NotAVampyre]

I'd appreciate it if you'd watch the video before deciding you disagree....

[@shimmershine6902]

NotAVampyre Watching it right now, and you do make excellent points.

[@jfhfhfhhhdjfhf563]

I would have forgiven ashely way back when she took E. She had never done any drug before and E makes u do and say some crazy shit. But I see what your saying with the “she can’t let herself be happy” even hanging out with friends, she’s having a great time and out of nowhere takes E to probably “amplify her time” but ended up making it worse. She was doing it from the very start and it all started with her taking E... so sad

[@MoDOMO93]

Omg I’m Ashley and I legit have to be called out to snap back to life ugh it’s not always about me what?

[@xryxix]

i really enjoy the commentary you make/have on your videos

[@NotAVampyre]

I'm glad!!!

[@kelsey1467]

if there was something i would have liked them to have done with her character maybe it should of given more focus on toby and ashleys relationship especailly becuase their step sibilings but i do feel like sibiling relationships aren't given a lot of focus on this show am i wrong like im asking

[@hostileX7]

Ashley is just totally misunderstood, like all great artists. The worst thing she ever did was cheat on Craig in England and that's like saying the worst thing she ever did was steal a mugger's wallet 😪!

[@NotAVampyre]

Eh I still think removing Jimmy from her track without telling him was low too

[@jakejax8032]

I have tried over and over to appreciate her character but I just can’t bring myself to like Ashley. I was glad they faded her out as the seasons progressed.

[@HenshinHeroesMedia]

Ashley has flaws, but shes fine. Can get she acts like shes self righteous, but that time when she wanted to leave degrassi in s3 and paige is all "get over it", latter has a point but puts all the blame on the former

[@Simone-xj3nu]

You make fun of one Ashley hater and here come all their friends....pack it up Craig stans

[@katiefedele1813]

I love craig but I have to agree with yoy!

[@danklies9606]

i love her sm

[@kalianafloyd5700]

I’m scared that my insecurities and paranoia will run my bf away

[@NotAVampyre]

Do what Ashley didn't and work on yourself. Get help so that insecurity and paranoia don't rule your life

[@maddies2173]

Can we talk about how tf Zoe Rivas became valedictorian

[@Kyy625]

Right like wtf

[@NotAVampyre]

I've heard in some places Valedictorian is more of a popularity contest than based on grades. Then again, Zoe has iededic memory (or something like that) so she could've been great grade wise once she put the work in.

[@davontekh]

Love this Ashley is an interesting character to analyze

[@falloutboy9424]

Wait...this is the same chick who cheated on her BF?? Then outted someone's personal business in front of the world? Then tried to be a victim vs Craig? She is so toxic....

[@cheshirerose2001]

To be fair that was a different situation. She was high off ecstasy (from what I have heard it makes you horny) and had not control over her actions, Craig on the other hand was sober and was doing it for months.

[@teletalk101]

I have never liked Ashley. I think I found her to be too judgemental and she seemed to think she was better than everyone else a lot - just not a character I connected to, but there were moments I empathised with her. I'd like to see you do a similar video on Johnny DiMarco. He has ended up being one of my favourite characters from the show. When he was added to the opening credits, I was so mad and thought it would be impossible for him to have a redemption arc after JT, but after he started dating Ally, I really softened towards him. I think he had some of the most incredible character growth, but very few people talk about him in a positive light.

[@NotAVampyre]

I'll likely talk about Johnny soon, especially as he draws more hate from me than Ashley.

[@lukerosales5879]

I do think Ashley did struggle during her tenure at Degrassi. What I didn't like was how she treated the people around her. From that infamous ecstasy scene - which I can concede was partly Paige's fault - to her blatant mistreatment of Terri, she didn't win any points with anyone. One thing I didn't like was how she viewed her father coming out as a direct attack on her. He tried for Ashley's sake, and while I don't condone the affair, he didn't want to string his ex-wife in a loveless marriage or colour Ashley's views on men - much less that of queer men.

[@katiefedele1813]

It wasn't that he was gay. It was that he left the family. Anybody would be hurt by that.

[@NotAVampyre]

I do honestly think part of it was that he's gay. At least at the time she didn't know how to deal with it because it was affecting her personally. It's unfortunately an aspect of how gay people were viewed at the time

[@katiefedele1813]

@@NotAVampyre if we can forgive spinner we can forgive ashley! And having a parent come out as gay is a lot more shocking than having a friend come out. Especially when that parent left you for the boyfriend.

[@vampirasilents2021]

For a stereotypical goth I really Liked Ashley ,even her more preppy side too I liked how she was just very immature not really a bad person she acted how any teen that finds out there not perfect would act it felt more real . I thought it was cool how they at least tried to show alternative teens a bit more positive . I always enjoyed that cus often people in the subculture are treated as evil or just mega mean . Being a classic rocker on the metal /goth /post punk side that's one thing about degrassi I always liked how they show all different kinds of teens .

