The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - Mission: Impossibly Dramatic

Episode Date: May 23, 2025

Ashley had a run-in with one of the biggest movie stars of all time and you won’t believe what happened! Hear all the red carpet stories from the Mission: Impossible premiere and find out how far Ben would go to meet a celebrity. Plus, Ben and Ashley share their Memorial Day weekend plans, and we get an answer once and for all… how tall is Tom Cruise? Follow The Almost Famous Podcast on Instagram!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly, and now I'm seriously suspicious. Wait a minute, Sam. Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, luckily, it's back to school week on the OK Storytime podcast, so we'll find out soon. This person writes, my boyfriend's been hanging out with his young professor a lot. He doesn't think it's a problem, but I don't trust her. Now he's insisting we get to know each other, but I just want her gone.

Now, hold up. Isn't that against school policy? That seems inappropriate. Maybe find out how it ends by listening to the OK Storytime podcast and the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hello, it's Daniel Fischel. Writer Strong. And Will Ferdell from PodMeets World. We are back in Las Vegas and giving the people what they want, a full week of Y2K content.

Tell me why. Well, for the Backstreet Boys residency at Sphere, of course. We joke and say this is our second marriage, but it takes a lot of communication. Plus, it's carrot top, baby. And finally, Ashley Simpson-Ross joins us to talk about her upcoming sold-out Vegas residency. Listen to PodMeets World on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. December 29th, 1975, LaGuardia Airport. The holiday rush, parents hauling luggage, kids gripping their new Christmas toys.

Then everything changed. There's been a bombing at the TWA. terminal, just a chaotic, chaotic scene. In its wake, a new kind of enemy emerged, terrorism. Listen to the new season of Law and Order Criminal Justice System on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Jay Shetty, and I'm the host of the on-purpose podcast, and today I'm joined by one of the greatest athletes of all time, Novak Djokovic.

He's won 14 grand slams in a glittering career. Novak, Djokovic. When you reach your 30, you start counting your days to your retirement. I'm 38 this year. How long can I push my own limits? Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hi, my name is Enya Yumanzoor. And I'm Drew Phillips.

And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom. If you're a crime junkie, And you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you. But if you have unmedicated ADHD... Oh my God, perfect. And want to hear people with mental illness, psychobabble. Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you.

Open your free IHeartRadio app. Search Emergency Intercom and listen now. This is the Ben and Ashley I, Almost Famous Podcast with IHartRadio. Welcome to the Almost Famous Podcast. It's Memorial Day, well, almost Memorial Day. It's an exciting weekend for all of us, kind of the start of Lake season, if you're from the Midwest like I am.

Ashley, though, is already doing cool things. She's already been up to cool things. If you watch or follow Jared and Ashley on Instagram, if you don't, you should. They just got back from the Mission Impossible premiere, which I have to imagine is a dream come true. It's your second time, though. So is it as cool this?

time, Ashley. We went to the last premiere as press. But it doesn't really matter because it's being at the red carpet and being at the event that is the cool part. And I'd say it was just as cool this time. Our moment with Tom, this time was so sweet, so awesome. I will say that last time it was like unbelievable because we had such a crazy intimate conversation with him last time and this one was in more of like a meet and greet format, but both were amazing experiences. The, okay, so this is your second time meeting Tom Cruise. If not, definitely close to the most well-known actor in our lifetime. The first time was when?

I'm blanking on this. The first time was two years ago. Pretty much exactly. Okay, why? At the dead reckoning premiere. So this is the final reckoning. But you didn't see the movie the first time. You just happened to meet Tom.

Well, we had, right. It was like, last time we got to be part of a private Q&A session that only like very, very high up influencers were invited to. But because one of our friends at Paramount, she's become a friend, she was, she's one of the publicists at Paramount, knows that Jared and I have such an organic true passion for Tom and his movies. that she was like, if you want to come and watch, like we can get you guys like two seats in the influencer era, um, era area. And then we got to have a little bit of, um,

a moment with him last time. That was not supposed to happen. Uh, some people, uh, yeah, exactly. I made some eye contact and I moved my way over there like an expert fan girl. And some people weren't thrilled.

But Tom did not. care that those people were and thrilled he had such a nice conversation with us and this time we knew we were going to be able to meet him it was a scheduled meet and greet with some select influencers including dylan effron who i was fan girling over didn't tell him even though i had it had it in my soul to tell him that his brother is like my hall pass um even though i don't just really believe in a kiss hall pass perhaps And then Harry Josie was there. And then, of course, Hannah Godwin and Dylan Barber.

