Ashley Spencer
@ashleyspencer.bsky.social
Culture journalist + author of DISNEY HIGH. Words in The New York Times, The Washington Post, L.A. Times, etc. https://linktr.ee/amspen
What happens when a teen heartthrob grows up? I interviewed Chad Michael Murray for The New York Times to find out. He opened up about being a “not-nice guy” in his 20s, fame and his experiences on projects like “Gilmore Girls,” “Freaky Friday” and “One Tree Hill.” www.nytimes.com/2025/08/08/m...
August 9, 2025 at 2:02 PM
What happens when a teen heartthrob grows up? I interviewed Chad Michael Murray for The New York Times to find out. He opened up about being a “not-nice guy” in his 20s, fame and his experiences on projects like “Gilmore Girls,” “Freaky Friday” and “One Tree Hill.” www.nytimes.com/2025/08/08/m...
A once-again relevant tidbit from my 2021 deep dive on The Rosie O’Donnell Show. www.vulture.com/article/the-...
July 14, 2025 at 4:09 PM
A once-again relevant tidbit from my 2021 deep dive on The Rosie O’Donnell Show. www.vulture.com/article/the-...
I profiled Kevin Williamson, looking at the semi-autobiographical projects that have punctuated his career, from “Dawson’s Creek” to “The Waterfront.” Ft. insights from James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Melissa Benoist, Topher Grace & more for the @latimes. www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
June 17, 2025 at 4:18 PM
I profiled Kevin Williamson, looking at the semi-autobiographical projects that have punctuated his career, from “Dawson’s Creek” to “The Waterfront.” Ft. insights from James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Melissa Benoist, Topher Grace & more for the @latimes. www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Did you know Stitch was originally green? And no, he wasn’t modeled after a koala or French bulldog, creator Chris Sanders told me. “The thing I was thinking was a bat.”
May 21, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Did you know Stitch was originally green? And no, he wasn’t modeled after a koala or French bulldog, creator Chris Sanders told me. “The thing I was thinking was a bat.”
Huge DISNEY HIGH ebook sale today at all ebook retailers for only $2.99! If you haven’t read my book yet, now’s your chance to do so for mere pennies 💕 us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
March 8, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Huge DISNEY HIGH ebook sale today at all ebook retailers for only $2.99! If you haven’t read my book yet, now’s your chance to do so for mere pennies 💕 us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
This actually sounds like a genius idea (and smart career move for Taylor Lautner). variety.com/2025/tv/news...
February 12, 2025 at 8:55 PM
This actually sounds like a genius idea (and smart career move for Taylor Lautner). variety.com/2025/tv/news...
I wrote a book about cable TV, child stardom, the business of being Disney, and an era when the High School Musical soundtrack outsold Beyoncé and The Beatles.
It’s called DISNEY HIGH and it makes an excellent holiday gift! The cover even sparkles for a dash of festive flair.
It’s called DISNEY HIGH and it makes an excellent holiday gift! The cover even sparkles for a dash of festive flair.
December 19, 2024 at 2:36 PM
I wrote a book about cable TV, child stardom, the business of being Disney, and an era when the High School Musical soundtrack outsold Beyoncé and The Beatles.
It’s called DISNEY HIGH and it makes an excellent holiday gift! The cover even sparkles for a dash of festive flair.
It’s called DISNEY HIGH and it makes an excellent holiday gift! The cover even sparkles for a dash of festive flair.
Still dreaming about living in the Miracle on 34th Street (1994) apartment and watching the parade through those giant bay windows.
November 28, 2024 at 5:14 PM
Still dreaming about living in the Miracle on 34th Street (1994) apartment and watching the parade through those giant bay windows.
Hot Frosty viewers: I interviewed Dustin Milligan for The New York Times, where he opened up about the challenges of playing the titular snowman and how Lacey Chabert supported him through the shoot. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2024/11/08/m...
November 13, 2024 at 11:00 PM
Hot Frosty viewers: I interviewed Dustin Milligan for The New York Times, where he opened up about the challenges of playing the titular snowman and how Lacey Chabert supported him through the shoot. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2024/11/08/m...
Hi! I’m a culture journalist whose work appears in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vanity Fair & more. My first book DISNEY HIGH: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel’s Tween Empire just came out from St. Martin’s Press & I’d love if you’d check it out! bit.ly/DisneyHigh
November 11, 2024 at 4:59 AM
Hi! I’m a culture journalist whose work appears in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vanity Fair & more. My first book DISNEY HIGH: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel’s Tween Empire just came out from St. Martin’s Press & I’d love if you’d check it out! bit.ly/DisneyHigh
If you need a distraction today: My feature on this year’s (relatively) spicy Christmas romances is in print in the Sunday NYT!
November 10, 2024 at 5:52 PM
If you need a distraction today: My feature on this year’s (relatively) spicy Christmas romances is in print in the Sunday NYT!
Need everyone to know that there is a Lifetime Christmas movie coming out about a fictional pop star and athlete (à la Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce), and this is an actual scene that happens: www.nytimes.com/2024/11/08/m...
November 8, 2024 at 8:27 PM
Need everyone to know that there is a Lifetime Christmas movie coming out about a fictional pop star and athlete (à la Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce), and this is an actual scene that happens: www.nytimes.com/2024/11/08/m...
Thrilled to announce my book DISNEY HIGH: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel's Tween Empire will be out from St. Martin’s Press on 9/24/24! And you can preorder your copy right now! bit.ly/DisneyHigh
February 12, 2024 at 4:38 PM
Thrilled to announce my book DISNEY HIGH: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel's Tween Empire will be out from St. Martin’s Press on 9/24/24! And you can preorder your copy right now! bit.ly/DisneyHigh