Not Skinny But Not Fat - High School Musical to Mom Life and Being Frenshe w/ Ashley Tisdale

Episode Date: November 1, 2022

I got to sit down with Ashley Tisdale to discuss how her career started, what she’s been up to since playing Sharpay, postpartum anxiety, what no one tells you about being a mom, and her new passion project available in Target: Being Frensche. frenshe.com/being-frenshe/ Produced by Dear Media This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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I mean, my podcast has been nominated. for a people's choice award for best pop podcasts. I am still in shock. I am in utter disbelief. I still think that I might be dreaming because what a freaking honor to even be nominated. And in this group, just incredible, amazing. So I'd really appreciate it. If you all can vote for my podcast for the best pop podcast, you have to go to vote pca.com slash vote. And then you could find the pop podcast category and then vote for my show. Not skinny but not fat. You could vote 25 points a day every day until I believe November 9th.

So go to vote pca.com slash vote and go to the pop podcast category and vote for my show. Please, I thank you and I love you. Also, quick announcement, everyone, but I just wanted to tease that due to popular demand, there will be a new version of the worst merch coming back in a couple weeks. And stay tuned for more details. Hi, Ashley Tisdale. How are you? I'm good.

Thank you for coming on. Thank you for having me. I'm so excited. First of all, I was shocked to learn your age. Yeah. I'm old. Well, you know, I'm 34, but that you're older than me, but it makes sense because we kind of grew up with you. you know what I mean like with the same eight it's not like your fans were 10 years younger

we were like with you on this journey but weirdly they've gotten even younger and younger now maybe TikTok well I think so but also like the movies just keep playing maybe because I have girls that come up to me and I think they were four when the movies came out and they're like you were my like favorite person I'm like how did you watch it and they're like we have older siblings and I was like that's so crazy oh that is cute though and you just made a tick TikTok, though, about, like, not aging? Yes. How did you think to do that?

I mean, everybody always just is like, you don't age and, like, always says that to me and always thinks I'm, like, younger than what I am. And so I just saw that on TikTok. First of all, knock on motherfucking wood, Ashley. Yeah. I know. Like, who goes around? I would be scared.

Well, are you not scared of the trolls? I would be scared that they would be like, are you kidding? You did age? No, I mean, honestly, no. I don't know. because it's like everyone doesn't even think I'm how old I am and it is like of course I've definitely have aged somewhat for sure and just like my style and everything but I do think a lot of people ask me and it's like it is a lot of genetics it's not like I use some crazy serum yeah

or I do anything to my face it's like you should see my grandma you should see my mom like everyone like looks very young wait what where are they from are they just are they American no they're Jewish and I just people I mean I don't know like I I really don't know where if it which became from my dad my dad looks really young for his yeah so it's like almost like I don't know it's kind of weird but I was like blessed hashtag blessed or hashtag show up like I like to say but no own it baby I saw also that you and your family are already like in Halloween spirits yes yes so you're that kind of fam well Chris is a huge person into Halloween So he's, like, obsessed.

I am too. Like, I love, we usually hit up, like, all the haunted houses and everything. So, of course, like, having a baby, we're like, this has to be her favorite holiday. I know. Now that you have a baby, I used to not be into it. Maybe it goes in stages. It's like when you're younger, yes. And then when you're 20 and you have to go to, like, Brooklyn loft parties.

Yeah. Yeah. And then when you have a baby, you're like in it again. It gets cute again. I know. I love how I. used to dress for Halloween compared to how I dress now. It used to be like a sexy, slutty thing.

Slutty, like, outfit for Halloween, like, when you're, like, single, trying to meet a guy. And now I'm, like, full on, like, just give me a onesie. Like, that's like, I know. Like, cute little whatever. That was my last costume in a Brooklyn loft. Yeah. I showed up in a unicorn onesie and realized this isn't for me. Oh, my God.

Everyone was dressed like they're, you know, in the S&M movie. and I was in a Wednesday. So that's when you realize you've aged out of that kind of vibe. Is your house decorated already? Well, we are in a rental right now. So we have that partly decorated, but we didn't go full out. Because we were talking before we started the podcast that I watched your, first of all, I love watching AD.

Yeah, me too. So was it really fun to do it? Oh, I always love doing it. It's like, it's just so much fun. And I'm obsessed with interior design. And so I'm always down to like, you know, show. off like what I've done and I work with like awesome interior designers but the last one I did on my own so I was just like excited to like have them come in and be like this is what I did I know and

that was like what six months ago it aired probably so I was telling you that like it started and I wanted to see it because I know that you're doing like interior design stuff now and yeah and that you I heard that you did it on your own I mean it's gorgeous and you were like telling how you just moved in and your husband is like, oh, like, I hope we don't have to move again. And then I was like, wait, did you move again? I did. You did. So that's why you're in a rental is your house getting in.

