Simone Ashley on Being Cast in Bridgerton, Going to the Vanity Fair Oscars Party & Giving Tattoos

[@beew584]

As a Black woman, it makes me happy to see a brown skinned Indian woman take off this way in the mainstream. Excellent casting and inclusivity in the writing room on that show and it’s about time. She’s lovely and so were the rest of the cast this season.

[@_rhea.b_1305]

Firstly, she’s not Indian, she’s English. Secondly, her parents are from Sri Lanka.

[@Selinnaguz]

@@_rhea.b_1305 Firstly she is Indian, her nationality is British. Secondly her parents are from India. She is a beautiful Indian woman!

[@Selinnaguz]

THANK YOU! Sending love from India♥️

[@_rhea.b_1305]

@@Selinnaguz Lol no. As I said, she’s not Indian, she’s English. She’s a beautiful English woman. But you are correct, her parents are Indian.

[@Someone-gy4xl]

@@_rhea.b_1305 she’s Indian get over it lol

[@nusuchou]

She is the definition of the word "lovely"

[@mist383]

And the word "beauty" as well.

[@qg8253]

Lol, I literally just said "She is lovely".

[@Zeegoku1007]

@@qg8253 like when you were reading the comment ?

[@qg8253]

@@Zeegoku1007 no, just when I exclaimed it, this was the next comment I read lol.

[@Nehmi]

I was literally going to write that!!!

[@flyerton1062]

I always pictured her as a Disney Princess and now she's gonna be in little mermaid live action! Can't wait to see what she plays and her performance in Bridgerton is unreal!!!

[@angelicaterry3367]

wow like halle wasn't enough, some white people must have lost their minds when they found out lmfao

[@flyerton1062]

@Stella Kira yes!

[@vortiz3351]

She is? Nice! What role?

[@blainevanity6]

@@vortiz3351 It's not revealed yet but she was on the Little Mermaid set the day she found out she was cast as Kate!!

[@vortiz3351]

@@blainevanity6 cool! That’s awesome!

[@catmiuuu]

Her skin color is literally stunning, she’s GLOWING!! I can’t believe her beauty I think she’s one of the prettiest girls I ever seen

[@jasondawson92]

Yea she is like a chocolate princess I love it 🥰

[@amateurmeteorologist7365]

She is so darned beautiful. There were a few times during Bridgerton she legitimately looked like a real life Disney princess with those eyes and radiant skin

[@pipipupu5104]

@@amateurmeteorologist7365 wtf really I mean these types of girls are not even looked at in India I don't know why

[@jessmagoa]

It’s so problematic to talk about her skin color like that

[@pipipupu5104]

@@jessmagoa why

[@brooklyncurrys]

She is stunning, so radiant and full of energy. Her and Jonathan are incredible chemistry wise. Season 2 is by far my favorite, their relationship in the show is one for the books for me. And as a woman of color who loves period peices, we finally have some representation for minorities when it comes to female leads, she was perfect and so was season 2. we finally a character in these sort of stories that women who aren’t white can relate to. We can ALL have our Darcy 😊

[@pownbnull]

Just not sure why she doesn't go by her Indian name Ashwini instead of anglisizing it to Ashley...🙄

[@alicegoldenvalley]

Agreed on everything ! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😃☺️

[@jenstraightup]

@@pownbnull Many people change their name to be more accepting. Maybe once she becomes more recognized she will change it back. But I get your point

[@anjirichards8377]

Agree on everything you’ve said. Some people don’t get or want the representation for minorities in these sorts of roles. I’m all for it.

[@REDnBLACKnRED]

@@pownbnull It's show business, it's just easier to have a name that a majority of her audiences can pronounce and remember. Perhaps one day it will become common to have non-western names in Hollywood, but for now, a majority of the asians in the industry do it. She has a career to think of, not just representation.

