First off, I am obligated to “bring the realness” and address what is happening in the world, so I’m going to begin with the bad and bring it back around to the good, so please bear with me:

It’s hard to open your eyes these days without seeing some kind of explosion on the news. It’s very disappointing to me as a human being that we do these things. I have seen, as I am sure you have too, a few tasteless jokes and a couple of horrifying images showing up lately. You don’t have to worry about seeing any of those on my website or social media venues, as I am not comfortable behaving as if gore is the norm. We are fortunate in this country not to live in a war zone, becoming desensitized to violence and forced to see graphic mortality on a regular basis, and I find a lack of journalistic responsibility shameful. There is no need to take an awful situation and make it worse by exposing all ages and creeds to such evils. Seeing those images does not HELP us, and it does not provide us with a new understanding of “reality.” All it does is steal innocence and diminish hope and optimism, and none of that is a good thing. Along with the world news, I am currently waiting to hear back from a veterinary clinic about the well-being of a stray kitty that I found, half blind and dragging his legs behind him. So far they have told me that the left-eye blindness is neurological and may correct itself, and – the bad news – that the sweet thing had been shot with a pellet gun. Sometimes I wish I weren’t a human because of the things they are capable of, but I also realize that if I weren’t a human I couldn’t have helped to save this cat.

It’s times like these that entertainment is the most needed, if for no other reason than to remind us all of the positive qualities, actions, and beauty that IS still all around us.

So let’s move onto a lighter note or two!
I am grateful to have been involved in a beautiful vintage bridal show last month. Bridal shows are a wonderful thing to attend in any capacity, as they tend to be in rooms full of hope and elegance and cheer. Everyone is feeling excitement and eagerness and optimism for their big day, and artisans of all kinds are putting their best paintbrush, lace, cake or shoe forward. I hope to be invited to many more of these! Thank you to everyone who brought their smiles to this one.

The comedy show at The Ranch was also a pleasure! I grew up in the Paso Robles area, so the show kind of turned into a friends and family reunion of sorts. It never ceases to amaze me who from my past shows their support at different times.
I would like to take a moment to send all of you who have come to my shows my heartfelt appreciation: Without the support and laughs of you amazing people, I don’t know how much more bitter and sarcastic my jokes would have become. BUT FOLKS! In all seriousness, seeing familiar and caring faces in the audience has filled my spirit with light and love, and I can’t thank you enough for being there for me and really making the effort to share those moments with me. I am so grateful for your friendship, support, and unwavering kindness and generosity. THANK YOU, from the bottom, top and middle of my heart. And the sides of it, too.

Ok, so now that we’re all feeling mushy and warm, here are the UPCOMiNG APPEARANCES!

Marilyn Monroe Events: TUESDAY, APRIL 23rd at the Mid-State Fairgrounds’ Event Center from 4pm to 7pm
FREE entry to the “There’s No Business Like Your Business” Expo, where there will be wine, snacks and freebies, as well as giveaways! I’ll be there singing, taking pictures, and feeling the wind in my pleats! Oh, and I have *shiny new merchandise* available!
Find the Event on facebook!

Comedy Show: WEDNESDAY, MAY 1st at the Universal Bar & Grill at 9:45pm
FREE show, FREE parking, NO food/drink minimum! It’s a birthday show, so it’s late and it’s complimentary, because the producer is planning to be in a good mood 😉
4093 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, California
Find the Event on facebook!

I have a few photo shoots scheduled, so this is it for now, but as always, keep checking back for updates!!
And keep your chin up. We humans have endured worse times than these, and we will bounce back again, I promise!
xo

Sorry for the gap, friends, but I have been all OVER the place working and moving! Now I have found a calm, quiet moment to update everyone on what I’ve been up to and what I’m *about* to be up to!

First, what’s been happening:

I went up to Paso Robles and did a photo shoot as Marilyn for INDULGE Magazine, San Luis Obispo County! The issue is on stands March 5th locally, or on the magazine’s website if you’re not local or just like looking at a glowing rectangle when you read :p

The comedy show at Osaka Joe’s Sushi has *ENDED,* mostly due to the fact that it is now a BBQ restaurant. Onward!

