It’s the day before the L’Oréal Paris Défilé when I get on a Zoom call with Simone Ashley. She’s just flown into Paris and has a packed day of fittings and beauty appointments ahead of her but seems entirely unruffled. After all, she’s had a pretty full year.
At the start of the year, she made a brief return as Kate Sharma in Bridgerton, a character that audiences clearly still have plenty of feelings about. Then came The Devil Wears Prada 2, where she played Amari and gave us an excellent run of fashion moments along the way. (Apparently, she’s the one who came up with “Who gives away Chanel!”) Less expected, perhaps, has been her music career. Not many know that the 31-year-old is also a singer-songwriter and released her debut EP, Songs I Wrote in New York, in April.
For now, though, she’s in Paris, joining Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and a host of south Asian stars at the annual L’Oréal Paris show. Between everything on her schedule, Ashley talks to us about getting camera-ready, the skincare she relies on, finding time to enjoy Paris, and what’s coming next.
What does your ideal night before a major event look like?
Usually, hopefully, I get a good sleep. And if I don’t, I drink lots of water and go to the gym. I love lifting weights. And if I can get a steam or sauna in and a really good meal and a cocktail, then it’s just Zen vibes. In Paris, I’m very lucky with L’Oréal Paris. I always get put up in a nice hotel.
What’s your current skincare routine like, knowing that your face is going to be photographed from every angle tomorrow?
On the inside, it’s confidence and loving the work that I do and just enjoying the moment. And on the outside, definitely a good amount of moisturiser, which makes me feel camera-ready, and drinking lots of water. I love using my L’Oréal Paris moisturiser and hyaluronic serum.
If you could bring one piece from Amari’s wardrobe to tomorrow’s runway, what would you steal?
There was this look in the Vogue montage in Milan. It’s a Dolce & Gabbana look and it’s a black skirt with a black bra. I loved that look.
This year’s theme, of course, is “Express Your Worth”. What does expressing your worth mean to you, both on and off the runway?
I think confidence, feeling strong, and not feeling the need to prove myself because I know my worth.
And what does the morning after the show look like?
With my schedule, it’s usually straight back to work. This year, I’m going straight to a shoot and then I have to head back to London for production and filming. But it’s usually sleep and going to the gym.
If you had three completely free hours in Paris with nowhere you needed to be, how would you spend them?
I love the food at Le Bristol. It is a treat—full of butter and delicious. I love going vintage shopping and seeing the sights. There’s just beautiful architecture in Paris. So, it’s just nice to just walk around and not really go anywhere specific and experience the beauty of the streets.
There’s a lot on the horizon for you. What does the next chapter look like?
Well, this year has been a really exciting one. In November, I have my first concert performance in Mumbai. Then I start the press tour for Only Murders in the Building, which is premiering in December. And then I have a new single coming out in January and a movie with A24 called Peaked, out next year. So, I’ll be in between that, filming and recording but releasing a lot of new stuff.
What is one piece of advice you would give to young women who are still finding their voice?
To not be afraid to express yourself and what your worth means to you.
