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Issue link: https://digital.miamilivingmagazine.com/i/1450605
Taking Off In the Magic City In 2014, I went to Swim Week in Miami for the first time, and that launched my career. Swim Week is held every year in early July, so it’s around 95 degrees and we waited 3-4 hours per casting with 300 models auditioning for the same jobs and trying not to melt. I remember thinking that I would love to give up and go home. The other models were mean and I was the new one who did not know her way around. But luckily I booked 9 shows my first year and that was just the beginning. Year after year I came back and booked not only shows, but campaigns by working with the brands or getting recognition. Soon I was opening and closing shows. My schedule filled up so quickly that I could pick and choose the shows I wanted to do. I hardly had to do any auditions. My schedule for Miami Swim Week was booked months in advance. I went from being “the fat model” at NY to the face of Swim Week. I owned my curves and my long blonde hair and never looked back at the editorial model I was trying to be. I really have Miami to thank for launching my career to the next level. No pun intended, because my agency there was Next. Moving on to Sports Broadcasting What makes my work so unique is that when I started, not many women knew much about gambling. Since I started, more and more women are learning in this field because it’s a growing platform. I am actually a humble person, but I can say that with pride. I have paved the way for women in the sports betting field and I could not be happier. When I put my videos online, I was not sure if people would laugh at me or not understand. No one talked about gambling like we did, and for a woman to do this on social media... it’s unheard of! I am glad there are more strong women in this field. I think women should be cheering each other up. The more the merrier! Creating the “Ashley Against All Odds” Digital Series I watched football every Sunday with some male friends. I overheard them talking about bets they were going to make, and one time I interfered. I told them that the team they wanted to bet on would not cover the spread and that they should bet on the opposing team. Their jaws dropped at the fact I even knew what a spread was! They were really shocked when my prediction was correct so they asked me to do it again the following week. This time I decided to document it. I filmed the weekly football predictions and posted them on social media and YouTube, and called it “Ashley Against All Odds”. And a show was born! I realized I had a hidden talent, and at that time there were no women doing gambling shows, let alone models. When you look at me, you do not think this girl is a handicapper, let alone knows anything about sports, and that’s why I love doing it. I am a tall blonde woman and I know more about sports and gambling than most men. When my first year average was over 68% against the spread, people took notice. From then on, the show really took off! A few years later, I was offered a spot at Versa Studios in Manhattan across from Madison Square Garden. While all this was happening, I was still working full time as a model. While sitting in the hair and makeup chair about to walk a runway show I used the time to edit my prediction videos. I truly love it and am passionate about trying to help everyone beat Vegas. I could not help my grandfather who lost every penny to gambling and his family, so I do not want that to happen to anyone. If you are going to gamble, I at least want to give you the best odds of winning.