I was hired for the second time in a row to model at the GRAMMYS for MasterCard! I was once again promoting the MC Priceless Lounge – not only the BEST lounge before the show, but the ONLY place you could buy alcohol in the entire STAPLES Center! Needless to say, it was VERY popular 😉

On March 3rd, I was at the Auto Trade Show in Visalia, CA for MPA and Pure Energy parts! It was a LOT of fun, I was Marilyn and I got to sing and dance, mingle, and feel the breeze from the “subway”!
You can see some pictures from these Marilyn events in my “Marilyn-personator” photo album!

Ok, here are the UPDATES for upcoming shows!!!

I will be a runway model in the 2nd Annual Vintage Glamour Bridal Show at UCLA’s Ackerman Ballroom on SUNDAY, MARCH 24th from 11am-3pm!! Come out and see all of the beautiful dresses and such!!!

If you’re looking for a comedy show, I hope you can make it to The Ranch in San Miguel, CA on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27th at 8pm!!
Tickets are available online for $5 pre-sale, or $10 at the door.
I’m Hosting the show, the Feature comic is Evan Cassidy, and the Headliner is John Clark!!

Also, I’ll be doing stand-up in a great show at Huntington Beach’s Old World German Restaurant on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3rd at 7:30pm! Tickets are $5, and strudel is GREAT!!

I am certain that more gigs will be popping up soon, so check back often, or you can “Like” my Marilyn Monroe Impersonator Fan Page” on facebook for Marilyn gig updates, or friend me on facebook for comedy show updates!

As always, thank you SO much for your support! I am thankful every day to have you all in my corner!!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I am in a global Marilyn Monroe Impersonator Contest called “Who Is The New Marilyn?”
So far, out of 150 entries, I have made the Top 25!
The next round will invite the Top 10 to audition for a role in the film “The New Marilyn”!
I would love this opportunity!
Please help by going to The Contest’s Website and click “Like,” and be sure to also click “Confirm”!

(The link will take you straight to my video, and the Like/Confirm buttons will be on the bottom left side of your screen.)

Every vote helps me inch closer to winning!!
Voting for this round ends at midnight on March 1st, so please feel free to Share my video!!
It means the world to me, thank you so much for your clicks!!!
I will keep updating as the contest moves forward 🙂

Besides this contest, I am still out and about doing comedy, and hey – I will be a model at The Grammys again this year!!
I can’t wait!!! 2013 is shaping up to be a very exciting year!!!!

As always, thank you for reading my blog and supporting me and my dreams <3 I couldn't do any of this amazing stuff without you!!!! xoxox

The month of December has been very good to me this year!
A quick update before I get into upcoming shows and appearances….

On the 7th, I was on The Playboy Morning Show with Andrea and Kevin (which aired on Playboy TV and also Playboy Radio)! Playboy held its first-ever contest for the BEST Marilyn Monroe impersonator, and I won! You can see the pictures from the exciting day in my Marilyn-personator photo album in the Gallery, on My Impersonator Facebook Page, or on the Playboy Morning Show’s blog (you can find the link on my Resume page)!

John Clark and I had another AMAZiNG show at Osaka Joe’s Sushi in Morro Bay on Dec 14th and 15th, with Kris Rubio and headliner Steve Zorbalas! I am constantly humbled by the amazing friends, fans and family who come out and show their support at these shows. I am so very lucky to know all of you, and to get to see you at such wonderful and uplifting events!

While I was up in the San Luis Obispo area, I was asked to pose as Marilyn for the February – March cover of a local magazine (more details coming soon!) at the Estrella Warbirds Museum in Paso Robles! There are a few film festivals happening in SLO soon, and Marilyn certainly ties right in, doesn’t she? You can BET I’ll be updating this website as the newsstand release date draws closer – Extra! Extra!

I also had a fun set at a comedy show at the Tap House in Huntington Beach, CA on Tuesday, December 18th (I apologize for all of the retro-active updates this month, but December has been a whirlwind of activity and I am still catching up with myself)!

And now for the UPCOMING EVENTS:

On SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29th at noon (PST), I will be appearing on LA Talk Live for LA LA Land with Brett Chapin! If you’d like to call into the show and talk with us on the air, please do! The number to call is (323) 247-7443. I can’t wait for this show, and I hope to get to talk with LOTS of you! This show is going to be so much fun!

Looking forward to 2013…!

