13 Questions With Anastasia Ashley, Quick Bio Anastasia Ashley was born on February 10, 1987, in Los Angeles, California. After moving to Hawaii at the age of 5, Ashley was quickly introduced to what was to become her life’s calling: surfing. Despite being one of -- it not the only -- girl riding waves at the time, Ashley consistently proved that when it came to surfing, talent did not have a gender. A fact quickly reinforced by Anastasia becoming one of the most visible faces in the sport, as well as one of its most coveted athletes, landing sponsorships with Oakley, Infinity Surfboards, and PowerBar, and becoming one of PETA’s most prominent spokespeople.
Since most of North America hasn't had the opportunity to try surfing, what other activity would you say it is most similar to?
Anastasia Ashley: Maybe snowboarding, because you get going really fast -- probably even faster than you do surfing -- and it’s really fun the faster you go, like surfing. Also, the conditions change like the waves: there's snow, there’s jumps and little mounts. Waves change all the time, so it’s kind of similar in that sense.
How do the professional lives of female surfers differ from those of male surfers?
AA: The difference is that men have a lot more contests, so they are probably traveling more than female surfers -- that’s probably the main difference. There aren't that many contests for girls, which is kind of a bummer (laughs).
Quick Fact
Just like most young athletes, Anastasia says she looks up to Adam Carolla and Jimmy Kimmel.
You've mentioned in previous interviews that you listen to your iTunes before you surf. What music do you listen to before a competition?
AA: You know, I like all kinds of music -- I like rap, rock and R&B. But artist-wise, I like Kanye West, Britney Spears, The Killers, My Chemical Romance, Nelly Furtado… I probably listen to all of those artists.
It’s funny because I like music that’s more like "club music" to relax to. I mean I used to sleep with my headphones on and listen to rap (laughs) -- pretty much any music suits me.
Movies like Fast Times at Ridgemont High have pegged surfing as having a kind of lifestyle; do you find there is a lifestyle associated with surfing and if so, could you describe it?
AA: I think that a lot of people can attach the lifestyle to different things. For me personally, it’s just living a clean life, staying positive and trying to do your best in anything you do in your life. And I think being an athlete teaches you, and more specifically, being a surfer teaches you how to be determined and focused. I am not going to say that’s for every surfer (laughs), but that’s my personal experience.
Anastasia opens up on being a sexy vegetarian...
What is the normal career path for a surfer and do you plan on taking a different route?
Anastasia Ashley: I think there is kind of a normal route that a lot of surfers have been doing... you know, doing the amateur circuit, then the professional circuit and then a lot of people work within the industry. But I personally don’t want to do the average thing that every other surfer has done before. I want to be the first one to do something completely different.
I heard that you were interested in pursuing a career in modeling or fashion -- what draws you to those industries?
AA: I think it’s just fun. I’ve modeled for different magazines and my sponsors -- and I always have a great time. I think it’s one of the other things I’m good at besides surfing, so obviously I think I’m going to like it. With fashion too, I just love clothes and shopping and reading fashion magazines, just soaking that all in. I don’t really know where that comes from (laughs). I think it’s just a "love at first sight" kind of thing.
What kind of work would you like to be doing in the fashion industry?
AA: I would love to do anything. I would love to do sportswear, couture… my ultimate goal -- if I was doing fashion -- would be to be make the cutest clothes at the lowest price you can do it for... and definitely cute clothes I could wear (laughs).
Any ideas as to what your clothing line would be called?
AA: It would probably be "SexyStasia" because “Stasia” is my nickname. I don’t know if I should say that though because I don’t want anyone stealing it.
You were nominated for Sexiest Vegetarian Alive by PETA; did that come as a surprise?
AA: Yes and no. I’m a spokesperson for PETA, so I definitely think that helps, but I didn’t really know. You know it’s funny, I actually saw it looking at the PETA site, just randomly looking. I saw the nominations, clicked on it wondering “who are the girls?” So I looked and I was like, “Oh, OK,” and then I voted.
Quick Fact
Don't be fooled by her angelic demeanor, Anastasia's favorite movie is Sin City.
Who do you think is PETA's best spokesperson and are they somebody you might look up to?
AA: Definitely Pamela Anderson. She’s done so much for them; I mean, that’s how I heard about them. I think she does her best to promote them. I’ve met her once and she seemed nice. Actually, she used to date my dad, so that’s kind of funny... but I didn’t tell her that “you dated my dad.”
You have started to appear in the media quite a bit. Is there any part of your life you wished the press wouldn't focus on so much?
AA: Because I live in Beverly Hills and my family is from there, a lot of people might think I’m spoiled, I’m arrogant and stuff. And I’m not, and anyone who knows me knows that. I’m a very caring person.
How do you reward yourself for a job well done?
AA: Shoes. I love shoes. I have over 200 pairs of shoes in my closet (laughs). I mean, I have a lot of nice people giving me shoes too, but I definitely buy a good amount.