I think fans would be interested. I'm intrigued. How do you, I mean, you just mentioned that you have a publicist friend. But how do you actually get invited to these specific events? What does that process look like? Well, Jared and I, when we lived in L.A., we'd have, you know, influencer events for certain movies. you know, we'd get invited to certain screenings

just because The Bachelor and our following. And one of the things that we got asked to do via The Bachelor, I think it was Bachelor-related. I think it was one of those commercials that they kind of, you know, they tie into the show or tie into the commercials.

We, one was a Paramount movie. And through that, we got connected with Paramount's publicity. And that's how we've been able to go to like Scream Premier as Mission and Mission Impossible and had like a special Top Gun screening.

Ah, okay. Are you wanting to come and be involved because we'd love that, but you're not like so much of a, you're not a celebrity dude and you're not a movie dude. Yeah. Like I would meet Tom Cruise and be so excited because I think his work is fantastic.

But like honestly, I don't know if I would travel outside of Denver to go do it. Like I think that's how much excitement I would have. Yeah. Yeah, I guess. I understand that from you. Because, like, there's many actors that I wouldn't travel for pretty much most. Who, is there anybody that you would travel for?

Celebrity-wise? Yeah. Even a concert, say. Like, go to a concert outside of state. That's interesting. I think Jason Isbell, I would consider it if somebody invited me to it. Nate Bergatsy, to see his comedy show, I would definitely consider. consider that. That's probably, I mean, Amos Lee, but Amos Lee hasn't came up with new music

in a while. So no, like, can't think of anybody. I only know Amos Lee through you and you having him on your season. And the other guys, I don't know. See? Wow. It's very interesting. I've never, I've never been that into it. I mean, Anthony Bourdain made his soul rest in peace. I would have traveled across the world to hang out with him. No. But, like, that would be it. When people ask me, like, who are my four people to have dinner with? I oftentimes have a hard time answering it.

But Tom Cruise is somebody. Tom Brady is obviously one that your family has traveled long and far to see. Tom Cruise. Is there anybody else on that list? I remember Jared having an infatuation with Rob Thomas. I don't know if that's still a thing. oh of course it is but like he's friends with rob thomas now like they like literally casually rob thomas texted jared last week so we still will go you know hours hours or so for rob

and if rob happened to be in virginia and we're like oh we should go to virginia to like hang out my parents and we would make the trip around that time yeah i would say i i've when i was a lot younger i would travel way further. Like we used to go, my mom would take us on airplanes to American Idol concerts because when the American Idol's, the season would go on tour,

we would go to at least three shows. And it was the most fun summer trips. It was like Camp Rock for my family and my friends. And then I'll still travel for Jonas Brothers. I'll go to, you know, four hours. I'll go to New York. So that's three hours.

you know and Boston's an hour and a half and like you know anything that it would be convenient for my friends and I'd all go to and have an experience together your parents really when uh Charles Ling which you haven't listened that episode we just interviewed Charles it's out it's great his advice to me as a girl dad was to I mean in a sense he said a lot wiser like say yes to their dreams and what they want your parents definitely said yes oh my gosh my mom we there was one month where we went to seven Jonas concerts in one month and my mom was there for all of them. We were at the age where like we could go she stayed at the hotel and then we would go to the mass and do our garden shows. But then there were a few like in random ass upstate New York where she'd go to

the parents room where they'd have that to the parent wouldn't have to have a ticket. It was the greatest times ever. And then also let me just tell you and my mom had a great time too. My mom had such a good time. Like she's got great memories of just traveling with us

girls and, like, peeing our pants in the back of the car, like, with my friends telling stories. I was working fish fries during that time of my life. I know. Now, the cost of all of it, I have to say, you know, not always the most thrilling, but the memories were worth it. All right. So should I tell you about, like, our interaction with Tom Cruise now?

Yeah. I want to hear it all. Just lay it on us. Tell us everything. I also want to put in a note. I know you think the same. so I'll just say it for both of us. Dawson was looking so good.

Oh, thank you. So cute. It was an incredible viewing experience to see Dawson in that light. So yes. Biggs. Let us know. Everything. Yes, okay.

December 29th, 1975, LaGuardia Airport. The holiday rush. Parents hauling luggage, kids gripping their new Christmas toys. Then, at 6.33 p.m., everything changed. There's been a bombing at the TWA terminal. Apparently, the explosion actually impelled metal, glass. The injured were being loaded into ambulances. Just a chaotic, chaotic scene.