Yes, yes, unfortunately, which we knew going into it. But we were not looking. This was not one of the scenarios in the past where, you know, I kind of have this thing where I'm like, okay, I want another project. And this all kind of comes from my dad is a contractor. So it's like in my blood, my first home, I had built. from the ground up. So I'm used to renovation. I'm used to doing that type of thing. And I love it. But this time, I really loved that house that we lived in was like amazing. But we did know

moving into it, it was transitional because it was not a baby's home for a child. It was three different floors, a lot of stairs. My grandma actually fell twice in it and my niece broke her toe in the house. And so I was just getting more nervous as she started to crawl and walk. And she started walking and I was just like oh my god we have this huge pool what do we do we cover it do we do we shorten it I had all these questions and I was just like myself on redfin I have this redfin kind of addiction and I saw this house and I was like oh my god this house is so beautiful like I could see this as being like the next home but was really just going to be inspired and wanted to see it my sister's an agent so I was like can you just take it to me like take me to see it I want to see the

design. Your father's a contractor, your sister's, and it all works. Yes. Yeah. And so I went and I was very overwhelmed. I was like, oh my God, this is the house that we, this is our house. And I've never done that with any of the homes. I've never been an emotional buyer. I am a tough negotiator. Like I'm someone who comes in and I never pay full price. Yeah. I like go in there and I'm like, okay, yeah, like, I like, I like this. Then I'm like, okay, cool, but not worth the price. I'm like really tough on it. It's like this thing that I have. And then this is the first time where I was just like, whatever I'll take it. I just want it. But then I had to convince my husband, which was definitely not easy. Was he like, again? He was just like, get out of the studio.

Wait, does he have to, did you have to promise him? Like, no, no, we'll stay here for a while. I promise. I don't like to promise that because I get nervous. It's probably like part of like commitment issues that I have. And I think it was just more like he understood the same thing that he was just like, this feels too soon. But we felt this. way about this home. And now that she's walking and also it was just like in a neighborhood we wanted to be in. I think it was just like he went to go see it and then he completely agreed. He was just like, yeah, it's it's totally it. So I didn't really have to even convince him. He was just knew he fell in love with it as well. The problem is during inspections, we found a lot of black

mold. So is that inspections are before you commit or after? Before. And so basically, I'm like, I'll take it still. Yeah. So that's another thing. I actually have a thing with finding homes with black mold. So I've been through it before. It's a huge process to go through and it's not easy for like some people are scared of it. But I basically, we had sold our home at that point because two days later, like someone came into our house and wanted to buy it. So we were like, we accepted.

So we were, it was like I couldn't like go backwards. Yeah. It was either we were just going to, okay, rent and find something else. But the house is just really special. And I was just like, okay, you know what? I've done this before. I can do this again. So, and I'm into wellness.

It's like my thing, I guess. I talk to my therapist. I'm like, why do I keep finding homes with mold? And she's like, because you like to clean everything out and like you like to make everything like pure. Yeah. It's like you're finding them to help. Yeah. I'm like, I'm just trying to help every L.A. house with molds.

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The promo code is not skinny for 15% off your first order. You're originally from New Jersey. Yeah. Do you feel like people know that? I think so. Because it's like there are people that are like, very jersey proud and they wear and they're like jersey jersey exit no see i've never had like that my sister's that way because she like went to high school there i left at like age eight to do the

lame as a rob tour so i left really and then i was actually like a lot of the time in new york city before eight years old every single day i was in new york city and so i went to school out here so i think i just never had like a lot there what do you mean school out here i went to private school out here oh in the city yeah PCS so I just never had like a complete I don't know just like that I felt like I left so early yeah so young that when I think of me growing up it was like more middle school like you remember more stuff right and that was in L.A and your family moved with you to L.A like when they were like okay this is what she's going to do they didn't move with me right away. It was my mom and me. And then my dad wanted my sister to graduate high school. He didn't want

to like take her. And so she decided she wanted to go to college in LA. And so for my dad, he was like, well, everybody wants to be there. And he's a contractor. So he was like, okay, took his like license. Wow. Has like the, I mean, his career has gone amazing. Like he works for all these, like, his first project was Darren Starr. So totally different career he would have had in New Jersey. So really? Yeah. That's wild. So there's still. there so it's fun you have your family next to you oh yeah my family is like down the street stop no we don't live like we don't move very far from the family oh that are very much like east coast like every like sunday night dinner type of thing oh yeah and that's so amazing that they

knew that was what you wanted to do and your mom went with i mean that's a huge like sacrifice yeah i know i'm like don't know how she did it because i'm like that's a lot you know like to i mean i have a husband i'm like i wouldn't be like i'm leaving and yeah like but they made it work my dad would come out all the time and visit and like on tour when I was eight my dad and my sister would come out to every single city that I was performing in and they just we were just a very close family do you remember that like this is what you wanted to do like being like that young yeah like I started when I was three and I just kind of fell into it but my mom said I was so crazy as a child like she I would not listen to anybody which reminds me of my

daughter a little bit. And I was like, my mom was just like, I just want her to start listening. And then she took me on like set because I booked like the first commercial I went on. And I was really listened to the director. So she was like, that's interesting. And then each time I was just always listening to the director. So she's like, I think it's kind of good for her. My dad was like, yeah, she's like learning things. And so they just kind of like let me do it for however long I wanted to. But I loved it. Like it was just in me. Is the story that somebody like found you at a mall? Yeah, when I was through me. My old manager found me in New Jersey at a mall just in a stroller. Yeah. That shit doesn't happen anymore, I feel like. And if it did, it would be creepy.

