- Born
- Birth nameAshley Denice Merritt
- Nickname
- Billie Badass
- Height1.63 m
- Merritt was born in Dallas, Texas and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Her career in film, dance and music spans over 20 years, though her professional acting career began at age ten working regionally in TV and Film.
Known for roles that showcase and support the amplification of Native, Indigenous and Black narratives and voices, Merritt's work ranges from Sundance Film Festival favorites, popular award-winning independent features centered on the African diaspora, to network TV in various indigenous roles.
She is most recognized for her leading role on the sequel to pop gymnastics film on Netflix titled "Full Out 2: You Got This", as AJ Jackson - a 2x National Champion and member of the 2016 Oklahoma University gymnastics team. "The Glorias", directed by Julie Taymor, is another title in which Merritt has a notable role - performing a dramatic monologue and sharing a scene with Alicia Vikander in the 2020 Gloria Steinem biopic.
Merritt played the romantic interest opposite Abraham Attah in the 2020 ABFF official selection "Tazmanian Devil". She acts as the supportive sorority sister. Her vocal and musical talents are showcased as the church choir singing, line-dancing, sensual "it girl".
Merritt can be seen in FOX's "Deputy" as misguided teen "Tina". She co-starred on season 1 of AMC's "The Son" and season 3 of USA's "Queen of the South"- performing exclusively in the Comanche language in "The Son".
Her hobbies and specialties lie in multi-style dance, music (playing the violin and singing), training in Krav Maga and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, fishing, hiking, figure-skating, studying languages and psychology, playing tennis, surfing and always being ready to learn, or experience a new adventure in life.- IMDb mini biography by: .
- She shares her high school alma mater - Putnam City North High School in Oklahoma City - with James Marsden, Olivia Munn, and Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford.
- Initially went to Oklahoma University on scholarship to study Petroleum Geology to capitalize on her interest in earth history and science. She eventually switched to Public Relations and enjoyed an internship with the firm Sharp and Associates in West Hollywood.
- Her dad nicknamed her "Tadpole" because she loved any sort of activity involving water when she was younger and taught herself how to swim in the bathtub when she was three.
- She used to write scary short stories and started drafting her first thriller when she was around ten years of age. It was about a creepy doll that came to life and terrorized people.
- Self- proclaimed "health foodie". She's been gluten free since 2009 after struggling with lifelong digestive issues and has lived her healthiest years since. She thrives by eating clean, exercising and trying new foods and holistic paths to living her best life.
- Finding a way that I can help crush the social stigma and taboos of mental health in my community is very important to me.
- My definition of happiness is being comfortable in one's own skin. Everything else seems to follow suit once you conquer that voice in your head constantly reminding you of your downfalls.
- I've never known a stronger image of sacrifice and loyalty than my mother.
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