Pioneer grad Ashley Park is one of the stars of hit Netflix series ‘Emily in Paris’

Role showcases the singing and acting talents of 2009 PHS grad

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor

Has one of the stars of the Netflix show “Emily in Paris” looked a little familiar?

Turns out nanny/best friend/singer Mindy Chen is none other than Ashley Park, a 2009 Pioneer High School graduate and Tony Award-nominated Broadway star of “Mean Girls.”

“Ashley Park is a multi-talented actress who performed in many shows with Pioneer Theatre Guild as a student at Pioneer and then went on to study musical theatre at the University of Michigan,” said PTG Co-Program Director Jayme Kelmigian, who is also a theater teacher at Burns Park Elementary. “We are lucky to call her an AAPS alumni because she is a fabulous role model for our students.”

Park’s career blossomed after a cancer diagnosis at the age 15 and subsequent visit to a Broadway show by the Make a Wish Foundation.

Park hasn’t forgotten her ties to AAPS. In fact, just last spring, she met virtually with PTG students for a Q and A. She shared stories from her time in “The King and I” and “Mean Girls” on Broadway and gave advice for aspiring performers. Here is a screenshot of that gathering:

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