Recently, the Los Angeles native, Ashley Williams, 24 who is known for her unique voice, gave a riveting performance of “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston on Season Three of the X Factor USA. She bought the judges, the audience and nationwide viewers to their feet with tears and cheers. Without say she continued for three rounds before being eliminated. Ashly whole heartedly left her heart and soul on the stage during her initial performance on the X Factor USA. Now, she needs your help to increase her chances of getting called back to the show and proceed in the competition. As it currently stands, Ashly filled the last empty chair in the Four Chair Challenge but was the first to be eliminated from her seat. With her magnanimous talent, we believe there is still room left for her in this competition and we empower you to use social media to encourage the producers and judges (Judges Simon Cowell, Kelly Rowland, Demi Lovato, Paulina Rubio and Host Mario Lopez) bring in Ashly as a Wild Card contestant.
This is what Ashly had to say to the LA Sentinel about her experience as a contestant on the X Factor USA, her perspective on the competition and her future.
Maleena Lawrence (Los Angeles Sentinel): What does it take to get you back on the X FACTOR?
Ashly Williams: I would say social media is definitely a power force in our society these days. Some girls were tweeting me with the hash tag AshlyWilliamsWildCard (i.e. #AshleyWilliamsWildCard). They have this thing where you can pull in a Wild Card. Melanie Amaro which was the first season winner on X Factor USA. She was a Wild Card. Melanie was eliminated early on in the competition and they brought her back to perform and she winded up winning the competition. I would say to cross the connections with social media sites if you are passionate about bringing me back and send constant tweets to the Judges, the show, friends and me is the best way to bring me back on The X Factor.
My social media site are: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshlyISOfficial | Instagram: AshlyIsOfficial
Facebook: /AshlyBWilliams | Show site: www.thexfactorusa.com/photos/tags/ashly-williams
Tweet the X Factor USA Judges:
@SimonCowell | @kellyrowland | @demilovatobr | @paurubio | @TheXFactorUSA
LAS: How does it feel to be in a favorable position to be even considered by the public as Wild Card contestant?
AW: Umm, since I haven’t been necessarily called to do anything for the live shows yet, it would be an honor to go back. Of course I didn’t think I would be cut this soon. I was setting my standards high for the entire competition. If I am able to be voted back, I will work harder to impress Simon and choose my song selections wisely. It will give me another opportunity show America that I am very capable of winning the competition and getting very far. It will be an amazing opportunity to be voted back on The X FACTOR USA.
LAS: You recently got eliminated off the show; can you share with us how you felt when leaving a stage that you once owned wholeheartedly?
AW: Actually, It was very strange for me because I always set myself up for thinking positive about certain outcomes. I felt very confident about where I stood and about America loving me. The feedback I got from my first audition from the judges was raving comments, the standing ovations and the love from the crowd was so warm and welcoming. I am not going to say I had it in the bag but I felt like I had confidence. It was something new when the Four Chair Challenge came about it was something new that that we all didn’t expect. I was a bit nervous that the challenge was going to happen because I had saw the stage set prior to us filming.
Then, right after I got eliminated I was told to leave the stage immediately so I couldn’t converse with the judges or say good-bye to the ladies on the stage. A lot of people said, “Why did you have such an attitude”? I didn’t have any ill feelings. It was just me being very hurt about the outcome and trying to follow directions. I definitely wanted to pass through the live auditions. Unfortunately, that did not happen. It was confusing and shocking but I have made it this far and I am just grateful for the opportunity.
LAS: And we are proud of you as well. For those who want to support you but have not been following you on The X Factor USA, Why should they rally for your return on their social media platforms?
AW: I believe that I was a very inspiring contestant. Not to say the others weren’t. I feel like my story is a testament. I grew up in the church and I am very passionate about God blessing me. I use my story as a way to inspire people. It wasn’t the first thing I wanted America to know about me but it is what I been through and experienced. (Ashley’s mother was murdered when she was 14 years old) Not only am I an inspiration for people who lost parents or family members to violence and feel like they lost hope to a dark side. I care. I have passion in the fact that I sing. I am a graduate from UC Berkeley. I have worked the PR circuit and worked for corporate America but I feel like my passion is music. So many people pigeon hold themselves. I do what I want to do and encourage people to follow their dreams.
LAS: With or without a callback, since you are you own trailblazer and you do what you want to do, How will you continue to live your life and lead your life after your appearance on The X Factor USA?
AW: I think now that I have the tools that I need to go forth in my life with my career, if that means connecting with people around the world that have reached out to me during several performances, putting out stuff on the internet, constantly connecting with my fans on Twitter, Facebook and Integra I am more equipped. I now know how it feels to be out there in the public limelight and how I affect people. I have always been very connected to music and this is only one way to push me forward. I am going to keep pushing out music and performing only now to a higher degree.
Also, my sister and I started a non-profit five years ago called The Keep It Together Foundation. We are having an event on October 26, 2013 providing scholarships for survivors who lost family members to violence. If anyone wants to apply or donate support they can go to: http://www.kit-keepittogether.com for details and Facebook.com/stillasurvivor information.
I am excited and thankful to you and the Los Angeles Sentinel and the LA Watts Times for your support and this interview. http://www.kit-keepittogether.com/
LAS: Thank you. Your welcome and we got your back Ashly.
