Jump to content

Ashley Benson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ashley Benson
Benson in 2012
Born
Ashley Victoria Benson

(1989-12-18)December 18, 1989(age 34)[1]
Anaheim Hills,California,U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active2002–present
Spouse
Brandon Davis
​
(m.2023)​
Children1
AwardsFull list
Websitewww.ashbyashleybenson.com

Ashley Victoria Benson(born December 18, 1989) is an American actress and singer. She is known for her role asHanna Marinin the teen mystery-drama seriesPretty Little Liars(2010–2017). Benson has starred in films, includingBring It On: In It to Win It(2007),Christmas Cupid(2010),Spring Breakers(2012),Ratter(2015),Chronically Metropolitan(2016),Her Smell(2018), andPrivate Property(2022). She has receivedvarious accolades,including fourTeen Choice Awards,aYoung Hollywood Award,as well as threePeople's Choice Awardnominations.

Early life

[edit]

Ashley Victoria Benson was born on December 18, 1989, inAnaheim Hills,Californiato parents Shannon and Jeff Benson. She has an older sister, Shaylene.[2]

Career

[edit]

2000s: Early work and recognition

[edit]

Benson began dancing competitively at age three, studyingballet,jazz,tapandhip hop.She began singing in choirs and musicals at a young age, performing a solo at her church at age four. When she was eight years old she signed withFord Models,and appeared in a number of print ads.[3]

Benson appeared on the daytime soapDays of Our LivesasAbigail Deverauxfrom 2004 to 2007.[3]

Benson made her big screen debut with a bit part in the 2004 comedy13 Going on 30.She starred as Carson inBring It On: In It to Win It(2007), the fourth installment of theBring It Onfranchise.The role required her to both overcome herfear of heightsto perform the cheerleading stunts,[3]and to end her contract withDays of our Lives:

I got off it, I mean I had talked with the producers about doing this film, and they weren't going to let me do it... I had just passed up so many opportunities where I could have done a film. So this big thing just came up, and I ended up getting to do this. I'm happier that I got off the soap though. I mean I give all my credit to them, because I have learned so much from being on soap operas and working with amazing actors who've been on there for like thirty, forty years. It was an honor to work with them. It's definitely given me all my background. But getting off the soap opera helped me a lot too, because I can move on to bigger and better things. So I am definitely thankful I got to be on a soap opera though.[4]

She recalled working on a film set instead of a soap opera set "definitely weird", because she would spend days working on one or two scenes, whereas on theDays of Our Livesset, she filmed two or three episodes a day. ForBring It On: In It to Win It,she had to attend cheerleading practice, which was "hard for [her], because [she is] afraid of heights."[5]Nonetheless, she was "glad" to do her own stunts, even though she "wasn't expecting it to be so hard."[4]

In 2008, she appeared in theLifetimeoriginal filmFab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal,where she played head cheerleader Brooke Tippit, a character loosely inspired by Karrissa Theret of the Fab Five. The film is based on a true story which took place atMcKinney North High Schoolin Texas. She became good friends with her onscreen motherTatum O'Neal,from whom she learned about acting.[6]Furthermore, she was excited to land a supporting role inBart Got a Room,which aired mainly on film festivals in 2008 before having a limited release in 2009, because it allowed her to work withWilliam H. Macy.[5]She also played a witch disguised as acheerleaderin a 2008 episode ofThe CWseriesSupernatural.[7]

In 2009, Benson starred inABC's short-lived supernatural comedy television seriesEastwick.[3][8][9]The show was based onJohn Updike's novel,The Witches of Eastwick,and the1987 film adaptionof the same name. The series only lasted 11 episodes before ABC cancelled the series due to low ratings but has since gained acult following.

2010s: Transition to drama and breakthrough

[edit]
Benson in 2012

In December 2009, Benson was cast asHanna Marinin theABC Familymystery-thriller teen drama seriesPretty Little Liars,based on thenovel seriesbySara Shepard.Hanna is the "diva" and "It girl"of the group, having takenAlison DiLaurentis' place as the most popular girl at Rosewood High in Alison's absence. The series premiered to 2.47 million viewers with Benson's performance being praised by critics. She also received a number of awards and nominations. Benson reprised the role in the spin-off seriesRavenswoodin two episodes.