I'm like, I wouldn't trust the person. Do you remember, do you know how this story goes? Yeah, he was basically doing like a talent search at the mall. And my mom was just shopping and was not interested. But I, I guess he thought I was like really cute. I had this like curly hair, like big brown eyes or whatever. And he was just like, oh my god she's so cute are you getting in line and my mom was like no and he's like oh okay well here's my card if you ever think about it and basically my grandma had suffered a loss in the family and so she just was really hard to like get out of the house and my mom just said you know what I got this card from this guy at the mall like he said something about an audition like maybe we go to new york city and bring ashley to this audition she was like okay yeah and it got her out of

the house and really was honestly to get her out of the house it was not for me at all. And I was like J.C. Penny, I think it was the first one. I booked the commercial. Oh, you booked that commercial that you flew for. Yeah. And I literally booked seven in a row. So my family was just like, that's weird. Like maybe she's meant to do this. So wild. Yeah. That it's literally since you were three. Yeah. I've never known a life without it. You've never known. And then would you call your like big break the sweet life? Yes, for sure. I mean, I think that up until then I was always. working and I did, you know, Le Miserables Rob on the national tour and stuff and did theater

here and there. And then when I went to L.A., I was really excited about doing TV. The thing was like no one was ever forcing me to do anything. Like my parents were like just kind of like whatever you want to do like, I wanted to do Les Mizz because I saw my friend in it. And I was like, I've got to do that. And then I was like, I want to do TV. And so my mom was like, okay, she wants to do TV. Let's go to L.A. And I would say I did like, my first pilot was for Chuck Lorry for Fox when I was 16. And then I did a pilot every single year until the Sweet Life. But at that point, I was 18. Like a pilot that didn't go past. Yeah, like each pilot I did was never getting picked up. And I was getting kind of frustrated. And my parents, the one rule that was

like a big thing with my family was like, you can do this business, but you have to have a normal life. So I had to go to school, a public school. I had to like work in clothing stores. Like I had to have a job and so I was just getting frustrated and I felt like I wasn't really thriving in you know in pilot seasons I was like what is this maybe I'm not meant to do this and I think I was just like at that point where I was like kind of quitting I remember telling my manager I'm like I'm done I don't want to do this anymore like I think I want to go to college like this just doesn't feel right anymore and then he had this audition for the sweet life Zach and Cody and I was like I don't do Disney. And he was like, because I was doing like pilots for like NBC, Fox, ABC. Yeah. And you were

18 when you got Sweet Life. Yes. So you weren't like a baby. I wasn't a kid. Yeah. So I was just like, no, no, no. I kind of knew. I was like, once I go to Disney, it's like I'm going to get put in this box where I've done other things. I did Donnie Darko when I was younger. I was like really into like indie stuff. And but then my mom was like, Ashley, it's like a 50, 50 chance if you get on the show. because if the show gets picked up, like there's only two pilots. And like pilot season usually is like 40 pilots. Yeah.

So she's like, why not just try? And I think I was just like, okay, yeah, I'll just try. And then I actually fell in love with it because I love the Sprouse twins. Yeah. And I loved Big Daddy. And I think I just was like my confidence was knocked at the time. And then it kind of came back up because I auditioned for both characters, Maddie and London and was testing for both characters.

And so, yeah, I was like that was my big kind of big break. So you were 18 and they were, they're younger. They were all like, yeah, the boys were 10. No. Yeah. And I think Brenda was like 15 or 16. And but did you still like vibe and like have a good time with that? Oh my God.

They're like little brothers. Well, they were completely little brothers. They were completely little brothers. I was also very young 18 year old. I would say like I, you know, being in this business, you kind of have like, you know, your mom with you. So I was a little bit sheltered for sure. And then you also said somewhere that because,

it does seem like you were so grounded with your family and everything they did to keep you to keep you grounded but you said that there is something traumatizing about like being famous at such a young age oh no i was just probably saying that like i think that i'm grateful that that stuff happened when i was older like after high school that i was i would say and for me i i even struggled with that still you know like obviously i have anxiety and stuff and that contributed to all of, you know, everything I went through. But I would say, like, I can't, I can't imagine being, you know, 15 or 16 or 10 years old and being such a huge success. And you're really just trying to find out who you are as a person in those moments. And, like,

that's what high school is always about, like, you know, relationships and friendships and who are you and, like, feeling comfortable. I remember in high school, I, what, didn't feel comfortable telling people I was an actress, I would, like, hide it from people. Because I just felt, maybe ashamed by it or something. I didn't want to, like, stand out in any way. And so I think that, to me, after I graduated, I was like, hey, yeah, I am an actress and, like, felt really comfortable in my skin. And so it's probably just, I think, what I was trying to say is that it must, it's,

it's hard when people talk about, like, that whole, like, when you make it when you're really young. Yeah. I'm, like, yeah, of course you're going to go through a lot. Yeah. But you, so you're saying, like, you on the flip side, even though you went through tough moments felt like it happened to you at a good time. Better time.

