Ashley Everett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ashley Everett
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Everett performing during The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour (2013-14)
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Ashley Chrisha Marie Everett
April 19, 1989 Chico, California U.S.
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| Years active | 2006–present |
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Ashley Chrisha Marie Everett (born April 19, 1989) is an American dancer and actress. She is famous for being a lead backup dancer and dance captain for the superstar Beyoncé. Ashley has also worked with many other popular artists like Usher, Jennifer Lopez, and Ne-Yo. You might have seen her in many popular music videos, TV ads, and big concert tours.
Ashley's dance journey started when she was just 16 years old. She met Beyoncé's choreographer, Frank Gatson, Jr., while training at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2007. Later that year, Gatson Jr. gave Ashley a chance to audition for Beyoncé. At 17, she decided to join The Beyoncé Experience Tour instead of going to the Juilliard School. By the age of 19, in 2009, she became Beyoncé's dance captain.
Ashley has been a part of every major concert tour with Beyoncé. She has also appeared in many TV commercials and danced or acted in over 20 music videos with the singer. Besides working with Beyoncé, she has also expanded her career into acting. She had a role in the TV series Hit the Floor in 2015.
In 2008, Ashley was one of only two dancers in the famous music video for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)". This video became super popular, getting over 685 million views on YouTube. It was known for its amazing dancing. Ashley also performed with Beyoncé at the 2013 Super Bowl XLVII halftime show and the 2016 Super Bowl 50 halftime show. She was also a big part of Coachella 2018. Ashley is often recognized on stage by her curly, red afro hairstyle. She has many fans among Beyoncé's followers. She trained in contemporary ballet as a child and can also perform many other dance styles, including tap, ballroom, jazz, and hip hop.
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Ashley's Early Life
Ashley Everett was born and grew up in Chico, California. Her mother is African American, and her father is White. Ashley started dancing when she was only three years old. She began with ballet and also learned tap and jazz.
Becoming a Professional Dancer
When Ashley was sixteen, she moved to New York City. She trained at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. It was there that she met Beyoncé's choreographer, Frank Gatson, Jr.. About two months later, Ashley tried out for Beyoncé. Gatson remembered her and helped her get a job dancing for Beyoncé.
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At seventeen, Ashley started working with Beyoncé. She danced in music videos for Beyoncé's album B'Day (2006), including "Green Light" and "Get Me Bodied". After this, Ashley joined her first worldwide concert tour with The Beyoncé Experience (2007). She performed as a backup dancer for 96 shows. Ashley had been accepted into the Juilliard School, a famous arts school, but she chose to tour with Beyoncé instead to follow her dance dreams.
In 2008, Ashley performed with one of her idols, Tina Turner, and Beyoncé at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards. She also appeared in the music video for "Love in This Club" by Usher. In October 2008, the video for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" was released. This video featured only Beyoncé, Ashley, and another dancer named Ebony Williams. It became a huge hit and has been watched over 580 million times. It also won the MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year.
Ashley also danced in videos for "Ego" and "Sweet Dreams" from Beyoncé's album I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). She then joined Beyoncé's second worldwide tour, the I Am... World Tour (2009–10). On this tour, Ashley became the female Dance Captain. In 2010, she worked with Ne-Yo and appeared in three of his music videos. In 2011, Ashley was in three more videos from Beyoncé's album 4.
On February 3, 2013, Ashley was a lead backup dancer for the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show with Beyoncé. Over 110 million Americans watched this performance. After that, Beyoncé announced The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour (2013–14). Ashley was the head Dance Captain for all 132 shows. She also appeared in the documentary Life Is But a Dream and in TV commercials for H&M and O2. Ashley was in six videos from Beyoncé's self-titled visual album, even having a main acting role in the video for "Heaven."
In 2014, Ashley was the lead Dance Captain for Jay-Z and Beyoncé's On the Run Tour. She also danced for most of Usher's The UR Experience Tour (2014–15). In February 2016, Ashley joined Beyoncé again at the Super Bowl for the Super Bowl 50 halftime show. This performance was watched by over 115 million people. After this, The Formation World Tour was announced, and Ashley was again the dance captain for Beyoncé's 49-show stadium tour.
Ashley has also danced and worked with other artists like Robin Thicke, Ciara, and Jennifer Lopez.
Ashley's Acting Roles
Ashley Everett appeared in the first episode of Hit the Floor as a character named Peyton. She also filmed for the third season of the series. In 2012, Ashley was in the final episode of the second season of Shake It Up. In 2013, she starred with Beyoncé in the video for "Heaven." This was Ashley's first acting role with Beyoncé where she wasn't dancing. She played Beyoncé's best friend, and they acted out fun "bucket list" things together. Ashley has said she wants to do more acting, especially roles where she doesn't have to dance. She believes that films and videos last forever, creating a legacy for her and her family.
Ashley has also appeared on TV shows like Fox 32 and WCIU-TV. She was interviewed and even taught news anchors some dance moves. These appearances often helped promote the concert tours she was on.
Ashley's Dance Style and Image
Dance Style
Ashley is professionally trained in contemporary ballet. She also learned tap and jazz as she grew up. When she works with pop artists like Beyoncé and Ciara, Ashley often performs hip-hop and street dance styles. However, she sometimes uses elements of ballet in her performances.
Public Image
Ashley Everett is often recognized because of her bright red hair, which she usually styles as an afro. She has shared that Beyoncé originally asked her to dye her hair red. Even though keeping the color can be damaging, it has become so well-known that fans would miss it if she changed it.
Influences
Ashley has said that her biggest dance inspiration is Janet Jackson. She also mentioned Michael Jackson (if he were still alive) and Justin Timberlake as artists she would love to dance with. Ashley is also inspired by Beyoncé's strong work ethic.
Images for kids
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Ashley Everett performing during The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour.
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Ashley Everett (right) performing "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" with Beyoncé on Good Morning America.
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Ashley Everett (second from left) performing "Crazy in Love" with Beyoncé during The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour.
