Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Cruel Summer’s Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut

Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut and the cast of Cruel Summer have kept audiences on the edge of their seats with the show’s explosive first season. Set in a small town in Texas, the suspenseful drama takes place over three summers in the ’90s, when a popular teen goes missing, and a seemingly unrelated girl transforms from a sweet and awkward outlier to the most popular girl in town, eventually becoming the most despised person in America.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Ashlei about her multifaceted career, Cruel Summer, and we learned her favorite ’90s trends.

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting and the arts?
Ashlei: My mom tells the story of me watching Barney and Friends when I was three years old, and I said that I wanted to be inside the TV. That’s what started my passion for acting. I would throw puppet shows in my house, different skits, and things like that. I went to school for acting, but that’s how I initially got started in it.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Ashlei: My mom. She’s not an actress, but we’d go to the movies every Saturday. Being able to see different genres of movies throughout the years really inspired me. I take a bit of what I see and try to implement that into my own craft. But there are so many different influences, I can’t pick just one. Everyone from Viola Davis to Halle Berry, and getting to see myself in them is influential. Watching Halle win her Oscar was a huge inspiration for me, especially since no one had done it since Hattie McDaniel.

PC: In addition to acting, you’re also a writer. How has your work behind the scenes made you a stronger actress and vice versa?
Ashlei: Now that I write screenplays, I have an idea of what the writer wants me to say when I’m acting or how they want me to interpret their words on the screen. You have to read between the lines. I have a better understanding of the subtext now.

PC: You’re currently starring in Cruel Summer. Can you tell us about the series and your character?
Ashlei: I play Ashley in the series, whose sister gets kidnapped. The show takes place between 1993, 1994, and 1995. You go on this journey with these two characters, Jeanette Turner and my stepsister Kate Wallis. It’s a series that will have you questioning who’s telling the truth. Kate accuses Jeanette of seeing her while she’s being kidnapped, and you go on this journey to find out who’s telling the truth. It’s become a national story.

PC: The series has been incredibly well received. Was there a moment when you knew this project was special? What do you think is resonating most with audiences?
Ashlei: When I initially auditioned for it, I knew it would be special because it’s a period piece, and I love the ’90s. On top of that, the script is really good. It’s a thriller, and it spoke to me because I love the horror-mystery genre. That intrigued me and made me want to be part of the project.

Even though the show takes place in the ’90s, they are still relevant topics. As teenagers, we all go through this, and we see how detrimental rumors can be to people. You really go on this journey with these characters. That’s what’s resonating with people. They can relate to these characters even as adults.

PC: Speaking of those relevant topics, was there one in particular that hit home for you?
Ashlei: I’ll give you a more playful take. In the series, my character is catfishing her sister. I watched Catfish when it aired on MTV. It was fun to see that Ashley was the OG Catfish back in the ’90s. [laughs]

PC: Ashley and Kate have this really interesting dynamic that we see change throughout the years. How did you and Olivia [Holt] approach that relationship?
Ashlei: It was so interesting because on my first day of shooting, we filmed the scene where I’m grilling into her while we’re out skeet shooting. I was like, “Oh God. I just met this girl and she’s so sweet. We were talking behind the scenes and now I have to be rude to her.” But you know, Olivia was so warm and welcoming. I have nothing but great things to say about her, the cast, and the crew. Everyone was so welcoming, but Olivia in particular was the sweetest. She gave me so much, even when it was my coverage. She was very giving and gave it her all, which was really nice.

PC: Something that’s really cool about this series is that you get to watch the show through the eyes of the viewers. They’ve come up with a lot of fun and crazy fan theories. What has that experience been like for you?
Ashlei: I love it! I’m on Twitter, so I look at the hashtag and I’m looking at all these conspiracy theories and living for it. I can’t go into detail about what’s true and what’s not, but I love the reaction to Ashley and Derek, and what people think about their relationship. I also love reading about what they think the motives are between Ashley and Kate. Is there a hidden agenda? The fan theories have been my favorite.

PC: You’re a fan of the ’90s. What’s a ’90s trend you want to see come back? What’s a ’90s trend you wish wouldn’t come back?
Ashlei: First, I want all the chokers to come back…I don’t think they ever left. Also, I love plaid and some Doc Martens. You’ve got to rock those. What would I get rid of? I don’t think I would leave anything behind!

PC: We’re approaching the back half of Season 1. What can you tease about what’s ahead?
Ashlei: I can’t wait for audiences to see Episode 7! I’ve been on Twitter every Tuesday to look at the hashtag. But May 25th? Audiences will be on the edge of their seats.

PC: You’re also working on a screenplay. Is there anything you can tell us about that?
Ashlei: We’re starting to get this off the ground now. It’s a comedy, a young adult comedy. You should be able to look out for that sometime within the next year or so.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Ashlei: Anything on Bravo. I love reality TV.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Ashlei: People talk so much trash about The Mummy. I love The Mummy with Brendan Fraser. Are you kidding me? I love it.

PC: Favorite book?
Ashlei: I can tell you what I’m reading right now and that’s Metahuman by Deepak Chopra. But I also have a good one: The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter—How to Make the Most of Them Now. I really love that book.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Ashlei: Can I give you three? When I went to see Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway, I cried—so that, Angels in America, and Harry Potter.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Ashlei: Luciano Pavarotti. I love opera.

PC: Dream role?
Ashlei: It’s either Storm from the Marvel Cinematic Universe or starring in one of my own projects.

To keep up with Ashlei, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Watch Cruel Summer on Freeform every Tuesday at 10/9c.