Yeah. Just when you were able to handle it a little bit. Yeah. And that's still young, by the way. Like 18 obviously is still young. Like today when I see TikTokers and, you know, that are 21. And I'm like, they're literal babies. Yeah.

That. And also you were in it for so many years. So you probably also felt like, yeah. Like you said, like you were owning being an actress more like this isn't an overnight. It wasn't overnight. It was like I worked, you know, my whole life for that. So I was just, I think, just so excited. For me, it's always been not about, I mean, the success is great because you want it to be successful because you want to keep doing what you want to do.

But it was never about, like, fame or any of that. Like, I honestly just, like, love being on set. I mean, it's because I've been a young kid on sets of commercials and stuff. So I love creating families, like, with the cast that I'm with. And so that is, like, what I thrive in is that kind of like every day going to work and going to set and seeing your friends and, like, So, yeah, for me, it's just always been about that. It's been about the work. Similasan.

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Article is offering my listeners $50 off of your first purchase of $100 or more. And then you were also doing music. Do you think you're going to do music again? Yeah, I mean, well, it's really hard to do so many different things. Yeah. I think, you know, the music, I was really lucky because, as you know, I was eight doing, you know, like national tours of Broadway shows and theater was a huge thing. So music was always a big thing in my life. But I did have to choose. And you can sing. And thank you. Thanks. Yeah. But I did have to choose at one point where I was like, okay, do you want to just keep doing theater or do you want to go into like more TV and like movie stuff? And so I did

choose to go into more TV and movie stuff. What was so awesome was that years later, I got to combine the two and do high school musical. Right. And so, thank you for the transition into our next. Thank you. So I was like, oh my God,

this is amazing. And then I obviously got to like do a record deal and music. And so I love music and I love singing. And now music is just something that I like to, if I'm inspired to do what I like to do it. But what's on my plate in this very moment? I'm like if I, I try over the summer was like,

thinking about writing again but I was just like I can't there's just no way yeah I've got a baby I've got a baby I've got like a company it's like it's a lot yeah so you were 18 when you did sweet life so when did the HSM I think it was 19 like a year first one that you auditioned yes yeah and did you when you when you got that audition did you feel like it was going to be something big like you know I have always been someone my journey and my work has always been that I've had a fight for everything that I get. I haven't been like, it hasn't come easy. It's not like someone thinks of me and they're like,

she's perfect for this role. Like, it's been me always trying to prove them wrong. And high school musical was like a perfect example because even though I was on a Disney show, the reason why I had said no to Disney at first is because for years I auditioned for Disney movies and I never got it. And so I finally was like,

I'm not going to audition for Disney for a while. And then that's when I started doing like network stuff. And when I came back and I got the Disney show, I was like, cool. Like I'll probably do one of those Disney movies because they put all their Disney kids and stuff. And high school musical was the movie. They were doing that summer. And they were like, actually, no, we have some in mind already. And I was like, I'm not even going to get to audition.

Like, that's crazy. And so I was like telling my manager, like, I have to audition. Like, I just want to audition. They're like, well, they're already screen testing people. I was like, okay, well, I just want to meet with the director. And so they, as a courtesy, brought me in because I'm on one of their shows. And I met with Kenny Ortega and sang for him and did the scene. And he was like, she's got a screen test.

And so everybody had this like material for two weeks. They were screen testing. They knew who they were screen testing. And I had it the day before. And it was this really tough song. And I was just like, oh, my God, I don't know how I'm going to memorize the song. I don't know what I'm going to do. But I remember specifically, this is just I feel like Sharpay's person.

personality. I remember saying to my mom the morning of the screen test and I said, you know what, mom, I may not be the best singer in the world. And I may not be the best dancer. But I'm going to act like the best singer and I'm going to act like the best dancer. And I think that I embodied that character because it was really just her belief. That's her vibe too. And that's her vibe. And so here we are like the screen test and everyone's nervous and like, you know, everyone always gets nervous in audition. And they're like kind of like trying to be in the back like hiding. And I was like front and center. And I was just like. Oh, was a group like like. Oh. Yeah, it's like a Broadway audition. Oh. So it's not like you go in the room by yourself. No, you do with like the scenes and stuff, but like the music and dance part, you're in front of everybody and you're learning the dance in front of everybody. So it's like a full Broadway situation. And you got it.

I did. Yeah. Yeah. But I. You guys tenacity. Like it's a really important lesson because first of all, it's important that people know that shit doesn't come easy because it's so easy to look at like Hollywood people and and celebrities and actors that, you know, people loving like net.

Bo baby, about, you know, it gives people satisfaction to think that people just got things. Yeah. But hard work and like some balls. Yeah. And like, wow, that's a really. Even still today, I would say, like, I think that it's one of those things that it's followed me through, like, where it's still like really hard. I have to like fight for everything.

