Ashley Park Shape Cover Interview Winter 2022

Overcoming cancer as a teenager, Ashley Park, star of "Emily in Paris," made a promise to herself that nothing would stand between her and her aspirations - and she has certainly lived up to it. The charisma and vivacity of Park in Emily In Paris, which returns to Netflix for its third season on December 21, is captivatingly infectious. Her natural flair makes singing, acting, and even strolling down the cobblestoned streets of Paris in high heels seem effortless. Nonetheless, it's crucial to note that Park has put in an enormous amount of effort to reach this point in her career, maintaining her determination and zeal even during challenging periods. Despite her relentless hard work, Park confesses that she never anticipated achieving such immense success with the series. "When we were filming the first season, we had no inkling of how deeply it would permeate pop culture," reveals Park during our conversation for her Shape cover story. As the wait for Season three heightens, it's abundantly clear that viewers have not only developed a fondness for the show but are also incredibly intrigued by Park's character, Mindy Chen. For those unfamiliar, Mindy is the candid, humorous billionaire heiress who shares a strained relationship with her father due to her pursuit of a singing career — and holds a close friendship with the titular Emily, portrayed by Lily Collins, who is her best friend in real life. 

Evidence of the deep affection fans have for Mindy is clear: Her trendy wardrobe has sparked fashion movements, TikTok overflows with clips of admirers lauding her persona, and tunes she performs on the program have soared to the top of most streamed songs from television. What's intriguing is that Park reciprocates this love for playing Mindy, matching the enthusiasm viewers express when they see her character. “I’ve garnered much wisdom from [Mindy],” Park mentions. “She possesses an exceptional skill to be a secure, non-prejudicial person while remaining truthful and unafraid to specify her needs. She refrains from withholding anything.”  Emulating her role, Park doesn't hesitate in pushing boundaries. During her chat with Shape, the 31-year-old was frank about her professional journey, the influence of cancer on her wellness and health perspective, and her sources of inspiration across various life spheres.

Embracing the Beauty In Life

You can’t talk about Emily In Paris without talking about the fashion. The show is a kaleidoscope of both vintage and designer finds. From a rhinestone-encrusted bustier to a hot pink houndstooth mini dress, Mindy is not afraid to stand out. And the bold style choices on the show have taught Park that fashion can be a wonderful tool for self-expression.

Though she didn't always have her roots in the world of fashion, she's come to find it as an essential expression of self. It's evolved from mere vanity to a communicative tool, wherein each day presents an opportunity to project a unique version of oneself. The bravery that comes with such personal expression is what truly defines fashion. Likewise, her journey in the realm of beauty has been transformative. With a background in theater and a Tony nomination for her portrayal of Gretchen Weiners in Broadway's "Mean Girls," she used to perceive makeup and skincare as means to embody a character. However, Emily in Paris's hair and makeup team helped her see these practices as more than just character transformations. They could also serve as self-care rituals. She admits to being an avid skincare enthusiast now, thanks to her newfound interest in products like those from FaceGym. Her fascination extends to their face massager, which helps stimulate the numerous ignored muscles in one's face, promoting relaxation. She's also fond of gua sha tools, useful for facial massage, further adding to her facial relaxation techniques.

Skin-care wisdom aside, Park says she’s grateful that her Emily and Paris team celebrates her authentic beauty. “As an Asian person, to have people who really hear and see me and want to enhance my features? It’s very special,” she shares.  

Picking Projects That Matter

In the upcoming Netflix series Beef, Korean American actress Park is set to share screen space with Steven Yeun and Ali Wong. She remains guarded about her role specifics but indicates it's a departure from her character Mindy. What makes the dramedy special for Park, however, is that it is guided by a Korean American showrunner. She recognizes numerous familiar aspects rooted in her own experiences of being raised in a Korean American family. The importance of participating in a project led by Asian Americans was a compelling factor for her involvement.

Indeed, numerous admirers of Emily in Paris have highlighted the significant impact of witnessing an Asian American woman in such a pivotal role on the series. Park is aware that throughout her youth she was not frequently represented in popular media - a fact that has been both motivating and inspiring to her professionally. Nevertheless, she admits to occasionally struggling with accepting such accolades. “Obviously, I’m grateful,” she shares in response to comments from supporters. “The journey has been remarkable for me. To be honest, there was a span when I believed I had fulfilled my responsibility if viewers forgot my Asian heritage after a scene. However, then it dawned on me that people can recognize my Asian identity and still feel a connection to the character." At present, Park is more inclined to confidently embrace her characters. “With Mindy, I take pride in the fact that audiences get to see this fabulous character in this highly watched show who is Asian — a sight I didn't witness growing up,” she says. "And the increased familiarity with that is crucial.”

