NURA: What is something that your audience should
know about you?
ASHLEY: I am thee quadruple threat and my resume
speaks for itself. I push to become the best that I can be
while utilizing a lifetime’s worth of entertainment industry
professional experience. I am not saying I am the greatest;
just stating what I am. I began on stage at 4 as a classically
trained dancer, started beauty pageants at age 5, was a
professionally published print model by age 8, and singing
since 7. All of my life I have worked to fulfill and
continue to fulfill my talent and God’s promise.
NURA: What do you love most about your
career in entertainment?
ASHLEY: I love the love! I work off
of love and to receive it every day
from doing what I love is amazing! I
could not ask for anything more!
NURA: What have you experienced
in your career that you have never
anticipated?
ASHLEY: Automatic recognition! When
you do a show as big as the one I was on,
people recognize you and tell you and it still
feels weird but really awesome at the same time
because they never forgot you. It is a humbling
feeling that makes you feel thankful every time
someone approaches.
NURA: What do you stand for? What
message(s) do you hope to share with your
audience in the years ahead?
ASHLEY: I believe in being you
and being proud of it! I believe
we have enough clones and
reproductions of everything in
society and so my message is to be
CONFIDENTLY YOU! No one
wants to see another someone
else, so just BE YOU! I have
the utmost respect for all
those out there who “do
them” and do not let other
people dictate or judge the
outcome of their future.
As long as it is positive
and non-harmful to
others, be proud of who
you are and stand your ground! Respect!
NURA: What’s next for you?
ASHLEY: All that God intends! I perform my original
music regularly in the Atlanta area by invitation in
independent artist showcases and live radio shows,
interviews, television shows; I am of course staying in
the studio recording new hotness! I am gearing up to
shoot my debut music video for my new single, “Came
A Long Way” around the end of September; I am a
Celebrity Spokes model at this year’s International Bronner
Brothers Convention and Hair Show in Atlanta; and
PROUD to announce my new company Ashley Harper
Entertainment is now in business and I own all
of the rights and publishing to my music
and look forward to having artists under
my label in the near future! There is so
much more to come because the sky is
truly the limit! Make sure you follow all
that happens on my journey on IG @
OfficialAshleyHarperNC
NURA: Where do you see yourself in the
next 5-10 years?
ASHLEY: Within the next
decade, I can foresee that I will
be utilizing all of my entertainment
accreditation and experience in film and
television; hopefully with Tyler Perry
and amongst A-List Black Hollywood;
continuing to make original music, signing
new artists on my label Ashley Harper
Entertainment; continuing mentoring
and coaching at-risk youth in the arts; and
continuing to build the Ashley Harper Brand
for all things positive in our communities.
NURA: Why is community involvement/
service so important to you?
ASHLEY: Community involvement is
everything to me. Our neighborhoods
and communities of underprivileged
and less fortunate children will always
be my entire heart; reason being, they
are Our future. And no one out there
seems to turn a blind eye or at least to
me, not enough. The attention and love
that is received from a child in difficult
circumstances from an adult they admire
that has worked hard to be in better
circumstances is sacred and genuine.
Particularly if you resemble their skin
tone, attributes, and family upbringing.
So, for those reasons--And, when I look
into their eyes and see hope just from them
staring into mine--I will always be deeply
connected, engaged, and rooted, to the children at-risk and
among inner cities. It is a lifelong duty from me that will
never be fulfilled because I will always be a part of that
mission of love and understanding.
NURA Magazine 7