Actors
Everything You Need to Know About Simone Ashley’s Ethnicity and Parents
Ever since the premiere of its second season on Friday, March 25, the Netflix romance period drama Bridgerton has been receiving a lot of public attention and so have its cast members.
Simone Ashley, who appeared in the second season as Kathani “Kate” Sharma, is one of the cast members. The actress has also appeared in Netflix’s Sex Education and will be starring in the upcoming 2023 film The Little Mermaid.
Simone Ashley’s Indian Heritage
Simone Ashwini Pillai, professionally known as Simone Ashley, was born on March 30, 1995, in Camberley, Surrey, England.
Both her parents, Latha and Gunasekharan Pillai, are first-generation immigrants from Southern India and belong to Tamilian heritage.
Her nationality is British and she grew up in the market time in Beaconsfield with her siblings and relatives, where she found her love in theatre, music, dancing, and arts.
Simone Ashley’s Parents Were Concerned about Her Acting Career
Most of Ashley’s family and close relatives were involved in academic careers, unlike the actress who was passionate about the arts from a young age. She grew up playing the piano and performing Italian opera and wanted to pursue an artistic career.
This resulted in her parents showing their concerns about their daughter chasing her dreams in the field of arts. She described her parents as being “quite protective” in her initiate days in the industry to Glamour Magazine.
“They’re the first generation. They came from India to this country, so they didn’t really have a life where they could choose to be whatever they wanted,” she expressed. “There is no crystal ball, no security, no guarantee, which can be a parent’s worst nightmare.”
Nevertheless, moving past their initial reluctance, Ashley’s parents showed support for their daughter’s aspirations and her mom even took her to her dance and singing lessons.
The Surrey-native took courage and pursued acting and theatre in Redroofs Theatre School and then went on to graduate from ArtsEd school in Chiswick.
After her graduation, she went on to star in movies like Boogie Man, Kill Ben Lyk, and Detective Pikachu before landing her prominent role in Sex Education in 2019.
She told Veylex that careers in the film industry are built mostly built on connections and it is incredibly difficult coming from Indian heritage to get roles in Hollywood.
Although she had no one she could look up to to provide her the opportunities, she was incredibly driven to establish herself as an actress. Ashley expressed that she is proud of her ethnicity and excited to see India being represented in Hollywood.
However, she told Net-A-Porter that doesn’t view herself as the representative of the Indian community and that she is just an actress at the end of the day.
“I am deeply proud of my ethnicity but no, I’m not a spokesperson for Indian people, I’m an actress,” she said. “For me, my responsibility is to read the script, do the work, turn up on set and do a great job.”
Playing Kate Is a Dream Come True for Simone Ashley
The 27-year-old actress explained that she studied a lot of classical music and enjoyed period dramas growing up.
“I grew up singing quite a lot and studied a lot of classical music, and then that kind of led into musical theater and I fell in love with musicals,” she told Variety.
Being featured in Bridgerton was a childhood dream coming true for her and she is grateful for the opportunity to feature in the Netflix special.
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Gordon Cormier Net Worth
Gordon Cormier is a young Canadian actor. He rose to fame by playing Joe in The Stand in 2020. Now, he is set to portray the iconic character of Aang in the upcoming Netflix live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series.
This highly anticipated role has generated much interest in his career and net worth. In this article, we will discuss his net worth, his acting journey so far, and his highly anticipated role in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Gordon Cormier net worth and career
Cormier is a rising Canadian teen actor who has amassed a net worth estimated to be between $1-2 million. His budding career and recent high-profile roles have helped him accumulate this impressive net worth at such a young age.
Cormier, of Filipino descent, grew up in Vancouver and developed an interest in acting from an early age. He made his television debut in 2017 with a small role in the series Get Shorty.
He followed this up with appearances in shows like Lost in Space in 2018. His breakout role came in 2020 when he was cast as Joe in the television adaptation of Stephen King’s novel The Stand.
Playing a young boy who becomes the ward of Nadine Cross, his performance brought him mainstream attention and critical acclaim.