[@alexhans448]

Ashley was alright until she played Jimmy in season 6 or 7 by taking him out of the track and sending it out. That’s really when I stopped caring for her as a character. Also love that Jimmy ran over her foot with his wheelchair lol

[@NotAVampyre]

tbf he hasn't been an angel to her either. think back in season 2 when he tried to make her stop being goth and go back to who she was in season 1 because he liked that Ashley more.

[@alexhans448]

NotAVampyre that’s true, but back in season 2 they were like 13-14? And by season 7 they were 18, so you’d expect something as childish as taking your bf off your demo would be a thing a young adult wouldn’t do

[@NotAVampyre]

You'd think, but it's something plenty 17/18 year olds would do. Most people aren't mature by the end of high school. Hell, most aren't mature by 30. It's still a bad thing to do, but it's not unrealistic for someone her age.

[@Miisglamorus]

Jimmy didn't try to change Ashley though. She made him tell her which look he preferred and he told the truth. She then took it upon herself to revert back to her old look to please him, and then resented him for it when he didn't ask her to. He loved her regardless. The goth look wasn't even true to who she was. She came into that look when becoming friends with Ellie. I didn't dislike Ashley but she struggled finding who she was and was often seemingly depressed and discontent because of that. But that's not a bad thing because she was young. But I do believe most of the issues between her and Jimmy was because of her. It was clear she needed to discover herself first before being with anyone else.

[@ynfwill7600]

I’m on s3 and so far I hate Ashley, my opinion may change but right now she’s over dramatic and done stupid stuff, but she’s like 15 at the time I’m watching so I’m not gonna hold her up for that too much

[@AYYOluvable]

I never liked Ashley because she had to have everything her way and they didn't do that she was quick to call them dumb, insensitive or uncultured. I think she was the only character not to really grow emotionally like the others. Also I will never forgive her for outing Craig's and Manny's pregnancy, that was so low no matter how much you're hurt.

[@TheGreatLegend007]

Lol you’er funny keep up the good work

[@NotAVampyre]

thanks?

[@raqueos81]

I actually don’t mind her she’s not my favorite but she’s not my least favorite, now that I think of it I don’t have a least favorite character

[@NotAVampyre]

So glad I'm not the only one without a least favourite!

[@kornette87]

i like her

[@FunPotato13]

I liked her in season 4

[@Chickenpesto2468]

She’s not my least fave character but she’s terrible human the worst person on the show is probably jay and peter

[@NotAVampyre]

Terrible human?

[@Chickenpesto2468]

@@NotAVampyre she’s bad person I should say but yes

[@cheshirerose2001]

I would say Dean, Luke, Drake, Vince and Darcy's Rapist are the worst people (granted those are obvious choices)

[@elliesanders5525]

I hate myself for this but I rarely speak about Ashley because she's the one I identify with the most. I know that makes me an absolute pretentious b**** but well what are you going to do. I guess sometimes you just have to accept who you

[@NotAVampyre]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who identifies with Ashley on some level lol

[@chillindj_]

is there a chance we can talk about Katie? season 11 was a lot of hate she got in the comments. I want to know what u think of her and her story line and how it change her

[@NotAVampyre]

I actually made a brief video about her here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gH2zcoagn5h6bMU Won't be the last time I say something about her, but currently I don't have anything in the pipeline about her

[@niellahell]

ashley good character

[@taraellen9735]

Her and Jimmy should have been end game ;(

[@NotAVampyre]

I can understand why they weren't. She was pretty nasty to him in the end

[@taraellen9735]

@@NotAVampyre I hated that storyline :(

[@NotAVampyre]

I liked how it played into her running insecurity, but was sad that she did that to Jimmy

[@ChristineTheHippie]

@Kimberly Tini Noble Craig needs to learn to treat girls in properly before he and anyone can be endgame. And Ashley was emotionally drained by his drama by the end of season four.

[@Las645]

I’m sorry but Ashley treated jimmy like garbage and jimmy was my fav character soooo no

[@NotAVampyre]

I mean, they both didn't treat each other well at different times. Recall when Jimmy was trying to change Ashley in season 2 to look and act more like she did in season 1.

[@kd8663]

Ashley is a bad person, but a great character. A lot of people hate her, justifiably, because she has character flaws that are as frustrating as they are consistent. But I think all the hate is a testament to how well written she is. She's fascinatingly realistic.

[@NotAVampyre]

She is so realistic I know people like her. It's like, I appreciate what she means for the show, but she can be the worst!