[@marshmart965]

At this point, I do hope Shondaland writers team and producers will have Simone Ashley and Jonathan Bailey on every single seasons of Bridgerton (season 3 and the rest) because their chemistry is off chart...really. The strong character of Kate Sharma can be presented by Simone perfectly and she's really needed to stand by Anthony as the man of the Bridgerton house, to give opinions in every decisions he makes, esp for their siblings' weddings.

[@sakpase3176]

I hope so too especially because in this season they have given too much space to secondary characters or in any case to characters who are the main charter on the next books and therefore most likely will have a season dedicated entirely to them, we deserved at least the honeymoon of Anthony & Kate or just more screen time of them where they note only hate each other

[@rosimeiretenorio9202]

Por favor, queremos eles em todas as temporadas 👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@jessicaz7299]

I agree! I think Shondaland would want them back for every season especially Anthony since he is a Bridgerton but it really depends on the actress/actor's schedules. I hope Ashley can be on s3 but I don't think her character is necessary for the rest of the other seasons bc she is not mentioned in the other books.

[@sujagrg7173]

@@sakpase3176 I pop mom mom m momo

[@sujagrg7173]

@@sakpase3176 Nono po

[@c0ronariu5]

The hotel room thing is so sweet. How cute of the staff to do that for her.

[@kylaarmstrong-benjamin8066]

That was really awesome! Way to make her feel special!!!❤

[@Twoshotsofespressi]

She even posted the view on her insta so sweet!

[@girlbot1207]

I love her excitement and gratitude! She's so relatable.

[@mouse1574]

You could tell she was really nervous but she didn't have to be cos she's awesome

[@faerydefault]

I love how giddy and bubbly she is. It’s hard watching actors lose their passion for roles. Props to the casting team.

[@jasondawson92]

She is sooo stunning she looks like a chocolate Egyptian princess

[@faerydefault]

@@jasondawson92 egyptian ?? She’s indian

[@mldy9229]

I hope Jonathan also gets the recognition he deserves, he was amazing this season

[@raunanghidipaa3380]

He's doing a play right that's running until June, so he doesn't really have time for press, which is a bummer. They killed this season.

[@lalitharavindran]

Yes! He has more than earned it. He is such a seasoned actor.

[@annarose6932]

His acting is marvelous.. that face expression, body language and his eyes.. wow

[@radfem28]

The both deserves nominations

[@marshmart965]

As he did on Broadchurch...that's my first series watching Jonathan's acting. I knew he has 'it'. The emotion, the acting, he's versatile. Two months later, after the premiere of Bridgerton, I clicked the title on Netflix...voila, it's my second chance to watch him again. :)

[@amalilconfused]

First time knowing about Simone Ashley and she definitely did not disappoint as kate! And her chemistry with Jonathan Bailey was so perfect! I hope they get casted in a musical together.

[@ilahildasissac1943]

I have never seen the show, but plan to.

[@not_now1820]

I can't began to tell how happy and included I feel seeing a dark skinned women being choosen as the lead of the show. Man! The world is really changing. Seeing her just makes me feel soo confident about myself.

[@radfem28]

She's so stunning

[@mahistyle6046]

She is so beautiful ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@graciousgrace7509]

You don't need someone else to make you feel confident about yourself

[@frankheathersu9790]

@@graciousgrace7509 it’s about representation. When you grow up as a poc and see only white people espicially girls on mainstream media it will cause you some issues.

[@samarhasan3907]

@@graciousgrace7509 representation matters specially for kids.

[@thomasthomasphilp4393]

Indian film industry especially Bollywood should see this. In Bollywood, you rarely an Indian woman with a dark skin tone as a main character. Colorism is still a big issue in former European colonies.

[@deirdrepinn]

she dark enough to pass for black but light enough to be see as beautiful..... Colourism at its finest in America... not to dark plz!

[@amani510]

@@deirdrepinn she is not light she is very dark and beautiful and I appreciate that they saw her beauty and made her the main character. Unfortunately you can’t say the same about Bollywood or even any other Asian countries they are all obsessed with fair skin.