I will be on stage for the Crispy Comedy Show at the Universal Bar & Grill (near Universal Studios) on
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3rd at 9:30pm! This show is FREE, and parking is also FREE!

The Chinese New Year (the year of the Water Snake) is approaching in February! The Chinese take this time to forgive grudges, reconcile, and sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone… Pass it on!!!

Thank you again for your love and support, and thank you for continuing to follow my journey!
xo

Autumn is especially hectic for me this year!
It started off with filling the role of Marilyn Monroe for ICN TV’s “The Return of the Superstars” (video is now up on my videos page!), and is continuing into comedy shows, puppets and commercials, and even a little theatre!!
I like to keep my blogs short and sweet, so I’ll go ahead and get down to the nitty gritty!

First things first – John Clark and I are now hosting a comedy show in Morro Bay, CA, so we actually designed and built a couple of puppets to be our “stars” in a few late-night commercials! The puppets pay homage to the historic Morro Bay Rock and the falcon sanctuary on his backside (oh my)!
Our headliner for October is the wonderful ED GREER, and the show will also feature Quincy Weekly!
This excitement will be at Osaka Joe’s Sushi (3118 Main Street, Morro Bay, CA) on…

**FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26th and
**SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27th, both running from 9pm until 10!
These two shows are also a fantastic Halloween party, with a pumpkin pinata, a costume contest, and of course, great fun and great sushi. FREE ENTRY and FREE PARKING, how can you miss this??

If you are just dying for some entertainment and you can’t wait for the 26th (and who can??), get our your fishnets and join me at a one-time-only performance of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” LIVE at Cal State Fullerton!!! I am thrilled to get to play Columbia (she has always been my favorite!!) with the very same live performance group that was featured on the Special Edition DVD of “Rocky”!!!! This show is FREE and not to be missed!! You can see it on…..

**WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24th at 7pm in the Titan Theatre at Cal-State Fullerton!
I am super excited about this show, I hope to see you there!

Before you indulge for the holidays, get a head start on burning those calories – there is no better way to do that then LAUGHING!
John and i will be back as your hosts at Osaka Joe’s in Morro Bay for a PRE-Thanksgiving Comedy Show on…

**FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16th and
**SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17th, again from 9pm ’til 10!
The Osaka shows are FREE with FREE parking 🙂

After that, follow us back down to LA for The Crispy Comedy Show at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank:

**SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25th at 9pm!
The show is $10/person with a two-item minimum, but get this – they sell bottles of Yoo-Hoo there. Seriously! Mmm…
FREE parking in the structure next door.

And as always, if you are throwing a party for the holidays (know any Scorpios who could use a surprise birthday party??), make it unforgettable by inviting *Marilyn Monroe* for mingling, photos, and maybe even a song or two!

Thank you so much for your support, and thank you for checking my blog! It means SO much to me 🙂

(I was wondering if the trophy could hold champagne…
…fyi, it did not!)

Hello again, friends!

I have big, exciting news!!
ICN TV Network/IAVC will SOON be airing “The Return of the Superstars” competition in three wonderful ways –

*ONLiNE – (in English) Sunday the 30th at 9:30pm on www.iavcusa.com or www.icntv.net (you can find language choice and just look for “LIVE TV” on the very first line on the page)

*TV: For ICN English channel (44.8), it will air on September 30th at 9:30pm

*TV: For ICN Chinese channel (44.6), it will air on September 29 & 30th at 8:00 pm (it will air in Chinese online at these times/dates as well!)

I am so excited, I can’t wait!! I know you already know who wins, but it was still a great, fun show, and I know you will enjoy it! China knows how to party! Extremely entertaining.

*********************

MORE BiG NEWS!!!
Click on over to the Videos Page for a *brand new* Toyota commercial that John Clark and I were asked to create! With the help of cameraman and sound man Kris Rubio, and the wordless contributions of Sales Manager Mark Tomaino, we hope to make you laugh and maybe take a test drive!

