Hey! Can you please introduce yourself?
Hi. My name is Ashley Leggat and I play Casey on 'Life with Derek'. I live in a family with my parents, Roy and Patty and my four older brothers, Rob, Brett, Todd and Bram.
What got you into acting?
I started dance lessons in Baby Ballet when I was 2 yrs. old. and dancing has been a great passion of mine since that time. I studied and competed in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, lyrical, hip hop, musical theatre and acro. We have a professional theatre in Hamilton called Theatre Aquarius and when I was 7 I was determined to audition for a part in The Sound of Music and got the part of Marta. That was my first acting job and I was hooked. After that I did several more years in theatre and then branched out to television and movies when I was 12.
Who are your role models and why?
This is a tough one because I think we are influenced in varying degrees by lots of people but I would have to say that my Mother is a big role model in my life. She has taught me what it is to love unconditionally and she is just always there for all of us, all the time.
What are you passions/concerns for the world?
Well, I have a passion for children and animals. I try to do as much charity work as I can such as raising money for children's hospitals, making visits to children's wards and visiting and sponsoring animal shelters. I hope that the older I get that I will be able to be more influential in both areas.
Describe yourself in 3 words
To describe myself in three words, I would say loyal, fun, and adventurous.
You've met a lot of cool people through your line at work. Out of all of them, who are your top ones and why?
First of all I would say my co-star on Life with Derek, Michael Seater who plays Derek. We hit it off right from our first meeting and we truly are the very best of friends. We also spend a lot of time together travelling across Canada for the Family channel for the Anti-Bullying awareness campaign and at the moment we are going across Canada for Family Channels March Break Mall Tours. Not only do we spend a lot of time together on tours but on the set we are together usually for 14 hours a day so it certainly is good to work with someone you have loads of fun with and really like.
If you could do anything for one day, what would it be?
If I could do anything I want for one day I would lay on the beach in Mexico, with my family and friends. We would swim with the dolphins and have the best day ever.
Life with Derek Questions:
Ashley with Life with Derek
costar Michael Seater
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What has been the weirdest thing that you've ever had to do on set?
Some of the accidents that Casey had were a bit tough to do. I had to walk with crutches and then fall in the school hallway and knock down a garbage pail at the same time. We did the take about 20 times and I was black and blue the next day. Also, I had to fall backwards off a couch about 15 times and fall down a stair case at school. Even with the bruises the stunts were fun though.
Any embarrassing moments on set?
In season one I had my first onscreen kiss with my new boyfriend Sam. We were both really nervous about the whole thing and then I looked over and my mother was videotaping the kiss because she thought that since it was the first one that we should have it on tape so I guess that would be my most embarrassing moment on set to date.
Highlight?
There have been so many highlights. First of all we have the most amazing production team, crew and cast. We truly are like one big family. I would think it is unusual to be able to say that you go to work and honestly enjoy being with every single person on the set and that is more than 75 people.
Not only is the cast all very close but the directors are wonderful and we all work so well together.
Worst part?
As far as the worst part goes I would have to say it would be getting up every morning at 5:45 a.m. I love to sleep in so this is a big tough one for me. I go to work when it is dark and then when I leave the set about 8:00 p.m. it is dark again so I hardly ever see daylight during the week.
Also when I get home after a 14 hour day, I still have to memorize all the lines for the next day so it is usually midnight when I get to bed. But when all is said and done I love every single minute of it!!!
Are you anything like your character?
At first when I started playing Casey I didn't think we were alike at all but perhaps over 52 episodes, she is starting to rub off on me a bit. Casey is super organized and I'm not anything like that but I have noticed that I'm trying to be more organized. Casey is a perfectionist who gets really uptight and I'm not like that at all. She will do anything for her family and I would do anything for my family too.
My favorite:
Video game: Nintendo 64 racing, or Old school Mario.
Candy: anything chocolate
Food: anything with lots of ketchup on it--chicken, pasta, eggs, fries.
Movie/TV show: I like Desperate Housewives, anything with Johnny Depp.
Bands/singer: At the moment I like Justin Timberlake but it changes
regularly.
Role model: My mom. She's my best friend in the whole wide world.
Magazine/Book: I read most magazines and I love books which stimulate my mind like Blink.
Stores: I love Marciano, Guess, and Chanel.
Drinks: Coca Cola (no ice), and water
Thing to do in your spare time: I like to hang around with my family and friends, and play with my 3 cats and dog.
Sites: I go on my fan website as often as I can to keep in
touch with my fans: www.myspace.com/ashleyleggatonline
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Toughest thing you’ve ever had to do?
The toughest thing I have had to do was to go to work and shoot scenes all day after I had found out that my grandmother had passed away. We were really close and emotionally it was very draining.
What does it feel like to be a role model?
It has basically only been in the last six months that fans have been telling me that I am a role model for them. It is truly an honor and I hope I am always able to live up to it.
What’s the nicest thing a fan has ever said to you?
Fans tell me they love me and it is really sweet.
Tell me a random fact about you.
I am obsessed with ketchup. I will eat it on anything, anytime.
If you could be a super hero, who would you be?
Obviously Cat Woman.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done?
haha too many to mention.
How do you balance your normal life and your career?
It was harder when I was in school full time because I would have to go to school on the sets and even sometimes write my final exams in between shooting scenes. I'm fairly lucky because we live about 45 minutes outside of Toronto and so my private life has always been private. I have the same girlfriends that I've had for years and we are extremely close.
What are your hobbies?
I rarely have time for hobbies, but I do knit a bit, read when I have time, love to dance.
Tell me a secret!
If I told you it wouldn't be a secret!!! haha ;)
Do you have a myspace? If yes, what is it?
Yes, I have a fan my space. It is www.myspace.com/ashleyleggatonline. They can also write to me in care of my agency if they would like to have a signed picture.
The address is:
Ashley Leggat, c/o Fountainhead Talent,
131 Davenport Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1H8
