Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashlee Juergens.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Born in Melbourne, Australia and named after the actress Ashley Judd, it’s clear my passion began from the moment my name was announced.
However, I grew up in Sydney and it wasn’t until my mentor Erana Clark wrote a role for me in her Pilot, at the age of 12, that I actually began acting. This role was about a daughter struggling to deal with her family falling apart and experiencing the destruction of these relationships. It was here where I fell in love with the craft.
Since then, I have worked in LA multiple times. On my most recent trip to LA in 2022, I played a significant role in the international premiere of the Australian play “Dead Skin” at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. I also attended the screening of the US feature film “Children of The Corn”, which I worked on in Australia in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I would not be where I am today without the support of my family, friends, and mentors along the way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been smooth, but I believe nothing worth fighting for ever comes easy. No matter what industry you are in, we are all faced with challenges. That’s life. Without challenge, there is no growth.
I’m confident in my hard work, ability, and passion to pull me through all the obstacles that come my way.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The complexities and nuances of human beings is why I love creating characters. Understanding why characters do what they do is what I am passionate about and why I love to act. I want to tell stories from an honest and vulnerable place to give audience members the permission to be their raw, messy selves too.
I worked on the psychological thriller series “The Secrets She Keeps”, which had some very confronting elements to it. It was challenging, and it taught me the importance of vulnerability as an actor. I am proud of how I brought her story to life.
In 2020, I played the role of Carly in the US feature film “Children of The Corn” produced by Lucas Foster and directed and written by Kurt Wimmer. It was released in US cinemas in March 2023 and is now available on AMC network’s horror streaming service Shudder, as well as Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
The play “Dead Skin”, won Hollywood Fringe ENCORE PRODUCERS AWARD and was nominated for Best International Play and Best Drama. My character Maggie (a teenager grappling with identity) used comedy as a defense mechanism to avoid her deeper emotions. She was extremely interesting to analyze and work on and definitely put me out of my comfort zone.
I played Hattie Rodgers, one of the main supporting characters, in the film “Starry Eyed” and won ‘Best Supporting Actress’ at the American Arts Film and Television Academy Festival in 2022.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I believe a good work ethic is a necessity. And honestly, as a creative I believe through all the struggles as long as you have your extreme desire and passion for the craft, you can always do what you love!
Contact Info:
- Website: imdb.me/ashleejuergens
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ashleejuergens?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
Image Credits
Headshots – Paul Smith Photography ‘Children Of The Corn’ Still 1 – Mark Rogers Photography (4 actors, left to right: Alyla Browne, Ashlee Juergens, Elena Kampouris, Sisi Stringer) ‘Children Of The Corn’ Still 2 – Mark Rogers Photography (3 actors, left to right: Ashlee Juergens, Elena Kampouris, Sisi Stringer) ‘The Secrets She Keeps’ Still – John Platt Photography
