Ashley James Discusses Personal Journey with Sexuality in New Podcast Appearance
Television personality Ashley James has publicly revealed her past struggles with understanding her sexuality during a recent podcast interview. The 38-year-old star spoke openly about beginning to question her sexual preferences as early as age 14 and exploring relationships with women during her time on the reality series Made In Chelsea between 2012 and 2013.
Early Confusion and Social Pressures
Appearing on the By The Way podcast with presenter Harriet Rose, Ashley described how she would kiss girls during nights out but felt increasingly confused when those encounters were dismissed as merely embarrassing drunken moments. "I remember we'd all be going out in Newcastle, very underage but such is life, and I'd kiss a girl in the club," Ashley recalled. "Then the next day it would be like, 'oh, my god, that was so embarrassing' and I was like, 'yeah, so embarrassing,' but in my head I was like, 'that wasn't embarrassing for me.'"
The This Morning star explained that this pattern of rejection left her feeling deeply confused and struggling to establish her identity during her formative years. She noted that male attention often complicated these interactions, with female partners frequently attributing their behavior to seeking validation from men rather than genuine attraction.
Digital Exploration and Reality Television Experiences
Ashley revealed that she first began exploring her sexuality digitally during what she calls "the Bebo days," referring to the early social media platform. "On Bebo, I set my preference to girls," she shared. "I remember I chatted to a girl all the time...so I think that was almost like a bit of a safe space for me." This online exploration provided her with a private avenue to understand her feelings without immediate social judgment.
When questioned by Harriet Rose about whether she dated women during her Made In Chelsea tenure, Ashley confirmed there were relationships that developed. "There was this thing and it kind of did get out," she acknowledged. "It was always around and I think if any of the relationships had naturally gone further, I would have just been out [as liking girls]." This revelation highlights the complex navigation of sexuality within the public eye of reality television.
Current Relationship and Parenting Philosophy
Despite her past explorations, Ashley is now in a long-term heterosexual relationship with partner Tommy Andrews, whom she met on the dating app Hinge during the pandemic. The couple have welcomed two children together: five-year-old son Alfie and three-year-old daughter Ada.
Ashley emphasized that her current relationship status doesn't diminish her connection to the LGBTQ community. "Even now I'm very much in a heterosexual relationship so it's like, not that I can or not that I belong, but I always celebrate queerness and maybe that's why I'm especially such a big ally," she explained.
Her personal journey has significantly influenced her approach to parenting. "I feel really strongly with my kids that I never assume," Ashley stated regarding gender and sexuality expectations. "You know when people are like, 'is that his girlfriend?' or 'when she's got a boyfriend,' and I'm like, 'hmm, let's not do that,' because we actually don't know." This conscious parenting style reflects her commitment to creating an open environment where her children can explore identity without predetermined assumptions.
The candid conversation on the By The Way podcast represents one of Ashley James's most personal public disclosures about her sexuality journey, offering insight into the challenges of self-discovery amidst social pressures and public scrutiny.