[@duff3879kazak]

@@amani510 Indian film industry will cast the whitest British woman in the lead role of a south Asian woman but cannot be sure they would ever cast her in the same role. Color discrimination is real in Indian film industry and I always wonder how many talented people were rejected because of their skin color. It’s sad.

[@amani510]

@@duff3879kazak the saddest part is They are doing this to their own people 😞

[@duff3879kazak]

@@amani510 and for me that translates to “we are doing it to our own people”.😔

[@achu1897]

I absolutely adore her. She’s stunning & does Kate justice.

[@Ferrari00__]

Ur cute! 😍

[@bilingualfluencywithmjruiz903]

She's so charming can't wait to see more of her.

[@octozel]

Loved this season more than the last. Her and Jonathan are brilliant actors

[@ShaynaSKZ_685]

Agreed.

[@sueedaaydin]

Saaaame 🥰🥰🥰

[@valentinabubnova9362]

100%

[@liezelvs]

Totally

[@duff3879kazak]

There were chemical reactions spewing out of those two in some scenes, the kinda on screen couple we all wish would end up together in real life too (but not gonna happen)

[@shashajohari4027]

She looks absolutely phenomenal and stunning I literally have the biggest crush on her!! Glad that she’s getting the recognition she deserves

[@erikavargas5969]

She has so much charm!! I adored her, her sense of humor and just how humble she is. Very talented actress and I can’t wait to see more of her!

[@PHlophe]

The person that casted her has razor sharp eye for talent. Pero Qué linda mujer !

[@CaribbeanSpyce]

Every time I see her doing interviews I feel to cry because she represents so much of me 😭🖤 Im only half Indian but brown skin, desi girls win with this ✨

[@calikeisha365]

I’m happy for you. It’s too bad she wouldn’t be hired in Bollywood films. She’s gorg!

[@babysparks05]

SAME! Im half indian and grew up in CA in a majority whity city and seeing her so popular and kathony so popular makes me so happy

[@dodgingdurangos924]

Thank you for confirming my assumption. I thought she was Indian, but her last name Ashley threw me off, so I thought she may be mixed white/black. Another reason was because there's an MSNBC reporter who I thought looks 100% Indian, but she turned out to be half-white half-black with darker skin like Simone's.

[@Jita-or5du]

@@dodgingdurangos924 she is indeed british indian actress,her real name is Simone Ashwini Pillai

[@dodgingdurangos924]

@@Jita-or5du thanks. btw I meant, her ethnicity, not citizenship. So, what was the reason why she went with a "last" name that sounds/is Western? What's wrong with her ethnic name? Does she not like it or the sound of it?

[@noimkillingboys6298]

i literally gasped when she walked out omg she's so beautiful

[@Chuuzus]

i am so happy Simone Ashley is finally getting the recognition she deserves! she was so good in se* education and she is exceptional in bridgerton

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

There’s some women who are full of grace and smiles. She’s one of them. No idea what they talked about I just enjoyed the smiles.

[@signalfire15]

That was really sweet of the hotel staff to give her that nod of recognition. It’s a subtle way of acknowledging her without having to be invasive. Very cute!

[@VictoriaHatzson]

You can tell that she’s new in all of this… she’s so sweet, raw and honest but in such a non-stylised way

[@jasondawson92]

She reminds me of that r&b singer Karyn White from the 80s

[@valley-girl]

Yeah! She isn't...pretending...no fakery

[@jaydope1153]

She's so gorgeous, no one could've played a better Kate than Simone Ashley 💞

[@rodaxel7165]

I don't even watch Bridgerton but she's so gorgeous.

[@Roy-G-Biv]

It’s good, try it!

[@faridahoyelude4120]

U shld Watch it !

[@jigmelhamo7841]

To echo the other comments, watch itttt!

[@xylypotatohead3947]

The second season is better than the first. It's a bit cheesy but still entertaining

[@hannahmamedova2736]

@@xylypotatohead3947 but I think the 1st season is better. The second season is very different from the book. Anthony’s story in the book is much more interesting than in the Netflix version. But of course that’s my opinion.