[@kelsey1467]

i kind of found terri and ashleys friendship not toxic but questionable especially when she says she wouldn't take dating advice from teri because shes never had a boyfriend hey just because thats true doesn't mean its wrong that being said i felt like teri was her closest friend were you upset when she left after season 4 or did you expect it

[@NotAVampyre]

Yeah, Ashley could be very insensitive to other people alot

[@kelsey1467]

@@NotAVampyre i will say this though i didn't like that all her friends turned on her after taking the estacay you know she didn't mean what she was saying i don't know if i should blame paige a little bit for encouraging her to take it in a way

[@NotAVampyre]

Other than Paige, I feel like her other friends had good reason to be mad. She outright insulted Terri while sober and led Jimmy on while not intending to get back with him.

[@LeeLee19901]

I hated Ashley when she went off on jimmy at the party. Felt very bad for him.

[@aliensfoundmycameras5998]

do you think ashely had BPD?

[@NotAVampyre]

No, she doesn't fit at all.

[@cheshirerose2001]

@@NotAVampyre What about Major Depressive Disorder?

[@NotAVampyre]

A possibility, but I wouldn't say conclusive

[@katiefedele1813]

@@cheshirerose2001 I think she was very depressed and needed antibiotics depressants. Which is why it was irritating when she was so condescending about craig taking bipolar meds. At least he's taking his necessary meds.

[@cheshirerose2001]

@@katiefedele1813 Agree I feel like she should have had a depression storyline and see how events in her life impacted her Like how she always felt seconded to her ex's in terms of music (her passion) and other stuff. She was underwritten by season 4

[@Sailor_Universe]

I have a love hate relationship with Ashley. I didn't even want to click on this video at first. Her flaws definitely stick out, especially when it comes to her romantic relationships. On the one hand she's vain, on the other hand I love her music. I don't like how she put down Terry for being single or set Liberty up for humiliation. I do love how she helped Paige when she found out she was sexually assaulted. They weren't even friends at that point, but Ashley set that aside to comfort her and encourage her to talk to someone about it. She's a very flawed character, but she's also had some awesome moments.

[@NotAVampyre]

Yeah, her treatment of Terri early on really bugged me too. It's like, I don't even know if she meant the things she said to come out the way they did or if she's just careless. Honestly, I can see either, and that doesn't say much about her as a person.

[@danklies9606]

i love her she is my blorbo

[@haylagamer892]

emma and mani are my fav

[@kirababy35]

I liked Ashley alright but only when she was with Jimmy I definitely think they should have needed up together but no that couldn't just happen

[@nakymsingh2428]

hi notAvamper can you please talk about riley

[@nabilsalazar4596]

You should do mia jones

[@ppp3867]

Idk why shes just not likeable. I thought she was a saint for helping craig thru his bipolar after he totally embarrassed her infront of her family and ruined her dads wedding AND the fact that she even took him back in the first place after he cheated on her and got someone else pregnant. I think ash has low self worth and always goes back to people that aren't right for her. She wants to be more mature than everyone else which is ok just don't expect everyone else to be mature. She never knew how to have fun which is also ok just don't stop others from having fun. She was literally a fun vampire that sucked the life and joy out of everything and everyone around her which is why I think everyone hates her so much. I don't think shes a bsd person at heart but what she did to Jimmys rap was ABSOLUTELY scummy. Taking away an opportunity from a black canadian DISABLED man because you want the spotlight? LOW SHIT. shes definitely not as bad as Peter Stone but shes no saint either.

[@katiefedele1813]

I think people think ashely is dumb for staying with craig. I personally found it annoying that she just refused to leave him after he cheated, caused a scene at her dad's wedding and BEAT UP JOEY!! I think people think of Ashley as weak with no self respect and I totally get that. But it's also hard to leave a relationship when you love someone, so I get that too. I don't like how people dismissed her feelings when it came to craig cheated. She's allowed to be sad about it. That combined with her depression, (though not diagnosed). Like yes, there are bigger problems out there, it's not the worst thing in the world that could happen, but it is still terrible and heartbreaking. The way the entire friend group called her "bitter" was totally unfair. As for the rap, there was a very simple solution. She could've released both versions of the song. That way she could have her own version, and then they could have a version together.

[@princess1peach]

I still don't like her

[@NotAVampyre]

that's fine

[@frankseward7017]

Could you do Becky Baker and her growth. She really impressed.

[@NotAVampyre]

I might at some point. It's kinda amazing that I haven't talked about her yet

[@jjjjj4787]

You need to look In the camera honey

[@NotAVampyre]

Please don't call me honey. When I'm not looking at the camera, I'm reading my script. I admit I still don't have it 100% but I'm still playing with placement of my script amd camera so that it looks like I'm always looking at the camera.