If anyone can play a character who refuses to stay put, it’s Ashley Park. For five seasons, she Emily in Paris A transformative sensation, Mindy Chen has survived family stress, career failure, and heartbreak—only to bounce back each time with her signature blend of honesty, humor, and zero tolerance for self-indulgence. And while The Netflix series is set to end after season sixThe park itself is nowhere near the work. And this tenacity comes from his own life.
The actress was 15 years old when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. an aggressive form of blood cancer. He spent a long time in hospital, which meant he missed key high school milestones. But one of the hardest things, he said, was other people’s reactions.
"I was a source of such grief to everyone I cared about in my life." she says now "and it was probably one of the most difficult things at that time."
But he got over it. And one moment made it impossible to deny: the day a member of her oncology team showed up to watch her perform at a high school play. Her appearance in front of the audience was one of the first times she realized that there is life after cancer.
"It was an interesting moment for both of us." he says.
That memory is part of the reason Park recently collaborated with Bristol Myers Squibb Campaign to turn back timewhich invites cancer survivors and their loved ones to send messages of gratitude to the oncologists who cared for them. Here he talks about advertising. Emilyand how she turns back time in her life.
About what oncologists actually carry
"An oncologist can deliver bad news more than 20,000 times in a career. I can’t even bear to break bad news to anyone. I think that the compassion of oncologists can really make a difference to the cancer experience, not only for the patient, but also for their loved ones and caregivers."
About what people do wrong when supporting someone who is sick
"Each person, each situation is very unique. Being compatible with someone is everything. For me, what helped the most was that people weren’t just sitting in the devastation of it. I remember one oncologist who wore a different tie every day because he knew I liked it. Being able to share a laugh was a great thing. Because you’ve been sitting around for months, if not years, pretending to be everyone’s source of conflict."
About refusing to allow cancer to define him
"I felt that I would not “win the battle with cancer” if it affected the person I was. As soon as I feel ignored, I dig. I was really trying to move forward with gratitude and try to make things better and live in the moment. And I think that’s really defined how I’ve lived my life, not in the devastation of losing a part of my youth.”
About what actually seems to turn his time back
"This is my whole life. I can’t even describe a single moment. That’s all. I think I have a sense of gratitude for every moment and every person who helped. Everything I am today is because the oncologist helped me."
About how Mindy has (and hasn’t) changed her.
"Seven years have passed. (Before getting the role), I never had any real time in Europe, I didn’t have access to the fashion world. But more than that, Mindy and the world Emily in Paris they opened relationships for me all over the world.
I love that Mindy is honest but never judgmental. And he is very clear on certain boundaries. That’s something I’ve really tried to implement in my own life.”
About friendship
"As adults, the friendships that really support us are the ones where you don’t need anything from each other, but are exactly what you need. Ride or Die is not the only one who leaves everything. It’s a person who is their own person and is completely independent, but you know they’re going to take the call. And you know you can turn to them for advice because you respect how they see the world and you know they have your best intentions."
In her health routine
"Drinking water and sleep are actually the best things for you. I also realized how much I fill up with alone time – I’ve never done that to myself. There are only 365 days in a year, only 24 hours in a day. I need to be recharged to give 100% to the people I’m with."
Rapid fire
A few quick questions. No need to overthink.
Favorite Convenience Store Food: "Bitter gourd. Those that you can use leather straps, ideally a little old. I always have a bag in my purse."
Comfortable viewing: "Saved. I watched all 50 seasons in three months last year. And Great chef – something about food and travel, I’m in."
Always in my bag: "My emotional support Stanley. I never used to drink water and now I always have it with me. It was a game changer."
Order of coffee: "I’m not really a coffee person. I like chai latte or iced tea. But what if it’s gingerbread latte season? I totally understand that."