In its wake, a new kind of enemy emerged, and it was here to stay. Terrorism. Law and order criminal justice system is back. In season two, we're turning our focus to a threat that hides in plain sight. That's harder to predict and even harder to stop. Listen to the new season of Law and Order Criminal Justice System on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly, and now I'm seriously suspicious. Oh, wait a minute, Sam. Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit.

Well, Dakota, it's back to school week on the OK Storytime podcast, so we'll find out soon. This person writes, my boyfriend has been hanging out with his young professor a lot. He doesn't think it's a problem, but I don't trust her. Now, he's insisting we get to know each other, but I just want her gone. Now, hold up. Isn't that against school policy? That sounds totally inappropriate. Well, according to this person, this is her boyfriend's former professor, and they're the same age. And it's even more likely that they're cheating. He insists there's nothing between them.

I mean, do you believe him? Well, he's certainly trying to get this person to believe him because he now wants them both to meet. So, do we find out if this person's boyfriend really cheated with his professor or not? To hear the explosive finale, listen to the OK Storytime podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hello, it's Daniel Fischel. Rider Strong.

And Wilfredel from Podmeet's World. And we're bringing you Viva Las Content. That's right. We are back in Las Vegas, the city of sin, and giving the people, what they want, a full week of Y2K content. Wait, we're back in Vegas? Tell me, Y. Well, for the Backstreet Boys residency at Sphere, of course.

We sat down with Kevin Richardson and A.J. McLean just minutes before they took the stage, and our very own Wilfredel basically became the newest member of the band. Boy band, please. Plus, the man who has the longest running comedy show on the strip joins us and gets his props. It's Carrot Top, baby. And finally, we all end up. L-O-V-E-Hur, Ashley Simpson-Ross joins us to talk about her upcoming sold-out Vegas residency. It's a full week of nostalgic interviews you don't want to miss.

Listen to PodMeets World on the I-Hart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Jay Shetty, and I'm the host of the on-purpose podcast, and today I'm joined by one of the greatest athletes of all-time Novak Djokovic. The world's number one male tennis player. He's won 14 grand slam. in a glittering career. Novak Djokovic! You've been through so many injuries, losses.

I always showed himself. What has Novak Djokovic done? What goes through your mind when you lose? I just want to be left alone. What has it taken to become Novak Djokovic? It's a consistent practice. It's prayer work, mindfulness, meditation, conscious breathing. It requires more responsibility from you on a daily basis

to prepare yourself for the biggest battle. When you reach your 30, you start counting your days to your retirement. I'm 38 this year. How far can I go? How long can I push my own limits? Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Have you ever wished for a change but weren't sure how to make it? Maybe you felt stuck in a job, a place, or even a relationship.

I'm Emily Tish Sussman, and on she pivots, I dive into the inspiring pivots of women who have taken big leaps in their lives and careers. I'm Gretchen Whitmer, Jody Sweeten, Monica Penn, Elaine Welteroff. I'm Jessica Voss. And that's when I was like, I got to go. I don't know how, but that kicked off the pivot of how to make the transition.

Learn how to get comfortable pivoting, because your life is going to be full of them. Every episode gets real about the why behind these changes and gives you the inspiration and maybe the push to make your next pivot. Listen to these women and more on She Pivots now on the I Heart Radio app

Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. So let me just briefly tell you about the last time because he was, it was just so funny because last time when the publicist was trying to take Tom away from us, and Jared and I were explaining that Jerry McGuire was a movie that I heard Jared quoting the first day that I ever met him. And it wasn't just like you had me at hello or. like show me the money like he was doing deep cuts and it being one of my favorite movies and jerry mcguire having the personality um of somebody like just like that i've i'm so drawn to i feel like jared is probably closest to jerry mcguire of all of tom cruz's characters and when i heard jared

quote that movie like the first day that we ever met i was like i am so screwed and then we ended up reciting that scene at our wedding, which you may remember, like, yes, during the service at the church, the actual ceremony. I do remember that, yeah. We had a reading from Jerry McGuire. So the first time we told Tom about that, and he was very touched, and he was like, this is why I make movies to inspire this kind of romance. It was just like so many things he said.

he was like, the world needs more people like you. And we're like, what? I know. It was so great. So it was truly just one of the most mind-boggling memories of our whole lives. Anyway, so then fast forward to this. We knew that like we could never beat that moment. But we wanted to bring Dawson because Dawson is a fan of Top Gun. He watches Top Gun Maverick often.