*********************

Also, if you are interested in attending a LiVE stand-up comedy show and watching me be myself (!), here are a few shows you should consider:

* Monday Madness Comedy (the 1-Year Anniversary Show!) at the American Legion in San Fernando, CA – Monday, September 24th, 2012 from 8-10pm. FREE SHOW!
Address: 602 Pico St, San Fernando, CA 91340

* THE GASLAMP – TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th, 2012 at 7:30pm (yep, Yom Kippur, bringing it in right!) It’s a FREE show, but there’s a two-item minimum, and take this recommendation: DON’T order the artichoke dip unless you LOVE mayonnaise.
Address: 6251 East Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, CA 90803

* MAX BLOOM’S CAFE NOiR – FRiDAY, OCTOBER 5th at 8pm. FREE Show, and good espresso!
Address: 220 N Malden Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832

I do hope to see all of you at a show! Spread the good vibes 🙂
xoxo
♥

“…because I never belonged to anything or anyone else.” – Marilyn Monroe

The past few months have been incredible! I have been exploring the world of celebrity impersonators in a whole new way. I’ve gotten to know lots of new friends and Marilyn enthusiasts, what a wonderful community of people! I was fortunate to be a part of the 50th anniversary of her passing in Hollywood, and I loved meeting everyone there!
It is nothing short of amazing how prevalent Marilyn remains, 50 years after her candle blew out. In just 36 years of life, she secured a spot in every home – be it on a coffee mug, a calendar or a canvas – and is thought of every single day. Her smile still graces the covers of magazines and books, not to mention pop culture t-shirts, wine bottles… Many are wondering who among us will be so lovingly remembered in 50 years, if anyone… And how would Marilyn have felt to know it would be this way? I’m sure we will never really know.
Of course, I’ve been working so much as Marilyn that I have had to squeeze in stand-up comedy whenever I can between rehearsals, auditions and gigs!

A few of you have asked when my upcoming comedy shows are, and though Marilyn may be center stage this month, you CAN come see me do my stand-up comedy:

* “Hot Girls Telling Dirty Jokes” Show at Liam’s Irish Pub in Colton, CA – Tuesday, September 11th, 2012 at 9:30pm. FREE show! Great Irish pub food!

* The Performing Arts Gallery in Tustin, CA – Friday, September 14th, 2012 at 8pm, I think it will be $5 or $10, but check back before the show, I will update and clarify!

* I will also be performing as Marilyn at Universal CityWalk in Universal City, CA on THURSDAY, AUGUST 30TH at 7pm! Also FREE.
It will be an amazing show, and I’ll be singing and dancing along with Elvis, Beyonce, former President Clinton, you name it! It’s part of a live global broadcast for ICN Network’s hit show “The Return of Superstars”, and I’m very excited to be a part of it!! Please do come out and watch our show! If you can’t make it, I do believe you can also view it after September 30th on ICN’s website as well.

I will continue to update my blog here as shows come up, so please check back often!
And, as always, if you’d like ME-rilyn to come to a party or be in a show, email me! The same goes for anyone who would like me to be in a comedy show or film/tv project – I love to work!!!

Thank you so much for your time and support! Until next time, work hard and dream harder!
xoxo

(And to my new friend in Topanga/Canoga Park, I will be sending you positive thoughts during your surgery!)

I’ve been as busy as bees since my last blog!! And waist-deep in casting processes…
Each audition is really an amazing and strange creature. You see some people who you think are perfect for a role, even the one you are auditioning for. Then most of the time you’ll watch that person leave with this costume of a smile on their face like it’s a pair of sunglasses they’re hiding their sorrow or feelings of failure behind, and you are left in awe of WHY weren’t they chosen?? Then there is the other end of it all, when you see someone go through the steps and you feel they would have been better off at a different audition for a role that would be more suited for them. And even then, there are times you watch that person somehow delight the casting directors and land the role. There really is NO telling in this town – One person’s vision here is dozens of people’s puzzle, and one’s success is truly dozens of people’s missed opportunity. Every actor owns at least one pair of those smiling sunglasses. They have to.

