Ashley Roberts

Ashley Roberts
Born Ashley Allyn Roberts
(1981-09-14) September 14, 1981
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Residence London, England, United Kingdom
Occupation
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • dancer
  • choreographer
  • actress
  • model
  • presenter
  • television personality
Years active 2001–present
Television I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
Dancing on Ice
Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway
The Jump

Musical career

Genres
Instruments Vocals
Labels
Associated acts The Pussycat Dolls

Ashley Allyn Roberts (born September 14, 1981)[1] is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress, model, presenter, and television personality, best known as a former member of the modern burlesque group and dance ensemble The Pussycat Dolls. She departed from the band in February 2010, in order to pursue a solo singing and acting career, but also due to the overemphasis on the band's main singer, Nicole Scherzinger.

Roberts is also well known in the United Kingdom, due to her participation in reality shows such as I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2012 and The Jump in 2015. She was a judge for two seasons of Dancing on Ice. Roberts has also co-hosted Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway since it was revived in 2013.

Life and career

1981–2002: Early life and career beginnings

Roberts was born in Phoenix, Arizona and attended Shadow Mountain High School. She is of English descent. She began dancing at the age of three and singing at eight. Roberts' father was a drummer for the Mamas & the Papas, later becoming an auto dealer and her mother was a Pilates instructor. They both inspired her to be a part of the entertainment industry.

Roberts' hair was brunette during her teenage years, as shown in Aaron Carter's "Oh Aaron" and "Not Too Young, Not Too Old" music videos.[2]

During high school summer breaks, Roberts traveled to California to study modern dance. After high school, at 19 years old, she moved permanently to Los Angeles. Roberts has appeared in television commercials and music videos such as Counting Crows "Accidentally in Love", Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up", Jane's Addiction's "True Nature", Aaron Carter's "Oh Aaron" and "Not Too Young, Not Too Old" and Pink's "Trouble". Roberts cites Goldie Hawn, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and Gwen Stefani as her main role models and inspirations.[3]

2003–10: The Pussycat Dolls

Main article: The Pussycat Dolls

Within six months of her move, Roberts auditioned for the Pussycat Dolls. At that time the Pussycat Dolls were an underground modern burlesque troupe. Following their growing popularity, music producers Jimmy Iovine and Ron Fair became involved with the group helping them to transform into a franchise. The former dance troupe evolved into a popular music recording group. The only troupe members who remained after the re-casting process were Robin Antin (taking on the creative, executive and managerial roles), Carmit Bachar, Cyia Batten, Kasey Campbell, Kimberly Wyatt, Jessica Sutta and Ashley Roberts. After a few more auditions, singers Nicole Scherzinger, Melody Thornton and Kaya Jones were added to the line-up. In 2004, they recorded "We Went as Far as We Felt Like Going" for the Shark Tale soundtrack and recorded the single, "Sway" which is featured on the soundtrack of Shall We Dance?. Jones left the group in 2005, Batten and Campbell had left earlier.

The Pussycat Dolls were launched into mainstream recognition following the release of PCD, which contained the number-one singles "Don't Cha", "Buttons" and "Stickwitu". Roberts sang co-lead with Bachar and Sutta in the "Stickwitu" single B-side, "Santa Baby". Bachar's departure from the group preceded the release of their second and final studio album, Doll Domination, which contains hit singles, "When I Grow Up", "I Hate This Part" and "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)". Roberts recorded a solo song called "Played" for the Doll Domination's deluxe edition.

On January 29, 2010, Jessica Sutta revealed to E! Online that she had been ousted from the group, following a broken rib she sustained whilst on tour with the group, and thus confirmed her exit.[53] On February 26, Kimberly Wyatt confirmed she was also leaving the group.[54] The next day, Ashley Roberts announced her departure from the group via her website.[53] In a letter to her fans, she made the following announcement:[4]

Yes, I have left the Pussycat Dolls. I love you all sooo much!!! I am so grateful to have the love and support of all of you. It was an amazing ride and I learned so much! You all mean the world to me and I'm excited to take you all on a new adventure. An adventure full of creativity, inspiration, learning, growing and lots of fun."

Wyatt would later go on to confirm that all of the members had left the group, including Melody Thornton.[55]Despite these changes, on May 24, a rumored third line-up would join Scherzinger.[56] However, in late 2010, Scherzinger officially left the group to pursue a solo career.[57] As a result, the original recording group line-up had officially disbanded. The group has sold 54 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.[2][3]

Roberts made her film début as Brooke in the dance/drama/romance film Make It Happen with actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Riley Smith. Production lasted from August 8 to September 17, 2007, and the film was directed by Darren Grant and distributed by The Weinstein Company. It premièred on August 8, 2008 in the UK to mixed but mainly positive reviews.

2010–present: Solo career and Butterfly Effect

After leaving the Dolls, Roberts traveled around the world, followed guru Amma and took several dance/acting classes. In 2010, Roberts released her first solo song, a cover of "A Summer Place" and was released on iTunes on September 28. Roberts also made an appearance in ex-bandmate Wyatt's music video for the single, "Stars in Your Eyes".[5] On June 14, 2012, she made a cameo appearance in Bobby Newberry's music video for his debut single "Dirrty Up", with ex-bandmate Melody Thornton.[6] On October 10, 2012, Roberts released a preview of a cover version of Bobby Newberry's "All In A Day", produced by the Invaders. The full version was released at the end of October.[7] On November 5, 2012, Roberts announced that her first official solo single would be "Yesterday" and would be released that week.