He cannot watch any of the other movies. We have shown him clips from censored clips from Jerry McGuire. And he thinks, show me the money and help me, help you, are absolutely hilarious. And, you know, we have a picture of him with Tom Brady on his first birthday. We're like, you know, it's our second time meeting him. Let's see if we can get him to come to the meet and greet with us. And he did. And it was so sweet.

We told Tom that our, that Hayden's middle name is Cruz after him. And he was very touched by that. And then he showed Dawson his stunts. You don't think that's creep. Wait, let me pause you there. Well, Dawson's middle name is Brady. Okay? So Dawson's middle name is Brady.

I mean, I personally hear that. I mean, I like it because, like, it's a good name. But, like, if I heard somebody say that to me, like, I don't know if I'd be touched. I think I'd be like, like, you really are obsessed with me. I think that Tom Cruise is, like, such an entity that, like, it doesn't really face him. Now, if you were to tell Amos, that you named Winnie's middle name Amos

Like maybe that would No, he would still love it I think he's I think Obviously you and I would be freaked out As somebody said like I named her middle name Ashley Or I'm named her middle name Higgins Sure We'd be like what? That's so crazy

That's so awesome, but what? This just seems to be so I don't know It's a little more sense It's absolutely But it's proof that like like, we are invested. So he showed Dawson the stunt. He was like, see how I'm out

here on the wing? He's like, you like planes? I'm out here on the wing here. And I need to get into the cockpit right here. It was very cute. Anyway, I could go on and on, I suppose, but that was our meet and greet. And then my sister picked up Dawson before Jared and I headed to the movie,

which is great. And you should definitely go see it. And the plane stunt, which has been teased for about three years now, really lives up. It is the craziest stunt you'll ever see, ever. I can't even imagine a stunt. Like, he's just, he is a stunt man. Like, there's, he's probably the most impressive stunt man there is. Now, one of our producers had a question of how does Tom Cruise smell. That's not a question I would ask, but I'm, I'm laying it on our

producer because it was a question asked out of curiosity. So give us your take. I guess let's answer in a few ways. How does he smell? Is he as handsome in person as you imagine? I look at the picture and I would never have taken the picture Tom Cruise did because Jared's looking so handsome that it almost overshadows Tom Cruise, which I feel like is something that should never happen. But, I mean, goodness, Jared can't help it that he's beautiful.

Well, Jared also has like a similarity. There's something there. I can't put my finger on what it is. it might even be their voice or their cadence but there's something very Tom Cruisey about Jared and I get messages

about this all the time whenever we talk about Tom Cruise on Instagram people are like you do know that Jared is like him and I was like yes alright so we don't know what he smells like

because I didn't I didn't smell a smell okay that I would have stood out if he had a potent clone but it was not there he just smells like a human which doesn't really smell and I will give you a fill-in for the fact that I don't know what he smells like. He does not come across

as short as everybody thinks that he would. Everybody's always like, is he as short as he seems or you know, he's notoriously like five, six? I don't know whether he has lifts in his shoes, which he very well, very may well have. But both times he's never come across to me as a short man average, a little bit below average, but nothing to be like, holy moly, what a short guy. In my heels, he's like, just right there with me. Okay. I have always heard Tom Cruise is very short.

Now, to summarize this whole experience, this is your second time. There's no more Mission Impossible's. Would you do it again if you got the invite, would you and Jared take a night out and go see Tom Cruise? Oh, we will be there whenever they call. It's beautiful. And oh my gosh, we're already telling Dawson that when Top Gun 3 comes out, he will be at the premiere.

This is beautiful, Ashley. Beautiful. Ben thinks I'm a psycho. Ben, what are you doing this weekend? I do think you're a psycho. I don't get it. I always have with this stuff. I've always thought that your fan girl dumb

is something I, like, cannot wrap my head around. I know. but I've also told you that I think I'm on the outside looking in with this because I know since you talk about I know so many people who are like I mean the Taylor Swift craze really show me people love this stuff and they love the fall of these people they'll fly across the US the world to see these tours now look at that those people for Taylor will travel to France to sit in the nose blades no as I'm saying I do think I'm not right I'm not like claiming that I have the superior, like, stancier. I just don't get it. But it's great. And I'm so happy that you guys had this evening together. And I'm so, you know what else, Ashley?

What makes this even more when I say beautiful? It is beautiful. Is that you found a Jared who also's down for this stuff. Yeah, I know. Like, I found a man who cannot wait to go see the Backstreet Boys at the Sphere this summer. Who says that? What guy wants to do that? Nobody says that.

