Ashley R. Singh, best known for disrupting South Asian stereotypes on social media, is now tackling the big screen with Doin’ It.
Doin’ It follows Maya (Lilly Singh), a 30-year-old Indian-American software engineer who, after losing her job and facing an identity crisis, returns to her hometown and reluctantly becomes a high school sex-ed teacher. Ashley portrays Crystal, a bold, fashion-forward South Asian character navigating identity, friendship, and sexuality. What starts as a temporary gig quickly spirals into a personal and professional awakening, not just for her students, but for herself. Doin It hit theaters nationwide on September 19.
On the social media front, Ashley has built a devoted following of over 300K, thanks to her viral comedy sketches that hilariously reimagine desi family life, dating culture, and the chaos of growing up brown in America. Her content — often written, directed, and produced entirely by her — mixes wit, heart, and cultural insight. Her first major viral hit, a goofy skit with her dad, earned over a million views and introduced audiences to the quirky, sarcastic family dynamic that remains a fan favorite.
Whether she’s creating a sketch, stepping into a character, or using her platform to challenge norms, Ashley is driven by a mission to make people feel deeply, joyfully, and sometimes uncomfortably. Additionally, Ashley dives into mixology, using South Asian based ingredients to curate experimental cocktails like her Pani Puri Martini.
Check out our interview with Ashley:
Doin It hits theaters soon, what are we in for with this film?
Ashley: You’re in for quite the ride. Lots of sex, laughs, and fun—mixed with deeper themes around self-discovery, confidence, and embracing who you are. It’s bold, wild, and crazy in the best way possible.
Who do you play in the film?
Ashley: I play Crystal, a high school student of Ms. Singh’s. She’s bold, rocking slaylicious looks to school, figuring herself out, and exploring her sexuality—a brown baddie just trying to live her best life.
Do you have any plans to celebrate the premiere?
Ashley: Yes! In New York City with the cast, which I’m so excited about. I can’t wait to reunite with my co-stars and also celebrate with my sister and brother-in-law there.
I know you more from your sketches on TikTok, so how did you become involved with Doin It?
Ashley: A producer saw my content and asked me to audition. I was shocked—it was my first real Hollywood audition. I sent in tapes for both Crystal (who I booked) and Jasmine. I didn’t hear back for a while and assumed nothing would come of it. I had even moved to Austin to start my second engineering internship with Tesla. On my 8th day there, I got the call that I’d booked Crystal. I was ecstatic. I had just settled into my apartment, but suddenly I was packing up and on a plane to Toronto to start filming. It was insane—but an experience I’m incredibly grateful for.
Was becoming an actress part of your plan, or was this more of an unexpected opportunity?
Ashley: The arts—singing and acting—always called to me. During Covid, I really tapped into it by making my own sketches, editing, and posting videos. It’s always been a passion, and I’m grateful I now get to make it a career. Truly a dream come true.
What about this story or playing Crystal excited you the most?
Ashley: I love Crystal because she’s everything brown girls weren’t shown to be in media growing up. She’s hilarious, stylish, fun, and unapologetically herself. She breaks away from the stereotypes I grew up seeing of Indians on screen. Crystal doesn’t have to be the “brown character”—she just happens to be brown, and she’s so much more than that. That representation really spoke to me.
What was it like working with Lilly?
Ashley: A total dream. Ten years before filming, I went to her “Unicorn Island” tour and even had VIP tickets where I got a picture of her. We ended up recreating that photo on set! Getting to work with her, watch her creative process, and spend time with her was surreal. She’s definitely been a role model for me.
This film seems to align with your content. How did challenging stereotypes and tackling culturally taboo topics become your thing?
Ashley: It’s all about showing South Asians in a different light. I show my mom, who wears shorter skirts than me, and my dad, who’s the life of the dance floor. I love portraying Indians as fun, vibrant people who enjoy life. This film continues that narrative. I also feel strongly about pushing back against the wave of Indian hate that’s surfaced on social media. Through comedy and media, I want to show that Indians deserve respect and can’t be confined to outdated boxes.
What do you hope people take away from your content and films like Doin It?
Ashley: I hope it sparks conversations among friends, families, and communities. At the end of the day, we’re all human—we all have feelings, desires, and complexities. That shouldn’t be hidden. I want to encourage openness, honesty, and more direct dialogue.
What’s up next for you?
Ashley: Exploring short films and TV has been exciting, especially since my first project was a feature film. I’m looking forward to projects coming out soon and can’t wait to continue building my acting career and seeing where it takes me.
Check out Ashley on social media: Instagram and TikTok.