Erica Chantal Ash (born September 19, 1977) is an American actress,
comedian, singer and model. She was a cast member on the sketch comedy
programs MadTV and The Big Gay Sketch Show, and later starred in a
lead role on the Starz sitcom Survivor's Remorse.Ash was born in
Florida, to Donald and Diann Ash. Her parents were both in the
military, leading the family to relocate often, moving to Germany and
other parts of the world. She attended a performing-arts school in
Decatur, Georgia, during her youth. Ash planned on becoming a doctor,
graduating from Emory University with a degree in premedicine and
prepared to attend medical school. However, after a trip to Japan,
where she became a backup singer and a runway model, Ash decided to
pursue a career in entertainment.In February 2006, Ash landed multiple
job opportunities in Broadway shows like The Lion King and a two-week
job in Germany. After returning from Germany, she successfully
auditioned for the cable television comedy show The Big Gay Sketch
Show. Ash was a cast member for only two seasons. While she was a cast
member, Ash had to split her time between the first season of the
sketch show and The Lion King. Some of her characters included
LaTanya, an uncouth, loudmouthed fitness instructor who teaches
classes with a "Chicago-style" twist (i.e. Chicago-style yoga,
Chicago-style pilates).Ash joined the cast of MadTV in 2008 as a
feature performer, for the 14th season, along with Matt Braunger, Eric
Price, and Lauren Pritchard. She became the fifth African-American
female cast member in the show's history (Debra Wilson, Daniele
Gaither, Nicole Randall Johnson, and Daheli Hall were the first four).
Of the five female African-American cast members, Ash and Hall are the
only two who were never promoted to a repertory player. Ash remained a
featured member of the MADtv cast during the show’s 14th and final
season on FOX.
comedian, singer and model. She was a cast member on the sketch comedy
programs MadTV and The Big Gay Sketch Show, and later starred in a
lead role on the Starz sitcom Survivor's Remorse.Ash was born in
Florida, to Donald and Diann Ash. Her parents were both in the
military, leading the family to relocate often, moving to Germany and
other parts of the world. She attended a performing-arts school in
Decatur, Georgia, during her youth. Ash planned on becoming a doctor,
graduating from Emory University with a degree in premedicine and
prepared to attend medical school. However, after a trip to Japan,
where she became a backup singer and a runway model, Ash decided to
pursue a career in entertainment.In February 2006, Ash landed multiple
job opportunities in Broadway shows like The Lion King and a two-week
job in Germany. After returning from Germany, she successfully
auditioned for the cable television comedy show The Big Gay Sketch
Show. Ash was a cast member for only two seasons. While she was a cast
member, Ash had to split her time between the first season of the
sketch show and The Lion King. Some of her characters included
LaTanya, an uncouth, loudmouthed fitness instructor who teaches
classes with a "Chicago-style" twist (i.e. Chicago-style yoga,
Chicago-style pilates).Ash joined the cast of MadTV in 2008 as a
feature performer, for the 14th season, along with Matt Braunger, Eric
Price, and Lauren Pritchard. She became the fifth African-American
female cast member in the show's history (Debra Wilson, Daniele
Gaither, Nicole Randall Johnson, and Daheli Hall were the first four).
Of the five female African-American cast members, Ash and Hall are the
only two who were never promoted to a repertory player. Ash remained a
featured member of the MADtv cast during the show’s 14th and final
season on FOX.
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