It's beautiful. All right, Ben, what are you doing this weekend? So I have a huge weekend, something that I invited Jared to. Is it a golf? Oh, he declined me on. It is off. He did not go climbing. The man, he would love to do it.

He would have said yes to Tom Cruise. If I was Tom Cruise, he would say us. Okay, so here's what we're doing. And you're going to hear more about this because I do want to try to get an episode going after the fact. On Sunday, Jessica. this weekend is going to go and hang out with her family in Nashville for a few days and then come back to Denver, which is great. She's going to bring Winnie. They're going to lay in the pool. They're going to just hang out. On Sunday then, so we kind of are overlapping

a little bit. I leave for French Lick, Indiana, home of Larry Bird, one of the greatest basketball players of all time. And a Celtic. And a Celtic. And I am going to French Lick and I have invited 40 of my friends to come on a golf trip. We are golfing at French Lick and at their courses. Wells Adams is going to be there. Joey is going to be there. Grocery store Joe is going to be there. Zach Clark is going to be there.

Oh, wow. Dean is going to be there. It's going to be a great experience. And it's friends of mine from elementary school, from middle school, from high school, from college, from my first job out of college to the bachelor world to post-batchelor world. It is a mixed bag of friends. I'm the only one that knows everybody that's going

and most people probably will know four to five other people in this huge group. But I've been working on that, setting that up. And so we're leaving and everybody's meeting us in Southern Indiana for a nice little golf trip. That's so fun.

Well, that's quite a crew. Jared's definitely going to have FOMO. I'm sorry. He's going to Virginia. We haven't been there since March. Not that doesn't actually sound very long, but... Less than two months. We got a lot going on on our plate.

Yeah. I get it. I haven't seen my parents in two months. I have to get it. It's a necessity. Well, I actually saw them two weeks ago. My cousin's wedding. But yeah, so that's what I'm going to be doing.

It's going to be great. You all are going to your parents' house to hang out for a few days. which is always fun, always something you look forward to. But yeah, we both have really exciting weekends. And I hope everybody listening has a really great weekend doing whatever they're doing. It's usually the weekend for barbecues. It's the weekend to get outside to start messing around in the yard, to clean out the garage, to go to a brewery,

to do whatever you do on this holiday. I hope it's a great time. And if you get the chance to be around family, my dad is going, my father-in-law is going, which is super exciting. my brother-in-law is coming to French Lake. So I'm going to be around family at some level too. Yeah, that's what we got going on. All right.

Well, Ben, I hope you have the best time. And we will recap that golf trip when you get back. We'll put it in our next headlines episode. Well, be some stories we can share. Probably not share. It's going to be great. All right. Until then, guys, I've been Ashley.

And I've been Ben. We'll talk to you soon. Follow the Ben and Ashley I, almost famous podcasts on iHeartRadio or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. a lot. He doesn't think it's a problem, but I don't trust her. Now he's insisting we get to know each other, but I just want her gone. Hold up. Isn't that against school policy? That seems inappropriate. Maybe find out how it ends by listening to the OK Storytime podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hello, it's Daniel

official, writer Strong, and Wilfredel from PodMeets World. We are back in Las Vegas and giving the people what they want, a full week of Y2K content. Tell me why. Well, for the Backstreet Boys residency, it's fear, of course. We joke and say this is our second marriage, but it takes a lot of communication. Plus, it's carrot top, baby. And finally, Ashley Simpson-Ross joins us to talk about her upcoming sold-out Vegas residency. Listen to PodMeets World on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

December 29th, 1975, LaGuardia Airport. The holiday rush, parents hauling luggage, kids gripping their new Christmas toys. Then everything changed. There's been a bombing at the TWA terminal, just a chaotic, chaotic scene. In its wake, a new kind of enemy emerged, terrorism. Listen to the new season of Law and Order Criminal Justice System on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Jay Shetty, and I'm the host of the On Purpose podcast, and today I'm joined by one of the greatest athletes of all time, Novak Djokovic.

He's won 14 grand slams in a glittering career. Novak Djokovic! When you reach your 30, you start counting your days to your retirement. I'm 38 this year. How long can I push my own limits? Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, my name is Enya Humanzor.

And I'm Drew Phillips. And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom. If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you. But if you have unmedicated ADHD... Oh my God, perfect. And want to hear people with mental illness, psycho babble. Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you.

Open your free Iheart radio app. Search emergency intercom and listen now. This is an IHeart podcast.