On a somewhat related note, this year is pretty significant – August 5th, 2012 marks the 50th year to pass since the death of a global icon, Marilyn Monroe. It’s awe-inspiring to me that a single human being can pass away and fifty years later, STILL grace the covers of magazines and be the subject of successful books, movies, merchandise… She was only alive for 36 years and she carved a permanent signature on the entire world, like her or not. For someone who so often thought very little of herself, it goes to show how far a dream can take you. It is also a graphic demonstration about the human condition and our need for love, acceptance, and approval. Mae West once said, “It is better to be looked over than to be over-looked.” Marilyn herself said, “It’s better for the whole world to know you, even as a sex star, than never to be known at all.” There are similar quotes to be found from just about every legendary star. One theory could just be that the main driving force behind their motivation is their lack of acceptance of themselves. I think for Marilyn, though, she made it a point to accept just about everyone, even the character she created which we’re all still staring at. I’m grateful for the latest surge in Marilyn publicity for several reasons, and one of those is that hopefully the world can inch closer to knowing, accepting and even loving the person she really was behind all of those batting eyelashes.
(Another reason is simply that the more attention classic Hollywood, the more hope I have that women will appreciate the value of carrying yourself with grace and class and stop arm-wrestling for “respect”… You can be deserving of that same respect simply when you act like a lady and embrace the true power of your femininity and womanhood. Though they do try, men will never be able to capture the certain beauty and softness of a woman, so why must we try to capture their physical strength or ability to be vulgar and gross-out their buddies?

Whether you’re a man or a woman, an actor or a cubicle-worker, take a moment to embrace who you are. Smile!

Wow, what an incredible month for the comedy community. First the world felt the loss of comedian “Fat James” Price, and a few days later we were thrown by the sudden loss of young comic Angelo Bowers. It’s been an amazing few weeks, drifting from place to place and encountering friends of theirs who are surrounded by feelings of loss and mourning, but there is also this very palpable gratefulness in the air. Everyone is pulling together and letting their love be heard, not just for those they’ve lost but for those who are sharing the grief. Let someone know you appreciate them and love them, every day.

Life rolls on and so does the show… Looking ahead, there are still smiles and laughs to be shared. Come out to a comedy club and support what we comics love so deeply – we can’t do it without you!

Here are my upcoming shows, bring someone you know who could use a laugh or fifty…

SUNDAY, JAN 22nd – ComedySLAMRadio.com Interview, 4:30-5:30pm PST
Shortly followed by – Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank at 9pm
SATURDAY, JAN 28th – San Dimas comedy show if you’re around
THURSDAY, FEB 2nd – On The Rocks in Redondo Beach
SATURDAY, FEB 18th – The Belly Room at the Comedy Store! 10:30pm

Also, you have “Ghost Whisperer” and Jennifer Love Hewitt to thank for this one – I have contracted a twitter account – send flowers.
You can find me at @LaughingAshley where I’ll be posting jokes in hopes of making you smile.

Thank you so much for checking up on my blog, your support means more to me than you know 🙂

I hope your Thanksgiving was FiLLiNG and stuffed – with love!

This is a photo of me making my newly-traditional hand turkey at an “Orphans’ Thansgiving” celebration with those of us in entertainment who have moved to Hollywood – and therefore far away from family! Dear friends of mine arrange this sweet get-together every year and it’s SO MUCH FUN!

Christmas has been an on-going event already! First I soaked up the cheer and lights of a Disneyland Christmas, then I gaped at the amazing teamwork and spirit in Paso Robles (my alma mater) for their annual Vine Street party! Every house and business on Vine Street is Victorian-style, and they ALL decorate and celebrate each year! There is even a veteran performer who has played Ebeneezer Scrooge annually without fail since I was a LiTTLE brat! He actually moved away fro Vine Street at one point, and families begged him to come back and perform at THEiR house!
Most of my immediate family was in tow for this one, and several of my long-time and truest friends – it was truly heart-warming on such a freezing night!

I sincerely hope that your holidays are bright and festive, and even though gifts may be running thin in many American homes this Christmas, may the spirit of family and the love of friendship carry you through on a wave of happiness and joy.

If you are hoping to brave the cold (for Southern California) weather for some AMAZiNG comedy this month, do I have the show for you!

THE CRiSPY CRiSPMAS COMEDY SHOW
The Beauty Bar – 1638 N Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA (near Hollywood Blvd)
Thursday, December 22nd at 8pm

This show is an honor for me to be a part of, as it’s got a line-up of incredibly funny and personally KiND comedians! It’s FREE, and the street parking should be close to free with meters lining a few of the streets! It’s 21 and over only, but there’s NO drink minimum, and guess what?? You can even get a manicure while you watch for ten bucks!!
(For more info please go to crispycomedyshow.com )

I hope to see you there, and STAY WARM, friends!!

xoxo