But honestly, when I sat down and just started creating for myself, it has been like the best. And it's been like, you know, when that's. stuff is successful, you're like, it means so much more to you too. So I just feel like never give up on what you want to do. Yeah. Like, go for it. And believe in yourself. Yeah. Or fake believe in yourself. Fake believe in yourself. Because you will. Because you will. Did you become besties with everybody on set? Oh, yeah. I mean, that's like, well, it's my favorite thing to do. I'm like, that's my favorite thing to do. I love like, you know, having like, to me after high school, like that's like where you're, those are your friends, you know? Like,

Do you feel like you liked people that you worked with more than, like, people at your actual high school? Well, at high school, like, a lot of the people just didn't understand what it was like to be in my business. And that's why I was so kind of quiet about it. And so I just felt like I always felt like I had double lives. I always felt like I had, like, you know, my personal life that, you know, I had my friends from school. But then I had my acting life where I would go to, like, you know, classes and acting classes and had my friends who, completely understood what I was doing. Yeah. So I think that to me, I just have always felt like a lot of people in this business

kind of understand it more. Yeah. Like they get, they're going through the same thing. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Do you remember thinking that Zach Efron was hot? I never thought that, to be honest. Stop. Well, it's because I was friends with him before the movie. And he was way younger than me. Oh, he was also younger. And yeah. And it was just like, he was like a brother too so it just felt like i think the one time where i was like oh okay shit yeah he looks hot was the rolling stone's up there i'm like trying to remember he well but yeah but when he grew up more i was like okay you know like the rolling stones cover i was like for sure now i understand yeah but i think i just knew him too well and had been best friends with him for so long that i'm just

like you know yeah it's just like your brother that you're hanging out with i don't know yeah and then I wanted to know, because your character had, like, you know, a bitchy vibe. Yes. And the people that watched it then, like, we were young. Did you ever feel like you were getting, you know how, like, people mistake the characters for the people? Yes. Like, did people ever, you know, not like you because of the character you played or anything?

Oh, I think, yeah. I mean, a lot of people weirdly loved Sharpay, which was really actually very interesting for Disney, too, because they were like, she was the very popular. popular character. And they were like, wait, she's mean. Why is? And I remember they did like some testing and with these kids. And this eight year old was like, I love Charpe. And they're like, why? And she was like, because she knows what she wants and she gets it. And I was like, oh my God. But I think to be honest, I think what happens more so even today is that I'm a pretty shy person. I and I'm very socially awkward because I have anxiety. And so when people come to

meet me. There are times where I don't know what to say. I don't know what they're expecting. But I think sometimes they're expecting a little bit of Sharpay or they want to create that like, oh, she's so like she's not nice because she's like every single time I see a comment. It's like, oh, I heard she's not really nice. I'm like, that's like my character. Like you guys are like, that's a narrative of like a character. It's like what? Like I feel like I'm always pretty nice to everybody, but I just am a shy person. And I think that sometimes being quiet can like. I know. I actually tell this to people, like, even my friends, they'll tell me about a person they met or something and be like, they weren't nice to me.

And I always say, like, just give them the benefit of the doubt first and think maybe they're super shy, maybe they're super anxious, maybe they're socially awkward. Like, there could be a reason before bitchy. Like, there could be a gazillion reasons before bitchy. Yeah. It's also always surprising to learn the people that do what you do could be socially awkward, you know, to have social anxiety. It like doesn't go together.

I know. But it's somehow, was going to auditions something that you got anxiety doing? Well, and more like the anxiety was that's a more natural anxiety, I think, for auditions. Yeah, that's like heart beating. I would say like events. I was never like a big fan of. Like I was the girl that would go to red carpet events and events, but like be in the corner. Like I'm not someone who's just like, you know, hi, like talking to everybody.

like it's just I don't know like I get star struck myself so I'm just like oh my god like that's so crazy but I also just feel like it's that thing about feeling like okay I'm meant to be here but like also I feel like you know do I deserve to be like it's like that kind of stuff it's just like all the mental health stuff that you go through no events are like really people that do it and and always I even tell my followers sometimes like you'll see influencers or celebrities go to all these events and you're like jealous you think it's glam as an anxious i'm also a fellow anxious baby yeah to me it gives me anxiety like because i can picture myself in that situation yeah i get anxiety before going like during glam everyone's like oh it must be so cool to get like glam and i'm like no half the time i started

doing my own makeup because i it felt like better for me to just get my hair done be doing my makeup i felt like i was like a piece of it and it felt like less pressure yeah i think there's this pressure that comes with it about like okay looking a certain way being perfect and like you know and then it sometimes would freak me out i would not even go i'd just be like actually i'm not going to go i told my public says i'm like i'm canceling and they're like so true because if if you do the glam and everything and you like look perfect makeup's perfect it puts more pressure on the event you know if you're like let me do my makeup like let me wear then you can like then you don't feel as like right you know oh my god that's totally my state of mind about it.

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Okay, so it's super, super easy, you guys. Sign up for a free trial at Shopify.com slash not skinny, a lowercase. Shopify.com slash not skinny. Go to Shopify.com slash not skinny to start. selling online today. Shopify.com slash not skinny. So with high school musical, you said you were scared to be put in a Disney box. Do you feel looking back like it did put you in a box? I think it did for a long time, yeah.

