Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashleigh “A.Jae” Michele.
Hi Ashleigh “A.Jae”, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been performing for as long as I can remember. I was never really a stranger to the stage, I started dance at a really young age, so of course dance performances, and recitals. I was also a really loud and talkative kid, so I was always the one picked to read speeches or announce guest for different school and church events. I think I would say that I’ve considered myself an actor, since probably high school when I started really doing plays on stage. So performing was always where I wanted to be. My original plan was to study acting in college, but I graduated high school at a relatively young age, 16, and I had a few birdies in my ear telling me is wasn’t a fruitful choice, so being a little more easily influenced at that age, I leaned into something else also enjoyed, which was talking, and understanding people. So, ended up getting degrees in Communication and in Speech. And I actually don’t regret the decision at all, I think that was the exact path, I was supposed to take. The work I did, and the skills I developed getting those degrees, has helped me not only be a better actor and performer, but a better communicator in life in general. But even while in college I still found my way back to performing. Being in plays, taking every acting class I could, I joined the dance team, that danced half time at the games, I coordinated fashion shows, and scholarship pageants, and even took on my first directing role, where I directed “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow Is Enuf” by Ntozake Shange. All those experiences really solidified for me where I wanted to be. So after I graduated I went on to get my Master’s Degree in Performing Arts at Savannah College of Art and Design. Up until this point most of my acting training had been for the stage, but while studying at SCAD I fell in love with acting for Film/TV. So since I hadn’t had much training acting for that medium, I really leaned into it, and that became what I studied and did for a long time. I’ll never forget my 1st time being on a major movie set, it was Magic Mike XXL, and let me tell you, I had a blast! In 2019, I moved back to Savannah and I pretty much hit the ground running, auditions, roles, classes, networking, getting an agent, all the things. And that pretty much brings me up to today, where I’ve spent the majority of time taking advantage of all the opportunities I could, and consistently doing things to grow my craft as an Actor. Somewhere in that story I really started to reflect on the appreciation I had for my teachers, and coaches, and directors, and the lessons and opportunities they gave me. I realized I wanted to be that person for other aspiring artist and performers, and be able to share with them all the knowledge I’ve gained throughout my ongoing journey. At first I started with private acting lessons, and then I was given the opportunity to teach at a collegiate level, so now I am also a professor of Theatre and Speech at Savannah State University.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Oh my goodness, no! My life has been like a game of Mario Kart, Rainbow Road. Colorful, but the twist and turns where out of this world! I went through a season of life where I was feeling like my efforts were fruitless, I was really in a rut, so I decided to pivot away from acting, and I did some other things. I cut my hair, of course. I worked in radio, fashion, got certified to teach fitness classes, and a few other things. Although I had a blast doing these things, and some of them I still do today, or would love to still do, in the back of my mind there was always a little sadness there, because I felt like I had given up on my dream. Now looking back I realize this was an important part of my lifes journey. But I will say that the hardest part of my journey to navigate, has also been my biggest motivation. And that was becoming a mom. Being a mom while also chasing or pursuing my dreams has been a wild ride! So I’m very thankful to my village for the support they have given me. But my son is also one of the main reasons I went full force back into acting. I want to be his example, his role model and show him that, although it may not be easy, going after the things you love, the things that fulfill you, your dreams, it’s important. I want to show him that it’s possible.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an Actor, for stage and screen. I have also done some commercial print modeling, some hosting, some voiceover work, as well as some work in casting. I am very proud of the work I have been able to do so far and the people I have been able to work with. A couple projects on the top of my list are working on the movies “The Menu” directed by Mark Mylod, and “The Young Wife” directed by Tayarisha Poe. But, i’ve gotten the chance to work with and/or around amazing people like Danielle Brooks, Adrienne C. Moore, Clint Eastwood and the Malpaso Crew, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Fantasia, Ava DuVernay, Bette Midler, now I feel like I’m just name dropping. But it truly comes from a grateful heart. I’ve also gotten to work on some wonderful stage production, such as “Chicago”, “P.O.T.U.S.”, “Anne and Emmett”, and “Marvin’s Room”, just to name a few. One of my most recent accomplishments, that I’m proud of is, I won Savannah’s 2025 Best Local Actress.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I think my determination, versatility and personability are some of the qualities that have been most important to my success. This is not an easy industry to be a part of, so I have had to learn to be okay with hearing “No” a lot, and not letting that deter me or keep me from pushing forward to the next thing. Also, the idea of “yes, and”. There are certain avenues that I didn’t really see myself breaking into, such as commercial print modeling. You know when you think “modeling”, sometimes you think of a specific type of look. So when the opportunity first presented itself to me, I was a little unsure. But I decided to go for it, and it turned out I loved it and the final product was great. Learning new things and the willingness to try new things, have led to me obtaining great tools for my Actors toolbox. I also think my personability, is a gift. I’m a natural social butterfly, so I will talk to pretty much anyone, because I really do enjoy creating genuine and pleasant connections with people. So I guess just me, being me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajaemichele
