Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Ashton.
Hi Cindy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My earliest memories were putting on sequins, dimming the lights in my living room, turning on the record player, and singing to my imaginary audience of millions. I always knew that performing was my destiny, along with my passion for educating others and being a strong advocate for the underdog.
In grade 9, I got kicked out of choir because the teacher said I couldn’t sing. I was crushed and lost hope. Then in grade 11, Mr. St. Cyr asked me to sing the solo for his stage band. I told him I didn’t have a good voice, but he insisted. Even through I was heavily bullied in school, 800 of my peers gave me a standing ovation. Thanks to that opportunity, I gained a 1% belief that I may be able to do it. Since then, that belief continued to grow.
I went on to train extensively and perform to do everything from opera, musical theatre, and comedy improv to becoming an Award-Winning TV host interviewing celebrities on the red carpet.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest struggles were my body and feeling like all the odds were stacked against me.
I was born with a 20% chance of living, heart failure, and structural damage on the left side of my body. I had my first heart surgery at 11 days old, followed by two more at ages 5 and 14. I had to have casts on my legs in hopes they would grow out properly, and I would be able to walk, let alone dance. I had to have speech therapy to speak properly, let alone sing. All the trauma to my body left me living in chronic pain and having to manage illness on a daily basis.
I have spent my whole life trying everything possible to reduce the pain (which I have significantly) and being able to perform, despite it all. I have had to say no to a lot of opportunities because it would have been too taxing on my health. And instead, I have had to create my own opportunities. And when I do get offers, I have to have those difficult conversations about what I need in place to do a great job whiling protecting my health.
And then, of course, there has been the ongoing battle of people seeing me on stage and screen, looking so vibrant, and then not believing that I live with several invisible illnesses. It’s one of the reasons why I am huge champion of the work that Invisible Disablities® are doing to educate the public.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In the past, I was known for my comedic and character roles as well as my ability to inspire and entertain an audience. Vocally, I am known for my Broadway/Opera voice. However, my whole life, I have written my own music and haven’t had the courage to put it out there… until now. Partially because I am SO known for what I do and partially because I had to feel safe within myself to express my true voice as an artist to the world.
My new original #StandingStrongSong is being released worldwide on Nov 3rd, 2022!!! It’s for anyone who has ever been bullied in any way or targeted because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or something else…My greatest hope is that this song will give my listeners a voice and a community to lean on. My friends tell me it’s a mix of soul, blues, R&B, and jazz.
What I am most proud of is my Telly Award for my body shaming episode on my TV show #CindyUncorked. I stripped down to my bra and underwear to show off all my scars and have bold conversations around how each of us are shamed for how we look. I interviewed a variety of people, including those who were shamed for being transgender, too ‘fat,’ too ‘skinny,’ having breasts that are too large, and more. Until today, people tell me how much that episode took away their shame and gave them a voice.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
As I really own my voice as an artist, I see myself continuing to put my music out to the world and use it as conversation pieces around various social issues. I am excited to get back on stage to perform with orchestras and big bands again. As an actor, I am looking to break into film and television.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cindyashton.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindyashtonofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CindyAshtonOfficial/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CindyAshton
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/cindyashton
Image Credits
Michael Kushner