But I think that, you know, I've also just done like a lot of stuff since then. And I feel like actually I feel right now specifically with what I'm doing with my with my line being Frenchy and Frenchy, I feel like people are getting to know me for me rather than like what they think I am or who I was or what they expect me to be or like who I was back in the day. Like I feel like I have finally opened up and I'm vulnerable with, you know, the community that we have at Frenchy, which is my wellness blog and I share all of these stories. And so it's kind of like they're getting to know me for the first time as like as you.

Who I am. Plus, you, like, played hookers and things since. So we're out of the box, you know? Yes. Yes. Yeah. I definitely did some stuff like Sons of Anarchy. I hope would take me out of the box. Yeah, that was, it was a sharp left. And we talked about your husband, Christopher, before, and your baby Jupiter. Yes. For example, does Jupiter have a nickname? Juju. Oh, that's a few. Yeah. I love that. And you also said that you knew you were going to name her Jupiter. Was that like your dream baby girl name always? No. I mean, I honestly, like, didn't even know. Like, I didn't think we were going to have kids, to be honest, because I am someone who hates the whole thing where you get engaged and everybody's like, when are you getting married? You get married.

What are you having kids? And I was just like, oh, my God. And the baby turns too. And they're going to ask you when's the next one. I'm like, what is with people? Like, I actually think it's one of those things too actually in this business where it's just like always what's next. Like, oh, what are you doing next? And I'm like, is this not enough in this moment? Like in this moment, it's not enough. Like, I just feel like people are always trying to make you feel like. like this next moment is where you have to be. And so I rebelled against it a lot of the time. And me and my husband were like, we don't need to have kids.

Like we could be like just, you know, the young, cool people and stuff. And then, yeah, it was never like, oh my God. Like, you know, I didn't think I wasn't even like, I need to get married. Like I wasn't, I just found Chris. And I was like, oh, I love him, you know. So, so yeah, when we were thinking about getting pregnant and I was just like, maybe we do have a baby. I do name first. I name my dogs first before I get it.

And so I don't know. I remember being on Instagram or something and seeing something. And I was like, oh, my God, Jupiter is a really good name, like whether it's a boy or a girl. And I had said to Chris, I'm like, what do you think of the name Jupiter? And he was like, that's really cool, like Jupiter French. And I was like, yeah. And then weirdly, we did this like meditation at the den for New Year's Eve, 2019. And they were like, next year, the planet Jupiter is going to be like, you know, present and blah, blah.

And I was, like, looked at him being like, oh, my God. And then we got pregnant that year. Wow. And so, yeah. Well, I love that story because I just posted the other day. He was like Sidney Sweeney that was talking about, like, I always wanted to be a mom. And I just said, like, that's such a, I don't relate to that answer as well. And I'm, like, obsessed with my baby, obviously.

But you hear that so much. And sometimes it can make you feel like, well, I, like, really? You were five? Like, you know, like, really people. grew up and and just had this idea. So it's, it's nice to say, like, I personally relate to that. Yeah. Was I dreaming to be a mom my whole life? No. No. Am I really great at it? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, it's so true. It's like, I think having my dogs, like, I realize, like some people would be like, you treat your dogs like babies, you know? And I was just like, oh, that's true, you know? And so it was kind of like

stepping into, to motherhood in that way, I guess. Has your marriage changed? all since the baby? Yeah. Yes. Yes. Yeah. I mean, it's it's a roller coaster of a ride. No one prepares you for it. Hate your husband for the first, you know. I just started being nice again. Yeah. Yeah. I have my moments for sure. I mean, I think it's just something that like I've been developing something on the TV side for a minute. And it's just like literally about me and Chris because I'm like, everyone prepares you for the baby and no one prepares you for what your relationship. relationship is going to go through. Yeah. And so it's just wild. But Chris is like the most patient man. We just, we never really fought. And so we do fight now because it's like, you know,

you have a third little person and you're trying to like, it's like you have your way, they have their way. And you're trying to like, you know, come together as a team. And so it definitely changes things for sure. Yeah. I love how none of my friends who had kids told me about this. Yeah, there should be a book. It's like a secret. I keep saying like there should be a book like the minutia of like like having kids not the big things yeah small thing yeah like those things and i my kid is now in like in a three hour program a day and no one prepared me for like the drop off situation that it's like a war it's like a whole and then you said and people like oh my god drop off and i'm like yeah where is that info yeah before but yeah everyone when i said the other day like the first year

of having a baby yeah it's wild it's wild well especially because like for us as the mom's we're not only like trying to take care of this little thing. We're trying to take care and heal ourselves back together. I'm like I just felt like a shell of a person. And I was just like this is crazy. Like I never, I didn't even know who I was at that point. Like I was just like I know I'm not who I used to be because I have this little baby now. Yeah. And it's just so crazy. It's like you're almost like you can never go back to who you once were. Right. Which is amazing, but indifferent. But it's like trying to get comfortable with that and with your body again and trying to just like, you know, your hormones are regulating. It was just, it's a lot. How was your anxiety in like pregnancy and

anxiety was perfect with pregnancy. And even after. Sometimes it balances shit out. Yeah. I was like fine. I was fine after I had her. And then I feel like I had a little bit of postpartum stuff happened. And so it kind of got bad again over the last couple months. But, you know, I kind of went back to like, my tools and all of that stuff that I talk about on Frenchy and like, you know, it's helped a lot. So Frenchy is the wellness community that you created before being Frenchy, which is now the product line. Yeah. Basically, I had created Frenchie just based off of my journey through mental health. I had been through like a really stressful time a couple years ago. And I was like seeing all these different doctors thinking like I had something wrong with me. And they're like,

no, this is anxiety. I was like, no, no, I need a brain scan. I need everything. It's got to be something. And they're like, no, it's anxiety. And as I like met with every single one, they really showed me just with living a cleaner lifestyle can be just like more beneficial for your mental health, for everything. I was like, you know, for years. Whenever I come up with an idea, I like hike a lot and I think about these ideas. And it was it was definitely like coming and forming. And it's cool to see that process of when you have a small idea and I'm talking about it with my husband to just like getting to this point where you're like, oh my God, it's here. But basically I was just like, I want to talk about these things that like, you know, that I've learned. I want to talk

about, I want to have experts on there that I've worked with. And I want to talk about plastic surgery and how like my experience hasn't been so great with it. And I wanted to talk about all these things that I knew was going to be like opening up myself for the first time. And that I would have to be okay with it that I'd have to be like okay I'm going to do this and so I prepared myself and I was going to launch Frenchie I also felt like too in the wellness community everything was like very expensive and so it's just like I mean if it's expensive for me it's probably expensive for someone following me so I wanted to to really create a platform that was just wellness was for everyone and affordable and it's named after your husband's last name right so French is my married name

And so I came up with Frenchie just on vacation. I was coming up with all these names and GoDaddy didn't have the accounts. And so I was just like, which one works? And I was like, French French she. And I was like, and I looked it up on GoDaddy and it was a ghost. So I was like, cool, this is it. But I felt like, to be honest, when I think of the name, it was more because I was like, okay, when did I start this journey with myself?

And it was when I married my husband because he's sober and he worked like on himself a lot for years. And so when I got married to him, I just felt like I was really learning who I was and just like who like just the depths of everything and my anxiety. And so I actually felt like it was kind of perfect that it was really after my married name. Yeah. And so yeah. So I ended up coming out with that in the beginning of the pandemic. And it started as a blog. It was just a blog. And I loved it because I had been through a really hard time with a company that I had taken over. That was when I was really stressed a couple years ago. And I felt like I really failed at it. And I was just uninspired creatively to do anything. And so Frenchie really gave me this kind of like

outlet to be creative without having any pressure of like products or anything. It was just really sharing my story, my journey, sharing other people's stories, sharing experts. And really it was just like a weird timing, I think, because of everyone being home, I was looking to connect with people. And I think everybody else was looking to connect with people, especially on mental health. And so it was just like pretty amazing this community that, to be honest, like I don't get a lot of people on my Instagram, like writing to me and comments. But I always would connect with like all of everybody on Frenchie. So I get all these like really cool questions. And I was like, this is awesome.

So yeah, it was just like it started off there. And then through the pandemic and being pregnant, I had to really ground myself. And, you know, just kind of being home a lot was really hard for me. It was like the first time I've ever had that much time off in my life since three years old. So of course, anxiety was creeping in a little bit. But I always was just like, okay, like I know how to change the energy in a room. Like I'd open a window, light a candle and it would make me feel better. And so I started just like researching how fragrance can, you know, like that whole mood brain connection and how fragrance can really like lift our moods. And so so then I was just like thinking. Oh my God, what if we did like a product line that was all clean ingredients, but we put like a mood scent technology in it to lift your mood. So it's not just like a product. It actually makes you feel good. Oh. So that's kind of where like the stem of being Frenchy came. And I've always wanted a line at Target. And so it was just like one of those things that like I said. Wait, that you knew you wanted it to be a target. Yeah. Basically the company that I had taken over, my dream was to have it at Target. And I'd taken over this makeup line. And it was so hard. I was trying to fundraise. I had gotten an investment. I was by myself. I had no team at all. I was like on a TV show for Netflix, on a CBS show. I was putting in discount codes in the Shopify, trying to like sell this product. I was like, there were so many red flags being like, don't do this, Ashley. You don't need to do this.

Yeah. But I was like at it being like, I had this reason why, which was like I wanted to make people feel beautiful. And I felt like, I just felt like in the makeup industry, it was just like, oh, well, if you, you know, feel not so good about yourselves, you can always do something else. And it's like, makeup's supposed to make you feel good. It's not supposed to like change your whole face and stuff. And so I had this why I just want to make, I wanted to make people feel good. It was the end of it. And I failed at it. I completely failed. I cried. And I was like, yep, I've got to shut this down. This is just not working. And so I think that's one of those moments in your life where either you just like, kind of give up or you, you know, just get creative in a different way. And I got creative with Frenchie. And with the opportunity of being Frenchy and Target and having that meeting and then wanting it, I was just like, oh my God, like that was something that I thought, I thought I would never have. And so I was just like, it's crazy how it's not even like two years later that that happened. Wow. So. And there's candles, hair linen and body mist, body wash and the moisturizer that I used lavender. It smells amazing. So good. Yeah, it's so good. Do you think you're going to make more

products down the line? Yeah, I mean, we have bath bombs as well. We have hand serum. We have, we have like the roll-on oils. And we definitely have ideas for more stuff. Basically how it's created right now is that, you know, for each mood, it's not like it's across the whole thing. It's not like the hair and linen body miss can come in every single scent. That one actually does. but then the leave-in, like the hair conditioner is only in two cents. So we might also extend into other sense, but also maybe into other moods. So we have definitely ideas that we are working on right now. And then you also opened.