[@kissvera6386]

Literally every part of her is perfect, her hair, her skin, her glowing aura, her smile, her everything!!!

[@infj-tin2930]

She's grogeous and so talented. I hope she gets more roles in the future.

[@kie4661]

Same , I’m also an infj btw 😂😭

[@amani510]

One thing that I really appreciate about this new era is at least everyone is getting represented and beauty in it’s all forms is getting celebrated, sometimes people underestimate the power of media and television.

[@trinidiana]

I was thinking the same thing just yesterday

[@hafsa19420]

she is beautiful and talented and omg she knew she was gonna be big when she packed her bags and left .... wow !

[@Suzy.E123]

She’s so beautiful and well spoken, literally the definition of a princess!

[@mithakarai]

She's a great actress, and she's so lovely and humble, too! Love her on Bridgerton! It's cute that she seems quite nervous here... 😄

[@yh9728]

Can’t get over how gorgeous she is😍😍😍 She played Kate so perfectly! Already on my 2nd rewatch, so obsessed!🥰

[@skynet40433]

What an effervescent, gem of a person. The pressure of stepping into a lead role of a beloved show must have been a huge undertaking and she is crushing it. That takes one incredible woman to do that... just amazing.

[@naruharu00]

SEASON 2 WAS AN IMMEDIATE FAVE. Omg. The chemistry the two leads had !!!

[@daydreamerwanderer]

SHE IS SO CUTE I love how nervous she is

[@kimsmith723]

I could watch Bridgerton every day. Love this show and the postive messages it sends in a world gone mad.

[@catem8752]

She is breathtaking! her charm, her dark hair and brown complexion are absolutely beautiful!

[@deirdrepinn]

Hillarious imagine that beauty in a darker form.

[@SingSingSING94]

Not only is she an incredible actress she is one of the most striking people I've ever seen! wow!! love her and can't wait to see what else she is in!

[@SteelTreeGone]

she’s a beauitful looking women, and I wish her all the best in this movie She’s a great actress

[@cheryllim3272]

She is so besutiful!! So glad they cast her and their chemistry is just perfect for one another!!

[@chiedu90069]

So loved her in Bridgerton, but she’s even more charming and fabulous in real life! Congratulations Simone Ashley!

[@anas.6337]

She is stunning, I love her energy and she seems to be very humble.

[@coffeetea8577]

She IS Kate. Composed, witty, and stunningly BEAUTIFUL. ❤️❤️❤️😍😍😍❤️. She completely owned the role, absolutely loved her performance!

[@tee_1843]

She’s absolutely stunning. Such classical beauty. the host almost seemed nervous himself 😂

[@KCNwokoye]

Brilliant, gorgeous, talented, charming and thoughtful. Love her humility and sense of humour.

[@Krishna-rj6di]

Gosh she's not only beautiful she's also intelligent. So well spoken

[@kailyyn6909]

I love her energy, she seems so nice and funny!

[@sassytown]

I really like her

[@DayOneAdeleFans]

She is lovely. The entire cast is just phenomenal, love the show so much!

[@marthawoodworth]

She's such a unique beauty. I imagine that fame will be exciting - and challenging - because I don't think she will be able to disguise herself in public, for privacy. She's definitely on speed dial to superstar!

[@alis2471]

She is a delight. Her role as Kate was so amazing, I watched the whole season in one sitting, amazing performances!

[@naanthewiser]

Simone is stunning, it's amazing seeing her pop up in all these videos and getting all the love she deserves! The hotel staff moving her room to face the Bridgerton billboard is the sweetest. Loved her as Kate and hoping we see more of her on our screens!

[@davidasky7438]

Love her she is a refreshing personality to watch!

