From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ashley Davies
Ashley Davies
Ashley Davies her sides. But then when they started matching us up,
they put me up for the character of Ashley. I thought,
’I’m so unprofessional, this girl has the part. Why am I
here?’ But they kept bringing us in together and loving
our chemistry and we became lovers at first sight!"[2]
Ashley’s background was revealed to show her as the
rich, detached daughter of ’80s rock royalty. It is Ashley
who broadens Spencer’s horizon, opening her up to a
grittier world, her sexuality and her first love.[3]
At first characterized as "the girl who is always the
first to build walls" and deflect emotion with sarcasm,
Portrayed by Mandy Musgrave
Ashley matures and softens through being with Spencer
First appearance Secret Truths as their relationship grows.[3] Her bad girl aspect are left
intact, along with the reality that at any moment she can
Last appearance On the Precipice
"break the heart" of the person closest to her.[3]
Cause/reason End of show In addition, Ashley is written to know who she is, who
Profile
she likes and what she wants. There is nothing artificial
or contrived about her presence.[4] Far from a plot device
Nickname(s) Ash or stereotype, she exudes confidence around everyone,
Gender Female except for when she is alone with Spencer. Spencer’s in-
nocence continually manages to intrigue Ashley, allow-
Occupation Season 1-2 - Student (G.E.D.) ing her to be vulnerable and insecure. This bares Ashley’s
Season 3 - Musician, Heiress
emotions in a real and heartfelt way to let Spencer in,
and is what makes their relationship as new to Ashley as
Ashley Davies is a fictional character from the television it becomes to Spencer,[4] later playing a central role in
series South of Nowhere. She attended King High School strengthening their bond.
before she got a 12.5 million dollar inheritance, and is
portrayed by actress Mandy Musgrave. Sexual orientation
A rebellious narcissist who is at times known to Ashley’s sexual orientation is a complex topic set by the
refuse the conformity of labels such as straight or gay, writers of the series. While sources that define the char-
the character has emerged as an icon among teenagers acter’s sexual orientation as gay are present,[4][5]
and young adults.[1] AskMen.com, for one, defines it as bisexual.[1] The char-
acter herself when asked, replied: "I’m not into labels."
Background Yet, she is able to unselfconsciously use words like "gay"
and "lesbian" to assert her sexuality, as well as accept
these as labels for herself.[4]
Casting and characterization Musgrave, when giving insight into the character’s
Actress Mandy Musgrave had originally auditioned for sexual identity, stated, "I think that Ashley has always
the role of Spencer Carlin. Spencer would eventually be- [been] known for being unpredictable. One of her famous
come her onscreen love interest, portrayed by actress lines is, ’I’m not into labels.’ She doesn’t have one, so
Gabrielle Christian. When describing her auditioning she’s not gay, she’s not straight."[6] Musgrave added, "But
process, Musgrave explained the casting directors swap- whoever she sees love in, she falls for that person. She’s
ping the roles between her and her co-star. She found not going for a physical package; she’s going for the inner
it "weird", but relayed their "immediate" chemistry.[2] I characteristics. I think that’s important, and I wish that
had forgotten my sides and she knew all of her lines," more humans could be like that. I think that she’s not
she said, "and we were going up for the same character worried about finding her sexual identity; it’s found. And
— Spencer then was known as ’Zooey’. We went in there she is the ’no label girl.’"[6]
and I thought ’Crap, this girl is amazing! She so has the In giving more back story to the character’s sexual
part, I don’t know my lines and I’m not prepared.’"[2] history, Aiden Dennison was detailed as Ashley’s one
Musgrave continued, "She knew her lines, so she gave me male romantic encounter and relationship. After Aiden
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ashley Davies
and another unknown male, she started dating girls ex-
clusively, all viewed by her as sexual adventures. Ashley’s
need to dominate her lovers was seen to change with
Spencer. Spencer became more than just another con-
quest for her. When the two broke up, this briefly
changed. Ashley again sought out Aiden and used him to
get over Spencer, her need to conquer once again pre-
sent.
Though Ashley’s heart is often seen to be with
Spencer, she exhibits what can be construed as romantic
feelings or at least a powerful emotional bond where Ai-
den is concerned.
