ASHLEY VERSHER – Tyler Perry’s Straw

Ashley Versher is striking a chord right now for her mesmerizing performance as Lena in the critically-acclaimed Netflix drama series Beauty In Black. The story follows a stripper whose life turns upside down when she becomes involved in a dangerous situation with a rich family involved in a sex trafficking scheme. As Lena, Versher is a formidable and assertive attorney who stands as a pillar of resilience while also doubling as a vocal advocate for natural hair in her relentless pursuit of justice.

When Versher first read the script, he was blown away by its intensity. “It was a true page turner,” he said. “Drama oozed off every page. She has said that she is very proud that her character is a representation of strength and beauty, and is an important representation of the natural hair journey on a world stage. A multi talented artist, she credits her formative years spent in New York as a catalyst for her passion for filmmaking, specifically citing the influence of Black creatives and women who spearheaded the independent film movement.

Advocacy & Creative Initiatives

Versher, who believes that saying your goals out loud is the first step to making them happen, has used her platform to call out complicated social issues. That philosophy inspired her to write and create Brief Exchanges, a movie about the nuanced microaggressions that black women face in New York City. In addition to her own productions, she is passionate about fostering the next generation of talent through her work with Made In Her Image, a nonprofit organization focused on empowering young women and non binary youth of color in the media landscape.

As for the future, the San Francisco born actress is set to star in the upcoming Netflix film Straw, due out in 2025 in a supporting role. Versher has been working alongside industry legends like Taraji P. Henson and Teyana Taylor, and said it was an incredible and unexpected gift to see Henson at work, calling it a transformational experience. Inspired by her personal mantra of picturing the life you want to live, Versher is steadily growing her footprint as a dynamic actress, writer and filmmaker.