Actress and musician Simone Ashley joins Jay for an intimate conversation about navigating sudden global fame, redefining self-worth beyond career expectations, and letting go of societal timelines. Simone details her breakthrough journey from lockdown uncertainties to leading Bridgerton, how her mother taught her to love her skin and embrace cultural identity, and why stepping into music with her debut EP 'Songs I Wrote In New York' allowed her to access a raw, instinctual form of creative expression.

Together, Jay and Simone dive into the crucial distinction between solitude and loneliness, how envy can slowly destroy friendships, and why finding a 'co-creator' in love means choosing someone who makes life simpler rather than more complex. If you're feeling behind in life or searching for the confidence to trust your own timing, this episode offers a heartwarming reminder that your path unfolds exactly when it is meant to.

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00:00:00 Intro 

00:00:53 How Much Can Shift In Five Years

00:01:30 From Lockdown to Bridgerton: Career Breakthrough

00:05:16 Identity and Confidence as an Indian Actress

00:08:41 Impact of Representation and Personal Reflections

00:12:56 Assessing Past Strengths and Potential Regrets

00:13:37 Comparing School Experiences 

00:14:23 Mother's Lesson on Non-Materialism 

00:15:35 Defining True Friendship and Overcoming Envy

00:17:34 Women Supporting Each Other Beyond Competition

00:18:40 Loneliness vs Solitude

00:24:26 Desires, Dreams, and Simpler Life Aspirations

00:26:07 How to Manifest Love…

00:28:20 The Power of Honesty in Relationships

00:29:25 This is What Handling Rejection Looks Like 

00:32:42 Your Emotional Response to Rejection is OK 

00:34:08 Balancing Career Ambition with Personal Relationships

00:34:53 Evolving Partner Values As You Grow

00:36:55 Self-Belief is the Foundation for Success

00:38:02 Dream Projects and Core Personal Values

00:39:19 Creation is the Opposite of Depression 

00:40:06 The Songwriting Process and Developing Her Unique Sound

00:42:36 Vulnerability in Music and Overcoming That Fear 

00:43:39 Analyzing 'Freeze' and 'Tragic Romantic' Lyrics

00:46:33 The Song 'Free' and Its Emotional Significance

00:49:39 Finding the Art Form That Perfectly Aligns with Your Soul  

00:52:10 Would-You-Rather Dating Game 

00:56:42 Aging, Timelines, and Comparing Life Paths

01:02:41 The Most Painful Lesson She Learned From This Rejection

01:05:40 What Are Sliding-Door Moments?

01:05:26 Don’t Feel Bad For Being Desperate

01:07:10 Questioning Answers and The Biggest Pressure in Her 30’s

01:10:08 Dreaming of An Escape and What That Really Means 

01:13:00 The Perspective Shift That Changed Everything 

01:14:33 Simone on Final Five

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/simoneashley/

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@simoneashleyofficial

Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/artist/simoneashley

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