Exclusive Interview with Actress Ashlei Foushee on Her Role in the Film “On Fire”

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Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri Ashlei Foushée is a Los Angeles based actor, writer, and producer. Growing up, she knew her passion lied in working in the arts. She trained in classical ballet and performed professionally with the Moscow Ballet Theatre. Ashlei has also worked for the St. Louis International Film Festival and was a counselor for Washington University’s Diversity Arts Program, a program that provides arts education for underprivileged youth in the St. Louis area. After moving to Southern California, Ashlei received her B.F.A. in Theatre Performance from Chapman University as well as a B.A. in Screenwriting from the University’s prestigious Dodge College of Film and Media Studies where she graduated with Latin honors and was named an O.L. Halsell Scholar. This gave her the opportunity to be mentored by the Academy Award winning producer, Cathy Schulman. After graduation, Ashlei joined the nonprofit organization, Kids In The Spotlight, a program that provides film and arts education to foster children in the Los Angeles area. As an actress, Ashlei’s on-screen credits include the SXSW award winning films Jinn (2018) and B*** Ass (2022). Her recurring TV roles include HBO’s Ballers (2019) and CBS’s SWAT (2020). Not stopping there, she can recently be seen in dark comedy, A Little White Lie starring alongside Michael Shannon, Don Johnson and Kate Hudson. Her upcoming acting project, On Fire, is a gritty drama based on the true-life Paradise Fires starring alongside Peter Facinelli, Asher Angel, and Lance Henriksen.

When Ashlei isn’t working, she enjoys volunteering regularly at local soup kitchens feeding the less fortunate and has done catering for Habit Against Humanity (a program she is passionate for). She continues to prioritize her time to help those in need.

Hi Ashlei, welcome to OLC! Can you tell us about your journey and how you discovered your passion for the arts, and how you were discovered?

I’ve always been a performer. My dad used to tell stories of me putting on one woman shows to an audience of stuffed animals. I was very blessed to have parents that saw that early passion and supported it. My mom put me in dance, and I was seriously involved in ballet until I was a teenager. I eventually attended college for Theater and Film at Chapman University in Orange County, California. No big discovery moment. The rest is actually pretty boring. It was a lot of auditions and hard work until I started booking jobs. I’ve slowly but surely built up my career to what it is today. 

You star in the film “On Fire”, can you share your experience working on “On Fire” and how you prepared for your role as “Kayla” in this gritty drama?

It was a great experience. Our writer and co-director Nick Lyon was so supportive on set and was very open to collaboration and improvisation. This is definitely the most adult role I’ve played in my career thus far and it was very challenging mentally and emotionally. I did a lot of research on first responders and spoke at length with a friend of mine who used to work in an emergency call center to understand the demands of the job so I could bring as much truth to Kayla as possible.

You’ve had the opportunity to work alongside talented actors like Peter Facinelli, Asher Angel, and Lance Henriksen in “On Fire.” What was it like collaborating with them on set?

They are all so great. Unfortunately, the majority of my scenes take place in isolation so I didn’t get to shoot with them as much as I would have liked but it’s been amazing to get to know them on the back end as we promote the film.

”On Fire” is based on the real-life story of the Paradise fires. How did you approach portraying such a dramatic and real-life event in your performance?

I did my best to bring as much honesty to my character as possible. I made sure I completely opened myself up and did as much research as I could. At the end of the day, I want my portrayal to honor the real life first responders who saved lives during the Paradise fires and continue to save lives every day. With the recent fires in Maui, our film is more relevant than ever.

You’ve been a part of award-winning films like “Jinn” and “B*** Ass.” What draws you to the roles and projects you choose?

I can’t take all the credit. I have such a great team that work tirelessly to get me opportunities to be a part of quality projects. 

In addition to your acting career, you’re also a writer and producer. How do you balance these different roles in the entertainment industry?

I’m just in love with the movies! Anyway, I can be involved in a project, I’m game. For me, it’s less a balancing act and more of a pursuit to create more.

You have a background in classical ballet and have performed professionally with the Moscow Ballet Theatre. How has your dance training influenced your acting career?

Dancing taught me focus and discipline, which have been key to my acting journey. Also dancing has made me a more well-rounded and interesting actor. My first few acting jobs were actually dancer roles. 

It’s impressive that you’re involved in volunteer work, such as helping at soup kitchens and catering for Habit Against Humanity. Can you share more about your passion for giving back to the community?

I grew up in the Church and my mom was very involved in the community service ministry, her passion for serving others has been one of the biggest influences in my life. I feel the most fulfilled when I can help someone else.

What upcoming projects or goals are you excited about in your career, and how do you see yourself evolving as an actress, writer, and producer in the future?

SAG-AFTRA’s on strike so I can’t talk about anything at the moment. As far as my career aspirations go, I just want to play the great roles and be a part of the great projects.  

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