Finding Motivation In an Unexpected Place

Much of the last two years for Park has been go-go-go, she says. But to be fair, her life wasn’t exactly calm before Emily in Paris became Netflix’s most popular comedy series of 2020 when season 1 premiered. Park had already appeared on Broadway in shows including "Mamma Mia!" and "Mean Girls" and was used to a grueling schedule that often involved appearing in up to eight or nine shows a week.

What's the driving force behind her relentless commitment? A significant part of it can be attributed to her battle with cancer during her adolescent years. At the tender age of 15, Park was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a form of blood and bone marrow cancer. Her life for almost a year consisted of arduous chemotherapy sessions and a long list of do's and don'ts in the hospital.

Park recounts an instance where she yearned to savor some grapes while receiving treatment; however, due to rigid dietary restrictions, this simple wish remained unfulfilled. This experience imbued in her a fierce determination and motivation that she now channels into her demanding schedule.

Beating cancer was an intense and formative experience, to say the least. In past interviews, Park has said she turned to the theater because it allowed her to forget about her health issues and become someone else. 

"Post-cancer, I pledged not to let it influence my existence," she states. "I didn't want it to characterize me. People were overly concerned about my wellbeing, and I took the role of reassuring them that 'I'm okay. Don't fret over me. I'll chase what I desire and accomplish it.'" Her unwavering spirit and determination have undeniably helped her prevail, and Park has demonstrated that cancer couldn't deter her ambitions. Yet, when asked about how the insights from her youth and early adulthood have molded her perspectives on health and wellness in her mature years, Park confesses that her Broadway stint influences her outlook more than her encounter with cancer. "When you're consistently performing, you comprehend that your body is your medium - it's your tool," she articulates. "Therefore, it's essential to respect it as such and maintain its well-being." 

Staying Healthy — Mind, Body, and Soul

One of the ways Park takes care of herself is through fitness. “I have to move every day,” she says. “That can be hard with my filming schedule, so I’ve learned that to stay motivated, I have to adjust what type of physical activity can fit into my life at any given moment.”

When it comes to keeping fit, Park is pretty flexible - she has tried her hand at a variety of exercises. "I've had phases where I was heavily into yoga, cycling, and running," she recounts. "But I've always had a special place in my heart for dancing."

Recently, she has found a new love in Pilates. "It’s an athletic workout but low impact," she describes. "After every session, I am drenched in sweat and feel much stronger. It reminds me of dancing because it requires the use of various muscles and promotes a deep connection between the mind and body."

While some people find motivation in group fitness classes, Park prefers private sessions as they help keep her on track. "In group settings, it's easier to get away with doing less because you can hide behind others," she shares. However, during her one-on-one sessions with her trainer Brandon Perry, she feels more accountable for her performance.

Park shares that she manages to maintain her health by adhering to a balanced diet primarily composed of plant-based foods. However, due to her anemic condition resulting from her cancer journey, she occasionally indulges in a succulent steak. Intriguingly, Park's tolerance for dairy and gluten varies depending on her geographical location. She casually mentions, "In the United States, my body doesn't react well to these food groups." Yet, she finds it strange that her reaction dramatically changes when she's in Europe, where she can relish an entire basket of bread and copious amounts of cheese without encountering any issues.

Park emphasizes that maintaining her mental wellness is just as vital as looking after her physical wellbeing. "I feel my most content and complete self when I'm in the company of good individuals," she expresses. One such individual is her colleague Collins. The pair portray friends on the series and share an equally strong bond behind the scenes. Park expresses, "Experiencing this phase of my life with a close friend has brought profound significance". She continues, "The camaraderie you see between Mindy and Emily on-screen mirrors the real-life connection Lily and I share - it's as if we've discovered the missing pieces of our souls in each other."

And while Park knows how important it is to take care of your mental wellness, she admits she’s still learning to put herself first. “I’m such a people pleaser and always want to make sure other people are okay,” she admits. “But as my life gets crazier and crazier, I’m understanding the value of my time and space. I've been trying to set more boundaries to make sure I’m making my well-being a priority.” 

From surviving cancer to getting the role of a lifetime on a hit show, Park doesn’t take one minute of her life for granted — and these experiences only serve to motivate her to keep living life to the fullest. “I am so grateful for every opportunity,” she emphasizes. “Taking care of myself so I can fully enjoy every minute of this life is very important to me.”

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