Storyline
Season 1
Ashley Davies is born on April 21, 1989. She is raised into
a wealthy family, mostly by her mother. Her father is
Raife Davies (C.C. DeVille), a rock star who sleeps around,
does drugs, and is rarely home at all due to his constant
touring with his band, Purple Venom. Her mother is a so-
cialite who is almost never home. Her parents have been
divorced since Ashley was eight years old. She only sees
her father on special occasions such as her birthday. Ash-
ley suffers from being neglected, and as a result tends to
crave attention; she spends her entire life searching for
love, but the instant she finds it, she pushes it away be- Ashley (left) and Spencer (right).
cause she does not know how to handle it and believes
she will only cause the other person pain. discover her true sexuality due to Ashley, returns those
In the first episode, it is revealed that at one point in feelings, but Ashley keeps pushing her away because she
her life Ashley was dating Aiden Dennison. After the two "wants [her], but she doesn’t want to hurt [her]". Spencer
had sex, Ashley discovered that she was pregnant. She tells her that she cannot only take care of herself but
was going to keep the baby, saying that she wanted some- Ashley as well, and the two share a kiss that leads to both
body who she could finally love and who would always intercourse and the start of their romance.
love her back. She instead suffered a miscarriage and
the two broke up. Ashley then turned to girls and slept Season 2
around with various nameless girls quite often. After the
Ashley and her father have a dinner, to which Spencer is
breakup, she and Aiden rarely spoke. It is having Spencer
invited. Afterwards, while watching TV, Ashley discovers
Carlin in her life that results in her friendship with Aiden
that her father died only a short while later in a tragic
being restored.
car accident. Ashley is reasonably upset with her father’s
When Spencer arrives at King High in October of ju-
death and pushes Spencer away.
nior year, she first meets Ashley after literally running
At her father’s funeral, Ashley discovers that she has
into her and making her spill coffee, books, etc. Ashley,
a half sister (Kyla) and she realizes that all she ever knew
who is rude to her at first, later apologizes at the gym.
about her dad was a lie. Ashley does not like Kyla because
The two instantly become best friends, as Ashley opens
of what she represents (her father’s lies) and Ashley be-
Spencer’s world to a vast array of new possibilities.
comes angry when Spencer tries to integrate Kyla into
Ashley’s past with Madison Duarte is also revealed.
their group. She manages to deal with her family prob-
Ashley and Madison were once friends in freshman year
lems thanks to Spencer, who helps her along the way.
of high school, but once Aiden took an interest in Ashley,
As Spencer and Ashley’s relationship progresses,
Madison became jealous and broke off their friendship.
Spencer tries to keep their love a secret, but Ashley wants
Madison made fun of Ashley because of her sexuality and
it out in the open. She pressures Spencer to "come out"
found great enjoyment in harassing her. This continues
to her parents, but she is too afraid of what her devout
throughout the first season.
Catholic mother, Paula, will think. When Spencer’s moth-
Ashley visibly develops romantic feelings for
er walks in on Spencer and Ashley during an intimate
Spencer. It is clear that Spencer, who is beginning to
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ashley Davies
moment, she reacts angrily and throws Ashley out of the Ashley tells her to do the same thing before offering her
house; she tells Spencer that she cannot go to school be- the trip to Cabo). Ashley does, and Spencer is standing
cause she does not want her to see Ashley. She hires a there with a trench coat on; she drops it to reveal her
sexual therapist to "straighten her out", but Spencer’s fa- naked body, and they kiss, going inside of the loft where
ther, Arthur vehemently opposes this and puts his sup- the two make love. After this, they are back together as
port firmly behind his daughter. Paula begins to tolerate a couple and while Ashley deals with much music-related
Spencer and Ashley’s relationship. stuff and her father; her and Spencer have a complication
During prom, Madison apologizes to Ashley, saying about their future together. Ashley questions if Spencer
that she finally understands how much grief Ashley and is across the country to go to college or staying in the LA.
Spencer have gone through in order to be together. On the last episode, the series ends at a graduation par-
Tragedy abounds when the prom is the target of a ty with Ashley giving Spencer a key to the loft no matter
drive-by shooting. Several people die, including what choice Spencer makes and then Spencer tells her
Spencer’s adopted brother, Clay. that she was not going to go. They then share a kiss and
walk back out to the party.