[@blainevanity6]

She is absolutely gorgeous 😍😍😍 Her chemistry with Jonathan Bailey was perfection!!! 💜💜💜

[@EM-cs7jw]

I hope her career blows up after Bridgerton, she was awesome as Kate

[@joelistovar8397]

I love how she looks a little bit nervous throughout the whole interview, like she can't even believe all the recognition she is having

[@yankswoopwoop]

im on my third watch of bridgerton season two and i am a grade A Kanthony stan. love Simone sm and her and Jonathan have the greatest chemistry both as Kanthony and as friends off-screen! i can't stop watching interviews of them - either together, or separately - because they are both such lovely people!

[@dominiqueharris4154]

I love how nervous she is 😂😂😂 and how the interview somehow jumped to tattooos 😂😂😂 I’m weak 😂😂

[@Angela-qi9yx]

She's soo sweet I was smiling during all the interview! Her energy is everything! Oh and the tattoo: I love it

[@melodyal3357]

She is phenomenal, so sweet and absolutely gorgeous!! So happy to see beautiful talented indian woman giving big role, bravooo👏👏👏 And yes I am absolutely in love with Kanthony❣️🌟☺️

[@AnetIsOnYoutube]

If I ever had a girl crush, it is now. Simone is beyond gorgeous and such a lovely personality 🥰

[@len1061]

She's so beautiful. She really is the embodiment of Kate. Hope to see more of her projects soon!

[@sandysutube63]

She is gorgeous and did such a awesome job on Bridgerton!♥️♥️

[@mirani4328]

the way she's nervous is so cuteeeeee

[@Masechaba]

She's so so beautiful and just seems like a genuinely nice person.

[@lusiatriah.hutami3499]

She is adorable, glowing, shining, really sweet, her beauty is...radiant. I just speechless...

[@Parisallday1000]

Yes, Simone is lovely! First saw her on “Sex Education” tbh and now, I wanna see more of her on-screen! I wish her further success! ❤

[@lilypoon1175]

She is so beautiful. Her skintone is gorgeous.

[@queenratv115]

Flawless beauty

[@BoomsRiddico4868]

her hair and that skin! Oh my!

[@BoomsRiddico4868]

sorry if that sounded weird. She just looks lovely

[@demonslayer-ds9vo]

@@BoomsRiddico4868 I get what your saying she has some clean skin and shiny hair lol.

[@jermainamburayan580]

Simone has great talent and she has an very pleasant personality. very friendly and humble and engaging person. You can see why Anthony and she as Kate hit it off immediately. Jonathan did not do anymore screen tests with other women after Simone. They have that off the charts chemistry on and off screen. I must say that being an Indian myself , I am so grateful that her conservative parents gave her blessing to follow her dreams.

[@erin7310]

She’s so beautiful and she absolutely killed it this season! ❤️

[@mirydiaz]

so happy she's getting the recognition she deserves ♡

[@AnaBeatriz-fc4cx]

she’s so beautiful and she portrayed Kate Sharma so good 🥺💖 all the love to Simone Ashley!

[@Roy-G-Biv]

Take a moment and just picture her character and the Duke together! They literally would have sparked a fire on the tv. The Duke is missed this season, still good though! She is delightful!

[@stephanieramadhar9585]

I was thinking that they would've been HOTT lol

[@Roy-G-Biv]

@@stephanieramadhar9585 so very hot!!!!!!!!!!!

[@suhanisrivastava6243]

Yes i did..and they were totally at another level😍😍😍🥵🥵

[@Roy-G-Biv]

@@suhanisrivastava6243 good for you!

[@esterdelgado482]

loved her performance in bridgerton so much! so beautiful!!!

[@MLSoll]

She was amazing as Kate and the chemistry with Jonathan Bailey was out of this world 🙌

[@talk2minie]

💯

[@Wincingatwindmills]

She’s so personable and bubbly, huge fan!!

[@bellarosa009]

She’s stunning! When they do the closeups of her in the series, she’s glowing - her eyes and skin!

