Daily Inspiration: Meet Ashley Hopgood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Hopgood.

Hi Ashley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
It all starts with a six-year-old girl. Who loves bright colors, music, laughing and her own jokes and being weird. I know it doesn’t sound tooooo interesting, but it did shape my dream quite a bit. My dream of living where there were so many palm trees and so many misfits like me. A place where people don’t care about the crazy clothes you wear and kinda like the same music I do. What a place: Los Angeles. I took piano lessons from age 4-16. And as with every other teenage girl, I loved my fashion and teen magazines. It wasn’t just the clothes and of course, boys that were so interesting at that time. It’s where a lot of their photos were taken….for me it was. Los Angeles appeared to be a place where misfits and dreamers could go. To build, to dream, to find others like ourselves. To succeed.

The palm tree sunsets and mountainous views are sure a far cry from the flat terrains I was used to. Born and raised in a small midwestern town out in the country, I found myself setting an infinite goal of moving to LA and being a model, actress, and musician.

With this goal in mind, I didn’t get discouraged while I worked my fast food and retail jobs. I took pride and speaking of the things that interested me. Although I kept a low profile at work, my coworkers grew to know me as ‘Ashley who goes to auditions.’ When I broke the news to them I was making the leap to Los Angeles, they offered their encouragement.

Although I’m not your typical view of a runway model (I’m a towering 5ft. 2ins. tall), it didn’t stop my modeling career from taking off. Although I initially saw myself as an actress and musician, I now see myself in some ways in a different light. Modeling in its own way has been an interesting career that chose me. In acting I create characters. In music I create sounds. In modeling, I create shapes. In all 3, I’m excited I get to create stories.

Throughout my life journey, I’ve experienced rejection and bullying in regard to my appearance that had me question at times whether or not I would ever be given the amazing privilege of truly living my best life and truly finding happiness. The great news is: this actually made my dreams more fathomable. After having moved to Los Angeles, I began to realize that my appearance was truly unique to many and intriguing to some. My interest in bright colors and bold patterns found its niche in a world I was truly shaping and hadn’t realized it until my arrival. No, I’m not changin’! (*I said that out loud with a midwestern accent*). I’m still the weirdo you’ll find laughing at her own jokes. Only now, I get to share memories with more people like myself; people who love creating. People who love laughter and I suppose, people who love magic. Whatever that may be.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
By nature, I’m a shy, quirky person. So moving to such a big place compared to the smaller, midwestern town Im from made it very difficult to adjust at the beginning.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an actress, model and musician. I trained with a modeling/acting school back in the Midwest since I was 15 years old. I’m known mainly for my quirky personality with bright colors and bold patterns. I’m not a plain Jane! (No offense to Jane). I’m not afraid to be weird because I am weird. I’m not afraid to be stared at like I’m crazy because I am crazy (*in a good way*). I’ve always been different with the way I speak, dress, and conduct myself. I’ve never fit in a box. They’re either too big or waaaaay too small.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I see myself staying the same weird midwestern girl but continuing to shape fashion with that and use the wealth I build with it to continue creating with some amazing creatives; but using those resources to give back to my community and strive to continue making fashion not just a ‘trend’ but an actual ‘community, (i.e. through philanthropy: feeding people, pushing resources regarding housing situations for homeless people, etc.)…

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Frenchie_Dutchey

Image Credits
Photographer: Christina Zimmerman Instagram: @z.photography_la Photography/Videography: James Bailey Instagram: @luxemediahouse