Pop Culturalist Chats with Ashleigh Ross

Ashleigh Ross is a quadruple threat. She’s an actress, dancer, singer, and model. And she’s also a rising social media star. This year, she won the #Famous Award at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.

When Ashleigh isn’t connecting with fans and spreading her positive message, she can be seen as Scout on ABC-AUS’ Dance Academy. And recently, she partnered with BalletIsFun.com to launch “The Ashi Ross Gold Turnboard.” Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Ashleigh about being a social media influencer, her Turnboard, and much more.

PC: Social media has given artists a new platform to communicate with fans. Can you tell us a bit about your early relationship with social media and how it’s evolved?
Ashleigh: My relationship with social media has been a crazy ride. But I’ve loved every minute of it! My very first interaction with social media was way back when MySpace was popular. It’s crazy to think how much has changed.

PC: Do you ever feel any pressure about what you’re sharing on social media considering you’re a rising star with a lot of influence?
Ashleigh: I don’t think I would really call it pressure. I love posting on social media and sending out good messages to people who follow me. I make sure to post age-appropriate posts and positive messages, but I would only be posting those things anyway. *laughs*

PC: You made the move from Australia to Los Angeles, was that a difficult transition? What was the biggest adjustment you had to make?
Ashleigh: Yes! I mean, L.A. is so different from Australia—the food, the people, the environment, the vibe! But it’s been a pretty smooth transition. I absolutely love it here. I think the food is the biggest adjustment I’ve made. *laughs*

PC: You started performing, dancing, and acting at the age of five. How did you develop that drive at such a young age?
Ashleigh: My older sister was a dancer when she was younger. She is three years older than me, so she was eight at the time. She started going to go to dance competitions and would come home with massive trophies. I wanted one so bad that I decided to take up classes too!

PC: Who were some of your role models growing up?
Ashleigh: My role models growing up were definitely my family! They are an amazing group of people.

PC: Tell us a bit about your partnership with BalletIsFun.com and your Turnboard. How did that come to fruition?
Ashleigh: The Turnboard company is amazing! I saw a Turnboard in this movie once, and I wanted to try it out so badly! So I went online and bought one straight away. It was so hard at first, but I eventually got the hang of it. It started there.

Check out Ashleigh’s Turnboard video below:

PC: What advice would you give someone who is looking to break into the industry?
Ashleigh: Work hard and follow your dreams! Anything is possible.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Ashleigh: Grey’s Anatomy. I binge-watched the whole series in five weeks.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Ashleigh: Any Jurassic Park movie or Harry Potter.

PC: Favorite book?
Ashleigh: Harry Potter!

PC: Favorite musical or play?
Ashleigh: My favorite musical is Wicked.

PC: A band or artist that people would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Ashleigh: I listen to anything that’s on the radio, so I don’t think anything would be a surprise.

PC: Hidden talent?
Ashleigh: I can make this super cool horn sound when I blow into my hands! It’s pretty weird.

Make sure to follow Ashleigh on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Photo Credit: Sarah Marzukie Photography