In 2010, Benson starred in the television filmChristmas CupidalongsideChristina MilianandChad Michael Murray,which also aired on ABC Family.[10]In January 2012, Benson was cast in the filmSpring Breakers,afterEmma Robertsdropped out due to creative reasons.[11]The film centers on four college students who are arrested and bailed out by a drug and arms dealer, who sends them out to do some dirty work onspring break.[12]The film co-starredSelena Gomez,Vanessa Hudgens,andJames Franco.Filming took place in March and April 2012, and the film was released in March 2013.[13]

In the January 21, 2013, episode of theCBSsitcomHow I Met Your Mother,Benson appeared as Carly Whittaker,Barney Stinson's half-sister who datedTed Mosby.That same month, Benson became the face of eveningwear designer Faviana.[14]

She starred in the 2015 independent horror thriller filmRatter,playing Emma Taylor, a girl who is stalked through her technological devices. That same year, she also appeared inPixelsas Lady Lisa, a fictional game character brought to life. In 2016, Benson appeared in the biographical comedy-drama filmElvis & Nixonas Margaret.

In 2018, it was announced that Benson would star alongsideCara DelevingneandElisabeth MossinAlex Ross Perry'smusic drama filmHer Smell,[15]and the film received generally positive reviews.[16]For thefilm's soundtrack,Benson didall her own vocals.

2020s: Music ventures and later return to film

[edit]

In 2020, Benson was featured on "Creep"byG-Eazy,a cover version of theRadioheadsong.[17]She also appeared in the music videos previously forNLT's "That Girl",One Call's "Black Light", andHot Chelle Rae's "Honestly".

Personal life

[edit]

Benson's former co-star and friendTyler Blackburnmade a revelation about the nature of their relationship during an interview in 2019. He stated: "in navigating our relationship as co-workers and also as friends sometimes the lines blurred a little. We had periods when we felt more for each other". The pair ultimately remained good friends.[18]From 2018 to 2020, Benson was in a high-profile relationship with English modelCara Delevingne.[19]She dated rapperG-Eazyfrom 2020 to 2021.[20]Benson has been in a relationship with Brandon Davis (grandson of late billionaireMarvin Davis) since January 2023.[21]She resides inLos Angeles.Benson and Davis got engaged in July 2023.[22]That same year, they married.[23]In February 2024, Benson gave birth to their first child.[24]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2004 13 Going on 30 Six Chick
2005 Neighbors Mindy Short film
2007 Bring It On: In It to Win It Carson Direct-to-video
2008 Bart Got a Room Alice
2012 Spring Breakers Brit
2015 Ratter Emma Taylor Also camera operator[25]
2015 Pixels Lady Lisa
2016 Elvis & Nixon Margaret
2016 Chronically Metropolitan Jessie
2018 Her Smell Roxie Rotten
2018 Ask Me If I Care Alice Short film
2021 The Birthday Cake Tracey
2022 Private Property Kathryn Carlyle
2022 The Loneliest Boy in the World Margot
2022 Angry Neighbors Amberson girl
2023 Alone at Night Vicky Also producer
2023 Mob Land Caroline Conners
2024 McVeigh Cindy
TBA Good Side of a Bad Man Ruby

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2002 The District Melissa Howell Episode: "Explicit Activities"
2002 The West Wing Girl Episode: "Game On"
2002 Nikki Dancer Episode: "Working Girl" (unaired)
2004 Strong Medicine April Episode: "Cape Cancer"
2004–2007 Days of Our Lives Abigail Deveraux Role held: November 12, 2004 – May 2, 2007
2005 7th Heaven Margot 2 episodes
2005 Zoey 101 Candice Episode: "Quinn's Date"
2006 The O.C. Riley Episode: "The Summer Bummer"
2008 Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal Brooke Tippit Television film
2008 CSI: Miami Amy Beck Episode: "Bombshell"
2008 Supernatural Tracy Davis Episode: "It's the Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester"
2009 Eastwick Mia Torcoletti Main role
2010 Christmas Cupid Caitlin Quinn Television film
2010–2017 Pretty Little Liars Hanna Marin Main role, 160 episodes
2012 Punk'd Herself Episode: "Heather Morris"
2013 How I Met Your Mother Carly Whittaker Episode: "Ring Up!"
2013–2014 Ravenswood Hanna Marin Special guest star, 2 episodes
2014 Family Guy Dakota (voice) Episode: "Brian's a Bad Father"
2015 Barely Famous Herself Episode: "Bananas Foster"
2023 Wilderness Cara Parker Main role, 4 episodes