I saw there's an Instagram now for French interior. Oh, yes. That's just a real fun thing for me to do. That's just a fun thing on the side. Because you have so much extra time. Yes, yeah. Let me just dabble here. Like let me just also just do interior design.

Yeah. So are you doing it for other people or just like for your? I have already done it for us. That's why I did the Instagram. While I was developing this product line in the pandemic and pregnant, one of the girls who bought a house of mine, like two houses ago, it was like, oh, my God, I want to redo my kitchen. And it was the only room we hadn't, like I hadn't renovated in that house.

And I was like, oh, I always wanted to renovate that kitchen to look like this. And I sent her an image. And she was like, that's so my style. She was like, oh, my God, would you do it? And I was like, sure. And so she actually, like, paid me to endure design. Oh, I was going to say full free? No, no.

I was like, I really don't have a ton of time. But I was, like, actually managing the project for her too. Yeah. So, yeah, it was me and my dad. My dad was the contractor and I was the designer on it. And it was pretty cool. It came out amazing. Oh, my God.

That is so cool. Yeah. Okay. So some quick fun questions. First of all, you said that you're a big believer in manifestation. I am. So what does it mean to you? Because I feel like a lot of people look at manifesting,

like, you know, in the Scott, like, you know, dream. But it's not, right? It's like action, actually. Yeah. I mean, I have probably horrible at like explaining it, but I have always followed Lacey Phillips to be magnetic because I think it's a little bit more, it kind of teaches you more about like the ways to manifest. And to be honest, the ways to manifest is really getting to know yourself more and like

your shadows and like, you know, being shy and all of those things that can keep you or block you from certain manifestations. I also feel like you can manifest, but sometimes it's not like a specific thing. Like you can't just put like a picture on a vision board and expect that you're going to get that. That's what I meant. It's not it's not just vision boarding. No, it's like it's always what's meant for you. I think that like manifestation is just like realizing maybe what you're going for and what your

goal is, having a goal setting it and then being like, okay, this is what I want to do. and then kind of like letting it all go and like letting it come to you and also like working definitely working yes the entire time picture on the board and no no you have to like definitely depends on like what it is but you have to kind of obviously be taking action into you know Lacey Phillips always says there's like this ping that you'll have where it's like an idea and to follow those pings that if you're like oh yeah that's my goal this could probably help that that's wild that she says that. That's like how I opened my Instagram account. It was a pink. Yeah. That's like what it was. Yeah. And I call it like that, you know, those thoughts you have, like you said, you had the idea.

It's like those thoughts that you have before you go to sleep that sometimes don't happen. Yeah. Where you're like, I'm going to, you know, build a tree tomorrow. Maybe you're not going to build that tree. Yeah. But another ping. I like that it's a ping. But it's like cool because a perfect example, like I said, was that I, you know, had taken over this makeup line and I had this. I was like, oh, I want to manifest. Like, I want, I, like, want it to have my own company because I love being creative. And I was just like, this is something that I, like, have always wanted to do, especially like when I'm not acting and stuff. It's just like, I'm just such a workaholic. I love doing that stuff. And it's interesting that sometimes when you think something's right for you is not. And then it goes away because you're like, oh, that wasn't it. But then something actually more authentic and right for

you comes into your life. And you're like, no wonder that didn't work out. like this is like this is exactly what I was meant to be doing I love that and you said that your husband is sober are you sober as well no okay no he's definitely yeah he's sober he's like 15 16 years oh wow yeah but I mean I'm not like a drinker drinker like I'll have like wine at night for dinner with friends yeah yeah I feel you any Hollywood hookups that we don't know about that you had I can't remember to be honest it's so long ago did you have like a fun single I definitely had fun single times for sure. Yes, yes.

Before settling down. I just was always good at never letting people know who it was. And you kept that, I mean, you did good. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, you know, for me, I was like, yeah. I'm like trying to remember. I can't remember, to be honest. There was no time before, before Chris.

I can't remember anybody except for my husband. Just him. Well, thank you, Ashley, so much for coming on. Thank you so much. go check out Frenchie and being Frenchie. Yes, at Target. Exclusively at Target. Yes.

That's so fun. So cool. Thank you. Thank you so much. Of course. Thank you guys so much for listening to this episode of Not Skinny but Not Fat. Follow me on Instagram at Not Skinny but Not Fat. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any episodes. Rate the podcast that you love so much on Apple Podcast and write a little review.

If you tell me you did, I'll give you a big virtual smoooo. Thank you guys so much for listening, and I'll see you next Tuesday. Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.