What are your plans for the future?
AA: I'm going to work towards becoming world champion during the Association of Surfing Professionals world tour in 2007. As well, I’m going to continue working with PETA, I’m publishing a calendar with JF Turner and I'll be updating my website at AnastasiaA.com.
Since most of North America hasn't had the opportunity to try surfing, what other activity would you say it is most similar to?
Anastasia Ashley: Maybe snowboarding, because you get going really fast -- probably even faster than you do surfing -- and it’s really fun the faster you go, like surfing. Also, the conditions change like the waves: there's snow, there’s jumps and little mounts. Waves change all the time, so it’s kind of similar in that sense.
How do the professional lives of female surfers differ from those of male surfers?
AA: The difference is that men have a lot more contests, so they are probably traveling more than female surfers -- that’s probably the main difference. There aren't that many contests for girls, which is kind of a bummer (laughs).
Quick Fact
Just like most young athletes, Anastasia says she looks up to Adam Carolla and Jimmy Kimmel.
You've mentioned in previous interviews that you listen to your iTunes before you surf. What music do you listen to before a competition?
AA: You know, I like all kinds of music -- I like rap, rock and R&B. But artist-wise, I like Kanye West, Britney Spears, The Killers, My Chemical Romance, Nelly Furtado… I probably listen to all of those artists.
It’s funny because I like music that’s more like "club music" to relax to. I mean I used to sleep with my headphones on and listen to rap (laughs) -- pretty much any music suits me.
Movies like Fast Times at Ridgemont High have pegged surfing as having a kind of lifestyle; do you find there is a lifestyle associated with surfing and if so, could you describe it?
AA: I think that a lot of people can attach the lifestyle to different things. For me personally, it’s just living a clean life, staying positive and trying to do your best in anything you do in your life. And I think being an athlete teaches you, and more specifically, being a surfer teaches you how to be determined and focused. I am not going to say that’s for every surfer (laughs), but that’s my personal experience.
Anastasia opens up on being a sexy vegetarian...
What is the normal career path for a surfer and do you plan on taking a different route?
Anastasia Ashley: I think there is kind of a normal route that a lot of surfers have been doing... you know, doing the amateur circuit, then the professional circuit and then a lot of people work within the industry. But I personally don’t want to do the average thing that every other surfer has done before. I want to be the first one to do something completely different.
I heard that you were interested in pursuing a career in modeling or fashion -- what draws you to those industries?
AA: I think it’s just fun. I’ve modeled for different magazines and my sponsors -- and I always have a great time. I think it’s one of the other things I’m good at besides surfing, so obviously I think I’m going to like it. With fashion too, I just love clothes and shopping and reading fashion magazines, just soaking that all in. I don’t really know where that comes from (laughs). I think it’s just a "love at first sight" kind of thing.
What kind of work would you like to be doing in the fashion industry?
AA: I would love to do anything. I would love to do sportswear, couture… my ultimate goal -- if I was doing fashion -- would be to be make the cutest clothes at the lowest price you can do it for... and definitely cute clothes I could wear (laughs).
Any ideas as to what your clothing line would be called?
AA: It would probably be "SexyStasia" because “Stasia” is my nickname. I don’t know if I should say that though because I don’t want anyone stealing it.
You were nominated for Sexiest Vegetarian Alive by PETA; did that come as a surprise?
AA: Yes and no. I’m a spokesperson for PETA, so I definitely think that helps, but I didn’t really know. You know it’s funny, I actually saw it looking at the PETA site, just randomly looking. I saw the nominations, clicked on it wondering “who are the girls?” So I looked and I was like, “Oh, OK,” and then I voted.
Quick Fact
Don't be fooled by her angelic demeanor, Anastasia's favorite movie is Sin City.
Who do you think is PETA's best spokesperson and are they somebody you might look up to?
AA: Definitely Pamela Anderson. She’s done so much for them; I mean, that’s how I heard about them. I think she does her best to promote them. I’ve met her once and she seemed nice. Actually, she used to date my dad, so that’s kind of funny... but I didn’t tell her that “you dated my dad.”
You have started to appear in the media quite a bit. Is there any part of your life you wished the press wouldn't focus on so much?
AA: Because I live in Beverly Hills and my family is from there, a lot of people might think I’m spoiled, I’m arrogant and stuff. And I’m not, and anyone who knows me knows that. I’m a very caring person.
How do you reward yourself for a job well done?
AA: Shoes. I love shoes. I have over 200 pairs of shoes in my closet (laughs). I mean, I have a lot of nice people giving me shoes too, but I definitely buy a good amount.
What are your plans for the future?
AA: I'm going to work towards becoming world champion during the Association of Surfing Professionals world tour in 2007. As well, I’m going to continue working with PETA, I’m publishing a calendar with JF Turner and I'll be updating my website at AnastasiaA.com.