Web

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2011 CollegeHumorOriginals Ashley Episode: "Secret Girl Language"
2020 Lady Parts Herself Episode: "How to Survive Puberty"
2021 Sorry Charlie Miller Charlie Miller Voice role; podcast series

Music videos

[edit]
Year Title Artist(s) Role Ref.
2002 "True Love" Lil' RomeofeaturingSolange Knowles Girl #1 [26]
2007 "That Girl" NLT Love Interest [27]
2008 "We Don't Have to Look Back Now" Puddle of Mudd The Girlfriend [28]
2010 "Black Light" One Call Love Interest [29]
2012 "Honestly" Hot Chelle Rae Girl [30]
2019 "Can't Wait" The Akergirls Roxie Rotten [31]
2020 "Imagine" Gal Gadot& Friends Herself [32]

Discography

[edit]
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Stars Go Out"(as Cindy Ultra)[33] 2017 None None
"Breathe" 2019 Elisabeth Moss,Agyness Deyn,
Gayle Rankin,Cara Delevingne,
Dylan GelulaandAmber Heard 		Her Smell
"Can't Wait" Cara Delevingne and Dylan Gelula
"Creep" 2020 G-Eazy None
"All the Things You're Searching For" G-Eazy andKossisko Everything's Strange Here

Songwriting credits

[edit]
Title Year Artist(s) Album Credits Written with
"Every Night of the Year" 2020 G-Eazy Everything's Strange Here Co-writer Gerald Gillum,Dakarai Gwitira,John Michael Rouchell

