Who Is Ashley Park? Actor Playing Mindy Chen In Emily In Paris

Ashley Jini Park, born on June 6, 1991, in Glendale, California, is a distinguished American actor and musician celebrated for her diverse roles on stage and screen. She gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Mindy Chen in the Netflix comedy series Emily in Paris. Park's career highlights include originating the role of Gretchen Wieners in the Broadway musical Mean Girls, a performance that earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical.

Early Life and Passion for the Arts

Park's early life in Ann Arbor, Michigan, was marked by a rich engagement in the arts. Of Korean descent and a second cousin to actor Justin H. Min, she began dance classes at the Oceanside Dance Academy at the young age of three and started piano lessons at five. Her love for performing arts flourished as she participated in community theatre throughout her middle and high school years.

Overcoming Adversity

During her sophomore year at Pioneer High School, Park faced a significant challenge when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia at age 15. After eight months of hospitalization and intense chemotherapy, Park's determination and passion for the arts helped her recover. Her cancer experience profoundly influenced her pursuit of a career in theatre. Just three months after her treatment, she returned to school and starred as Millie Dillmount in her high school's production of Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Academic and Early Career Achievements

After graduating from Pioneer High School in 2009, Park attended the University of Michigan, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre in 2013. During her college years, she co-founded the Michigan Performance Outreach Workshop (MPOW), aiming to provide performing arts education to students in southeastern Michigan.

Professional Theatre Debut

Park's professional theatre debut came in 2009 with her role as Yvonne in Music Theatre Wichita's production of Miss Saigon. This was followed by summer performances at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera's Benedum Center, where she earned her Equity card.

Broadway and Beyond

Park made her Broadway debut in the ensemble of Mamma Mia! at the Broadhurst Theatre in 2014. She later joined the U.S. national tour of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella as Gabrielle. In 2015, she took on her first leading Broadway role as Tuptim in the revival of The King and I, a performance that earned her a Grammy nomination as a principal soloist on the cast recording.

In 2017, Park played MwE in the off-Broadway musical KPOP, earning nominations for several prestigious awards and winning a Lucille Lortel Award. She also starred in the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical Mean Girls, originating the role of Gretchen Wieners and earning multiple award nominations for her performance.

Transition to Screen: Emily in Paris and Other Iconic Screen Roles

In 2019, Park was cast as Mindy Chen in Netflix's Emily in Paris, a role that brought her international fame. The series premiered in October 2020 and was quickly renewed for subsequent seasons. Park's performance, particularly her rendition of "La Vie en Rose," was a standout, becoming the most downloaded TV song of the week.

Throughout her career, Park has been dedicated to philanthropy and advocacy. As a student, she was involved in the Prison Creative Arts Project and co-founded MPOW. She has participated in events supporting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and has raised significant funds for Covenant House and other organizations.

Mentorship and Activism

Park has served as a mentor and held masterclasses for various programs, contributing her time and expertise to support emerging talent in the arts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she creatively used social media to offer lessons and Q&A sessions, raising funds for the Actors Fund.

Ashley Park's journey from a passionate young performer in Ann Arbor to a celebrated actress on Broadway and international screens is a testament to her talent, resilience, and dedication to the arts. Her contributions extend beyond her performances, as she continues to inspire and support others through her philanthropic efforts and advocacy for arts education.