Season 3
Following the shooting, Ashley leaves for Europe with Impact
her mother because she "just couldn’t deal". During her
time away, she does not talk to Spencer, who is mourning Ashley Davies made a significant impact on television.
the loss of her brother. Upon returning, she tries to talk Her famous line, "I’m not into labels", became a favorite
to her, but Spencer is not ready and only pushes her quote among viewers.[6] AskMen.com states the charac-
away. Ashley later tricks Spencer into talking; the two ter as an icon among teenagers and young adults,[1] while
kiss passionately for some time, but Spencer decides to AfterEllen.com describes her romance with Spencer Car-
break it off and stay broken up. She explains that Ashley lin as one that has made television history. "Lesbian teen
was not there for her when Clay died, and because Ashley romances on television rarely last beyond sweeps week,
"didn’t know what she wanted". This is their breakup and so the fact that the one between Ashley and girlfriend
prompts Ashley to have sex with Aiden, which Spencer Spencer (co-star Gabrielle Christian) has become such a
finds out about when Ashley shows up at school on the focal point of the program is remarkable indeed," stat-
back of Aiden’s motorcycle. This further angers Spencer. ed Karman Kregloe, Senior Writer and Director of Special
After getting her inheritance, Ashley offers Spencer a Projects of the website.[2]
trip to Cabo, but she declines because they both need to A popular love story, fan videos and fan fiction are
figure out their own paths in life. The night before Ashley rampant for the pairing, also known by the portmanteau
leaves, she talks to Spencer and tries once more to keep Spencer and Ashley When asked of all
"Spashley" for (Sp Ashley).
her in her life. After hanging up the phone, she turns the mania surrounding the couple, the fan videos in par-
over to face Aiden, and it is clear that she has slept with ticular, Musgrave stated her awareness:
him yet again. “ I have a MySpace account and I always switch ”
After getting her inheritance, Ashley decides to drop out the videos they have up there. Also, I type
out of high school and get her GED with Kyla. She and Ky- in things in the search engine for music for
la eventually bond and become very close, moving into a what I want to put on my page. And one day
loft together; they both buy the loft with the money they randomly I heard about this band called South
share that they inherited from their father. of Nowhere, and I thought ’Oh I’ll put them up
In the mid-season finale, entitled "Gay Pride", it is as joke.’ So I typed in ’South of Nowhere’ and
revealed that Spencer and her mother, Paula, had been our show came up, and I thought, ’For music?’
fighting about going to the Pride Festival. Paula tries to and they have some of our songs from the
convince Spencer that she cannot go herself because of show up there. It was really cool. People are so
her schedule at work, but Spencer is sure that she refuses interested in the show.[2]
to go due to homophobia. Ashley convinces Paula to go
by asking her what she is truly afraid of, and by telling In addition, fans have been known to ask Musgrave for
her to go to Pride as [her] mom for the day, since "God advice on how to come out to their friends and family, of-
knows [she] could use one every now and then". Paula ten thanking her for giving them the courage to be them-
and Ashley go to Pride together and meet Arthur and selves. Musgrave is seen as a spokesperson for gay youth,
Spencer there, and Spencer finally realizes why she real- who look to her for guidance. In response to this, she
ly fell in love with Ashley in the first place. After the fes- stated that it is a difficult title to live up to, but that she
tival, Spencer calls Ashley and says that "now it’s [her] is up for the task. "I’m trying," she said. "I’m trying to be
turn to open [her] front door" (which she is standing be- the best lesbian I can."[2]
hind; a direct reference to "Can’t Buy Me Love", where
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ashley Davies
References nowhere/characters/ashley-davies.html. Retrieved
2008-02-03.
[1] ^ "AskMen.com: Mandy Musgrave". AskMen.com. [4] ^ "South Of Nowhere". kissingfingertips.com.
http://www.askmen.com/women/ http://www.kissingfingertips.com/
celeb_profiles_actress_60/ southofnowhere.html. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
75_mandy_musgrave.html. Retrieved 2008-02-03. [5] "South of Nowhere". commonsensemedia.org.
[2] ^ Kregloe, Karman (2006-10-02). "Interview with http://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/
Mandy Musgrave of "South of Nowhere"". South-Nowhere.html. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
AfterEllen.com. http://www.afterellen.com/ [6] ^ Kregloe, Karman (2007-08-08). ""South of
People/2006/10/musgrave.html. Retrieved Nowhere" Season 3 Preview". AfterEllen.com.
2008-02-03. http://www.afterellen.com/TV/2007/8/
[3] ^ "Ashley Davies biography". the-n.com. southofnowhereseasonthreepreview?page=0%2C1.
http://www.teennick.com/shows/south-of- Retrieved 2008-02-03.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ashley_Davies&oldid=464416767"
Categories:
• South of Nowhere characters
• Fictional LGBT characters
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