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Work Result
2011 Young Hollywood Awards Cast to Watch(withTroian Bellisario,Lucy HaleandShay Mitchell) Pretty Little Liars Won
Youth Rock Awards[34] Rockin' TV Actress Won
2013 Alliance of Women Film Journalists Awards Actress Most in Need of a New Agent(withRachel Korine,Selena GomezandVanessa Hudgens) Spring Breakers Nominated
Capricho Awards Best Make Out(withJames FrancoandVanessa Hudgens) Nominated
Best International Actress Pretty Little Liars Nominated
2014 MTV Movie Awards Best Kiss(withJames FrancoandVanessa Hudgens) Spring Breakers Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Summer TV Star – Female Pretty Little Liars Won
Candie's Choice Style Icon Herself Nominated
2015 People's Choice Awards Favorite Cable TV Actress Pretty Little Liars Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Summer TV Star: Female Won
2016 People's Choice Awards Favorite Cable TV Actress Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress: Drama Won
Choice TV: Chemistry(withTyler Blackburn) Won
2017 People's Choice Awards Favorite Cable TV Actress Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress: Drama Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^"13 Things You Didn't Know About" Pretty Little Liars "Star Ashley Benson".Seventeen Magazine.Hearst Digital Media.
  2. ^"Anaheim Hills teen stars in cheerleading movie".December 17, 2007.
  3. ^abcd"Ashley Benson: Biography".TV Guide.Archivedfrom the original on October 29, 2013.RetrievedApril 25,2013.
  4. ^abLoggins, Emma (December 10, 2007)."Interview: Ashley Benson from Bring It On: In It To Win It".FanBolt.Archivedfrom the original on December 29, 2016.RetrievedDecember 29,2016.
  5. ^ab"Interview with Ashley Benson, October 2007".TheStarScoop.com.October 2007.Archivedfrom the original on August 15, 2010.RetrievedSeptember 4,2010.
  6. ^"Ashley Benson: Learning New Things".myLifetime.com.Archived fromthe originalon July 31, 2010.RetrievedSeptember 4,2010.
  7. ^"Did You Know These 30 Actors Were on 'Supernatural'?".buddytv.com. April 19, 2016.RetrievedMay 28,2017.
  8. ^EastwickcastArchivedSeptember 30, 2009, at theWayback MachinePopTower
  9. ^Eastwick bios, MiaABC.comArchivedOctober 8, 2009, at theWayback Machine
  10. ^"ABC Family Announces Additional Casting for its Upcoming Pilots" Melissa & Joey, "" Untitled Michael Jacobs Project "and" Pretty Little Liars. ""(PDF).ABC Family Press Release. December 7, 2009. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on December 30, 2010.RetrievedDecember 30,2009.
  11. ^Peel, Sarah (January 31, 2012)."Ashley Benson Replaces Emma Roberts in Spring Breakers With Selena Gomez".BSCkids. Archived fromthe originalon January 22, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 7,2013.
  12. ^Sartor, Ryan (November 14, 2011)."Rachel Korine (Yes, Harmony's Wife) Joins 'Spring Breakers'".IndieWire.Archived fromthe originalon July 2, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 7,2013.
  13. ^Durbin, Jonathan (May 7, 2012)."Girls Gone Wild".Interview.Archivedfrom the original on May 17, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 7,2013.
  14. ^Stone, Rachel (January 7, 2013)."Ashley Benson is The New Face Of Faviana".BWW Fashion World.Archivedfrom the original on October 29, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 7,2013.
  15. ^Cusumano, Katherine (April 13, 2019)."Ashley Benson and Cara Delevingne Costar in a New Music Video forHer Smell".W.RetrievedMay 19,2022.
  16. ^"Her Smell".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango.RetrievedMay 19,2022.
  17. ^Selleck, Emily (April 22, 2020)."G-Eazy Drops Unexpected Duet Tracks With Ashley Benson: Listen To Their Radiohead Cover".Hollywood Life.RetrievedApril 23,2020.
  18. ^"Tyler Blackburn Said His Friendship with Ashley Benson" Blurred "into More in New Interview with Playboy".June 12, 2019.
  19. ^Gardner, Abby (September 2, 2019)."Cara Delevingne Just Opened Up About Her 'Sacred' Relationship with Ashley Benson".Glamour.RetrievedSeptember 27,2021.
  20. ^Chiu, Melody (February 9, 2021)."Ashley Benson and G-Eazy Split After Less Than a Year of Dating".People.RetrievedSeptember 27,2021.
  21. ^Jones, Alexis (February 3, 2023)."Ashley Benson Is Dating Brandon Davis: They Are 'Very Social People,' Says Source".People.com.
  22. ^Strohm, Emily (July 7, 2023)."Ashley Benson Is Engaged to Oil Heir Brandon Davis: 'My Best Friend'".People.com.
  23. ^"Pretty Little Liars Actress Ashley Benson Marries Oil Heir Brandon Davis".People.RetrievedNovember 9,2023.
  24. ^Staff, A. O. L. (February 29, 2024)."Ashley Benson Gives Birth, Welcomes 1st Baby With Brandon Davis".www.aol.com.RetrievedFebruary 29,2024.
  25. ^Saito, Stephen (January 25, 2015)."Slamdance '15 Review: Terror is Everywhere in" Ratter "".The Moveable Fest.RetrievedNovember 4,2020.
  26. ^"Lil' Romeo – True Love featuring Solange Knowles".February 9, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2021 – viaYouTube.
  27. ^"NLT – That Girl".December 20, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2021 – via YouTube.
  28. ^"Puddle of Mudd – We Don't Have to Look Back Now".November 30, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2021 – via YouTube.
  29. ^James, Nicole (December 10, 2010)."New Video: One Call, 'Blacklight'".MTV.Archived fromthe originalon June 27, 2022.RetrievedJune 27,2022.
  30. ^"Hot Chelle Rae – Honestly".March 23, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2021 – via YouTube.
  31. ^"Can't Wait – The Akergirls".April 12, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2021 – via YouTube.
  32. ^Laura Smith-Spark (March 19, 2020)."Gal Gadot enlists celebrity help for coronavirus 'Imagine' video".CNN.RetrievedMarch 20,2020.
  33. ^"Ashley Benson Releases New Song From Her Upcoming Untitled Film".Beautiful Ballad.December 16, 2017.
  34. ^"Ashley Benson wins 2011 Youth Rock Award For Best Actress" Announced ".Youth Rock Awards. December 8, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon March 4, 2016.RetrievedDecember 8,2011.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related toAshley Benson.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ashley_Benson&oldid=1234460762"