On November 7, 2012, it was confirmed that Roberts would compete in the twelfth series of the British reality show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, airing on ITV[8] finishing as runner-up to Charlie Brooks. Despite not winning, she proved to be a popular public figure during her time on the show and it launched her solo career in the United Kingdom.

On May 25, 2014, Roberts' new single, "Clockwork" was released.[9] On September 1, 2014, Roberts' debut album, Butterfly Effect, recorded at Metropolis in Chiswick, London was released. It was preceded by new single "Woman Up".[10]

Other ventures

Television

On her official blog, Roberts announced that she would work on a number of different projects. She worked on her acting, and was a host on Maxim Does Spring Break on E!. Roberts also shot a pilot for MTV with Aubrey O'Day, Marques Houston, and Amanda Ghost.[4]

She appeared on 90210 in the episode "Into the Wild" which aired on November 5, 2010, where she played a stripper.

On November 7, 2012, it was confirmed that Roberts would compete in the twelfth series of the British reality show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, airing on ITV[8] finishing as runner-up to Charlie Brooks, in one of the closest ever reality show finales where she received 49.44% against 50.56% of the final vote. Despite not winning, she proved to be a popular public figure in the United Kingdom during her time on the show.

From January 2013 to January 2014, Roberts became an ice panel judge for the British skating show, Dancing on Ice on ITV alongside Robin Cousins, Karen Barber and Jason Gardiner.[11]

Later that year, she began presenting the Ant vs Dec segment on the revived version of Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, replacing former host Kirsty Gallacher along with voice-over sports commentator Clive Tyldesley. In February 2015, Roberts took part in the second series of The Jump.[12] However, she was eliminated in the second week, after losing the Jump-off to Louise Thompson.

In 2016, she began hosting 1st Look.

Products and endorsements

In March 2013, Roberts was announced as Garnier's new self tan spokesmodel and the face of Ambre Solaire No Streak Bronzer campaign.[13]

Roberts has launched her first line of lingerie designed for the beach in Sydney, Australia.[4][14]

Discography

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1999 The Nanny Alex Fine 1 episode, "The Game Show"
2005 Be Cool Herself Main role[15]
2007 Dancelife
2008 Rock and a Hard Place
Make It Happen Brooke Supporting role
2008–2009 MTV News[15] Herself 6 episodes
2010 Maxim Does Spring Break Host
Dance Your Ass Off Guest Judge
Ambush Karaoke Host Unaired pilot
2011 Temptation of Wife Appearance role
All About Aubrey[15] Herself 2 episodes
VH1'S 100 Greatest Songs of the 00s
2012 VH1′s 100 Greatest Women In Music
Total Drama Voice of Sindy 3 episodes
90210 Penny 1 episode, "Into the Wild"
I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Herself Came second place
2013–2014 Dancing on Ice Judge
2013– Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway Host 'Ant vs. Dec' segment
'Best Seats in the House' segment
2013 This Morning Herself Reporter for the I'm a Celebrity... segment
2014 WWE Legends House Host
2015 The Jump Contestant Second series
Keith Lemon's Back T'Future Tribute Lorraine One-off ITV2 special
2015–2016 The Keith Lemon Sketch Show Various characters

Guest appearances

Documentaries

Year Title Role Notes
2012 VH1's Behind the Music Herself Nicole Scherzinger and Brief about PCD

References

  1. "pcdworld.co.uk | PCDWorld > Pussycat Dolls Biography > Ashley Roberts". PCDWorld. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  2. "Aaron Carter - I'm not too old, Not too Young". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  3. Carrucan, Catrin (11 May 2013). "Celebrity secrets: Ashley Roberts". express.co.uk. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 "Tumblr.com". Ashleyroberts.tumblr.com. 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-03-08.
  5. "Her Majesty & The Wolves - Stars In Your Eyes Official Video". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  6. "Bobby Newberry Ft. Jessie & The Toy Boys - Dirrty Up - Official Music Video". Youtube.com. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  7. "Ashley Roberts- All in a day teaser". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  8. 1 2 "Ashley Roberts - I'm A Celebrity 2012: Celebrities". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  9. Geddes, Robin (31 March 2014). "Ashley Roberts announces new single 'Clockwork', debut solo album". Digital Spy. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  10. "Ashley Roberts confirms new single 'Woman Up', details debut album - Music News". Digital Spy. 2014-06-30. Retrieved 2014-08-11.
  11. Dadds, Kimberley (29 December 2012). "'I'm beyond excited': I'm A Celeb's Ashley Roberts signs up to be the new Dancing On Ice judge". Daily Mail. London. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  12. Ledger, Emma (30 March 2013). "It's fake tan time! Ashley Roberts shows us how it's done as the new face of Garnier No Streaks Bronzer". The Mirror. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  13. "Sexy Beach Lingerie". Youtube.com. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  14. 1 2 3 Gorman, Bill. "Ashley Roberts - IMDb". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  15. "Catchphrase | Series 2 - 12. Catchphrase Celebrity Special". Radio Times. 2013-04-08. Retrieved 2014-08-11.

External links

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