[@user-fw1hj3vv2k]

Their writings is so good to include black and brown people as main characters in a period drama set up in England. Because though you know it could not have been possible in elite white English society in that time, you put that thought aside and enjoy the show. These characters get merged so easily and naturally in the show . Kudos to the writers and actors.

[@conservativedestroyer4056]

@@hi-ve1cw how do we know they were not? We don’t know what white people decided to leave out of history so just sit back and enjoy the show. You are living off the aggressions of white Europeans you don’t know. Let’s live in 2023

[@zarinatolagayeva7103]

She revealed more interesting things that most celebs on those shows

[@tanja2205]

I hope that she stays so humble and lovely as she is now.

[@helenecatherine6981]

She seems genuinely soooo friendly and easy to talk to ! Love her energy 🥰 (although I think she was probably a bit anxious which… would wouldn’t be 😅)

[@heartsallover]

I LOVE SIMONE ASHLEY. SHE'S SO CHARMING, INTELLIGENT, ELOQUENT, FUNNY, GOOFY, BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT. I'M SO EXCITED TO SUPPORT ANYTHING SHE DOES!!!!!

[@Yaylpk2]

First time I’ve ever watched her in anything and she is stunning. Now I’m a big fan and I just love her. Can’t wait to watch her in future seasons of Bridgerton and many more other projects.

[@fahimirfanalam3369]

Such an authentic young lady. May she shine more.

[@armandoucles5346]

I love Simone!!! She's so beautiful and talented. Loved her in Bridgerton 2.

[@kaitaros_]

she’s so articulate and well spoken and so dreamy OMG!!! 🥺🥺🥺🥺

[@anandhipalaniappan6090]

She is of Indian origin and her parents are from Southern part of India Tamil Nadu state… being a girl from the same place, I feel very happy how everyone openly admires her… girls from my place are dark skinned but our features are very defined and beautiful like hers… I watched bridgerton especially for her…

[@Kap3lka]

Dark skin is beautiful by itself. You don't have to ad the "but"

[@anandhipalaniappan6090]

@@Kap3lka I know it is beautiful…we are looked down upon for so long even put down by our own parents and society and people from other parts of India…they say this dress color doesn’t suit your skin color and being called names…and in my childhood I thought I needed to be fair to be beautiful…i don’t worry anymore after I grew up… they portray only so called fair or wheat skinned girls in our own film industry.. colorism is deeply rooted in India and it is very toxic…we have to be in that place to know that…it is very sad that I have to look up to Hollywood for seeing a woman like me…

[@Kap3lka]

@@anandhipalaniappan6090 I understand.

[@blackqueen164]

You are beautiful! Never lighten your skin to be accepted! The problem lies with the ones who don’t believe you are acceptable.💃🏾❤️

[@duff3879kazak]

The season 2 of Bridgerton belonged to two stunning women of South Indian Tamil origin

[@darrenfernandes1537]

wow she is such a humble pleasant happy soul

[@thunderousapplause]

stunning. Truly a rare beauty. I don’t want season 2 to end and I thought I wasn’t going to watch it at all. PS Eloise is my favorite character. She’s hilarious.

[@KMCB12]

She is so precious - just too cute for words

[@tori2040]

She's beautiful and her skin is just gorgeous

[@3ll3ayy]

She radiates so much positivity love her

[@annarose6932]

The series i kept on replaying over and over again her scenes and anthony! Oh mh their chemistry is intense!!!!!!!!!!!

[@pookyparis8446]

There are so many interviews of her... a rising star and she deserves it!

[@Msswe888]

She is so genuine and real ! Sweet 😊

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Simone Ashley deserves the world! She’s awesome 👏🏽

[@lennysvibe]

She is soooooooooooo beautiful...I loved her in Bridgerton...I don't think I could of saw anyone else in the role...Iconic! It was a star making role and she was stunning in the role...Congrads!

[@thesalymp3240]

She's so humble and real and lovely, and very different from her Bridgerton character, wow- good actress.

[@Melanie-pn8re]

She’s glowing 😍❤️‍🔥