Building on this success, Cormier landed the highly coveted role of portraying the iconic character Aang in the upcoming Netflix live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
With his talent, versatility, and ability to take on challenging roles at such a young age, his net worth is poised to grow substantially in the coming years as he continues to impress audiences with his performances.
Gordon Cormier debuted with a minor role in ‘Get Shorty’
Cormier made his television debut with a minor role in the comedy-drama series Get Shorty in 2019.
The series, based on Elmore Leonard’s 1990 novel of the same name, follows Miles Daly, a former Nevada-based criminal who attempts to leave his life of crime behind and become a movie producer in Hollywood.
Cormier had a small role in one episode of the show’s third season, portraying a character named Guatemalan Urchin.
While not a main cast member, his appearance in the series marked his first foray into the world of acting and provided him with valuable experience early in his career.
Get Shorty itself was a critically acclaimed show, praised for its slick production values and the chemistry between the main cast members, which included Chris O’Dowd, Ray Romano, and Sean Bridgers.
The series, which ran for three seasons and 27 episodes, was described as an homage to the original novel rather than a direct adaptation, borrowing the basic premise but creating its own unique characters and storylines.
Gordon Cormier leads the live adaptation of ‘Avatar: The Last Air Bender’
Cormier, the young Canadian actor, has landed the highly coveted lead role of Aang in the live-action adaptation of the beloved animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender.
This high-profile casting choice marks a significant milestone in his career and showcases his immense talent and potential.
At just 12 years old, he will take on the iconic character of Aang, the last remaining Airbender who must master the four elements and end the Fire Nation’s ambition of conquering the world.
Portraying the Avatar, a position that serves as the bridge between the mortal and spirit worlds, places a considerable burden on Cormier’s shoulders.
However, his previous performances, including his breakout role in The Stand, have demonstrated his ability to tackle complex characters with depth and nuance.
The live-action series, set to premiere on Netflix on February 22, 2024 will bring the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender to life in a way that has never been seen before.
It consists of visually stunning bending sequences and a diverse ensemble cast that reflects the cultural inspirations of the original animated series.
As the lead actor, Cormier will be at the forefront of this ambitious adaptation, guiding the narrative and serving as the anchor for the show’s central themes of balance, harmony, and the interconnectedness of all elements.
His performance as Aang will undoubtedly shape the series’ success and solidify his status as a rising star in the entertainment industry.
Gordon Cormier was a huge fan of the animated show even before landing the lead role
Cormier’s portrayal of Aang in Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender is a professional commitment and a labor of love.
Long before landing the coveted role, Cormier was a devoted fan of the original animated series, immersing himself in the world of Avatar to an extent that surpasses even the most ardent enthusiasts.
In an interview, Cormier’s co-stars, including Ian Ousley (Sokka) and Dallas Liu (Prince Zuko), playfully debated who among them could claim the title of the show’s biggest fan.
While Ousley acknowledged Kiawentiio’s (Katara) lifelong connection to the series, Liu revealed a surprising fact about Cormier’s dedication: the young actor had watched the original Nickelodeon cartoon a staggering 26 times in preparation for his role as Aang.
Gordon Cormier as Avatar Aang (Source: Empire)
Cormier’s commitment to studying the source material is a testament to his passion for the project and his desire to capture the essence of Aang with authenticity and depth.
By immersing himself in the original series to such an extent, Cormier has not only gained a profound understanding of Aang’s character but has also absorbed the nuances, themes, and cultural influences that make Avatar: The Last Airbender so beloved.
It is not uncommon for actors to revisit source material when portraying iconic characters, but Cormier’s dedication to watching the show 26 times demonstrates an exceptional level of devotion.
This level of preparation suggests that Cormier’s performance as Aang will be infused with a deep appreciation for the character’s journey, personality, and place within the rich tapestry of the Avatar universe.
With Cormier’s extensive knowledge of Aang and the world of Avatar, coupled with the collective passion of the cast, audiences can expect a faithful and immersive interpretation of the beloved story.