INTERVIEW: Ashley Park

Interview by- FOLKLORE.

Award-winning swimmer, State champion in cross-country and track, Miss Korea USA 2014-15 and the current Miss Asia USA 2015-16 and finally an actress who’s appeared on TV (Days Of Our Lives & Last Life) and movies such as Terror Tales, Trapdoor and Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter. Yep I guess some people are just born with the ‘Talent-Gene’, born talent and good-looks alone will only get you so far. Determination, hard work and intelligence are a must if you are to succeed on multiple levels and forge a career in the film industry and this lady has it in abundance. Ladies and Gents I have the great pleasure in presenting Ashley Park!

Hey Ashley, welcome to The Slaughtered Bird. Thanks for taking time out to chat to us.

Of course, I’m happy to! Thank you for having me.

Before we get onto all the horror related stuff, let’s get all the Miss Asia USA questions out of the way, as I’m aware you probably get asked the same generic questions all the time?

No problem. I enjoy answering any questions that come my way!

Firstly, congratulations on winning Miss Asia USA 2015-2016. Deep down, it must be extremely surreal having such a title?

Thank you so much! It’s very exciting. Seeing as this was my first pageant experience, I am incredibly grateful to have been granted the title.

I’ll be honest, it’s not hugely showcased over here in the UK, but I’m fully aware it’s a crazy big deal in the states?

I completely understand that! Miss Asia USA is owned and operated by Virgelia Productions, Inc. here in Los Angeles, and is widely publicized in the Southern California area. However, it has been around for 28 years now, and brings in delegates from overseas and from all throughout the United States.

When you become Miss Asia USA, how does it change your life and what are your obligations whilst you hold the title? I’m guessing endless chat shows, interviews, and public appearances? Does it ever get to be too much?

Yes, Miss Asia USA has quite a few duties, including interviews, charity events and many public appearances. I enjoy being busy, and I have high hopes to represent the Miss Asia USA organization to the best of my ability this year. I wouldn’t say that it’s ever too much! I love working hard, and I am always striving to improve in every way.

Before you were Miss Asia USA you were Miss Korea USA 2014. Before that you were an award winning swimmer and a state champion in cross-country and have starred on the soap ‘Days of Our Lives’. Is there anything you can’t do?! Ha-Ha

Well, I’m definitely human, so there are many things I’m certain I would not be very good at. I am very competitive, though, so I do generally like to stick to things I want to be proficient at doing. I was a competitive athlete for many years before I decided to focus solely on my acting career.

I’ve heard you’ve delved into the world of horror and have shot 4 films that are due to be released over the course of the year?

Yes, I’ve definitely delved into the world of indie films as of late! I absolutely love it. I started off with the feature film All-American Bikini Car Wash, which was released late last year. I believe it is actually being released in the UK as we speak! I moved on to the film noir Day for Night, which is a film noir thriller. It will be released in the coming months. I also shot Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter last year, which will be released in the coming months as well. It is a desert sci-fi directed by Neil Johnson, and delves into a post-apocalyptic world after an AI takeover. The next feature coming up is Trapdoor, which I am preparing to shoot over the next couple of months. It is a desert sci-fi in the vein of The Descent. I would call it a female-focused thriller that blends action sports, sci-fi and horror together in the most amazing way.

Why horror? Was it always something you’ve been interested in? Or forgive me for saying this, but was it a genre that the transition was easier to break into? I know a lot of horror directors would be ecstatic at having the most beautiful woman on the planet in their movies?

That’s very kind of you to say! I definitely have an interest in sci-fi and horror. A lot of TV shows these days are gritty, dramatic, and blend sci-fi and futuristic elements. I think this wave of trendy superhero shows and shows like Game of Thrones, Orphan Black, Humans, Continuum and Penny Dreadful have inspired my interest in more gritty, action-oriented roles. Whether it’s a period piece or a futuristic show or movie, I really love the excitement of horror and sci-fi.

Do you worry about being taken seriously as an actress because of the pageant stuff?

I take myself very seriously as an actress, so I believe that’s what counts. You have to have confidence in yourself and your abilities first and foremost. I believe that if you truly believe in yourself, it’s only a matter of time before someone else will too.

What was appealing about the films that you’ve made and what roles excite you?

Usually the first thing that has to appeal to me as an actress is the script. Once I read the script and get a sense of the character I’m being considered for or offered, I make the decision as to whether or not I want to take on the role. The films I mentioned earlier all had scripts that appealed to me in one way or another, and I was very excited to take on each and every role.

What’s your earliest memory of horror films?

I don’t think I watched very many horror films as a child. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t allowed to! I think my earliest memory of a horror film that traumatized me for life was probably Child’s Play. I’m not sure who got me to watch that, but I’m certain my parents would have not approved! Dolls and children always terrify me in horror films. I am so easily frightened, which is probably why I can pull off horror films as an actress. Suspending reality is no problem for me!

Child’s Play is a great introduction to the horror world. What scares you?

Besides dolls and children in horror films? Just about any horror film scares me, but I love them anyway. If we’re going to get serious, though, I am absolutely terrified of snakes.

Snakes? haha, well I guess you’d be fantastic in Snakes on a Plane 2 then, that’s piloted by a doll or a small child!

What’s your favourite horror film and why?

I’m not sure I have a favourite, but I would have to say the films that stand out to me the most would have to be Paranormal Activity, The Grudge, The Ring, What Lies Beneath, and The Conjuring. The common theme is that supernatural element, which I really love.

Ashley I wish you all the very best with your new films and thank you so much in taking the time to chat. This has also been great for my ego as how many guys can say they’ve chatted to Miss Asia USA? And please spread The Slaughtered Bird love to all your famous chums. Thank you & take care.

Thank you so much! It was such a pleasure speaking with you!

Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter is currently in post-production and due for release in 2016

Interview by- FOLKLORE