Ep 130: Simone Ashley

This is only the second time we have welcomed back a guest and of your favourite guests ever, it’s Simone Ashley. Who I am pleased to report is not only in her ‘strong queen era’ but her ‘f**k that era’ too!  The last time Simone joined us Bridgerton season two had just dropped and her role as Kate Sharma, the love match for Jonathan Bailey’s Anthony, was providing the long overdue south asian representation we needed on her screens. If you missed that episode go back right now and listen to episode 42 for a very inspirational chat about the power of determination.  Now Simone rejoins us as she takes on the rom-com genre in Prime Video’s new movie Picture This opposite Hero Fiennes Tiffin where she plays Pia whose family decide to play matchmaker with hilarious and heartwarming results.   In this episode Simone talks about BS social pressures to tick boxes by certain ages, feeling othered in rooms full of men and why we need to start throwing as many promotion parties as we do weddings and baby showers. It’s a big yes from me!  I have learnt so much from Simone about the power of self belief and I hope this episode shows you how much cutting out the external noise and working on your relationship with yourself can help YOU achieve your dreams. If you love this episode too as always please get in touch as I love talking to you. You can find me across socials @joshsmithhosts and I’ll see you next week for another episode of Reign! Josh x P.S I am so happy that today’s episode is brought to you with the support of Pandora. Both Pandora and Reign are all about celebrating love in all its forms - be that romantic love, love for our friends and family or the practice of self love. This episode, like every episode of Reign, hopes to give you a loving dose of positivity, and to serve as a reminder that love - whether we give it, receive it or feel it has the power to uplift and heal. That’s why we’re empowering you to BE LOVE through these conversations - get out there and feel love, embody love and pass it on because you never know how much it could change your life or someone else’s. Head to pandora.net to discover the latest jewellery collections and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Om Podcasten

Hi babes! I’m Josh Smith and welcome to Reign! I am a journalist and presenter, and in each episode of my podcast, you’ll hear me sit down with some favourite familiar faces to talk about the ways they have learnt to reign over their own lives.    I’m so lucky to have chatted to stars from the big and small screens, from sport to music and beyond, and in every conversation there’s one thing that is apparent: we will ALL have to deal with challenges at some point in our lives. The conversations we have on Reign show that we're all more similar than we are different, and what I love most is finding out how different people get through tough times, go on to turn negatives into positives, and share the lessons that we can all learn from! I also love a good giggle, and this podcast is full of them!    So thanks so much for being here, I am so happy to have you, and I hope you’re ready to feel uplifted, inspired, and you’re ready to make it Reign!    Love, Josh xx