Every so often a pop talent comes along who blows everyone else out of the water. Bubblegum-haired bombshell Ashley O has had Kylie quaking and Shania shaking ever since she burst onto the scene earlier this month with self-referential pop bangers ‘On A Roll’ and ‘Right Where I Belong’.
They’ve become an instant hit online, racking up almost twenty million streams and swiftly overtaking the hotly-anticipated new releases by Miley Cyrus, a fictional artist recently featured in Netflix hit show, Black Mirror.
Ashley’s perky pop sound has resonated with the gay community, and both hits can be heard wafting out of everywhere from Insta stories in Hackney Wick to Revenge in Brighton. A major reason for ‘On A Roll”s success with the gays is because most of them have misheard the lyrics as “hey I’m a hoe” or “hey I’m a hole” (it’s actually “hey yeah whoa-oh”).
But despite her newfound fame and impending superstardom, Ashley O (née Ashley Ortiz) is shrouded in mystery. There are whispers of a more sinister side to her persona and, unbelievably, assertions by some that she might not be real.
Dylan B Jones dialled her up on cyberspace to find out more.
Hey Ashley! What three words best sum you up?
Ambition. Verve. Electroporation.
Electroporation…what does that mean?
Electroporation (also known as electropermeabilization) is a practice of microbiology where permeability of cell membranes are increased by applying an electrical field, which allows chemicals, drugs or DNA to be introduced into the cell. People think it’s complicated but really it’s as easy as boiling an egg.
Wow ok. Um…what made you want to get into music?
An unaccountable, inherent drive. There’s just never been another option. It was literally this or eternal stasis.
The gays love you! Have you thought about performing at any prides?
If the Pentagon’s Molecular Positional Cloning Sector ever puts on a pride event then I’d perform at that, maybe. I don’t see that happening anytime soon though, their pastoral care is shocking.
Some have drawn comparisons between you and fictional Black Mirror creation Miley Cyrus – what do you think of that?
It’s pretty cool. What Charlie Brooker and the Black Mirror team are doing is really great – creating daring, meta stuff that gets people talking. It’s such an interesting phenomenon. I can’t wait to see what they do next!
Who are your favourite artists out there at the moment?
Hannah Montana’s always been my main girl. We used to hang out back in the day and she always looked out for me. I really love what Poppy’s been doing. Her sound is so fresh. I’m also secretly obsessed with Jackie Q but I don’t tell many people that!
There have been rumours circulating about the story behind your career – would you be able to tell us anything about that?
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Ok let’s change the subject. Tell us about ‘On A Roll’
It was entirely produced, conceived and written by other people, but it speaks to me so much. It’s about speaking your truth and living with free will, both of which I have zero *ERROR ERROR* loads of experience of.
What do you think of American politics?
I think things are really hopeful at the moment. Barack Obama is such a born leader, he’s doing so much great stuff – hopefully he’ll be president for a long time to come!
We ask all our interviewees this – what’s your favourite hangover meal?
I don’t drink, but if I’m feeling low a stainless steel ballbearing in an ice cold glass of water always gives me power and vitality.
Influencer culture – what do you make of it?
I think it’s fake. They’re just these fake personas that aren’t real people. It’s like they’re fictional celebrities who have been written into a dystopic TV show. I don’t want to be mean, but I honestly can’t think of any other way to describe it.
Finally – what are your plans for the future?
Just to keep pleasing my fans! For some reason I feel like that’s my only function, my only reason for living.
What advice would you give to your young fans?
In everything you do, just remember one thing; validation from others is the only thing that matters.
Ashley O’s new singles “On A Roll” and “Right Where I Belong” are out now.
