Ashe (singer)

☆ Save On Wikipedia ↗
Ashe
Ashe smiling brightly holding a microphone with a black background behind her
Ashe in 2025
Born
Ashlyn Rae Willson

1993 (age 32–33)
San Jose, California, U.S.
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Years active2015–present
WorksAshe discography
Spouse
John Canada
​
(m. 2025)​
Musical career
OriginNashville, Tennessee
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboard
Labels
Member ofThe Favors
Websiteashe-music.com

Ashlyn Rae "Ashe" Willson (born 1993) is an American singer-songwriter. She is known for her 2019 single "Moral of the Story", which was featured in the Netflix film To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2020) and was produced by Noah Conrad with additional production from Finneas O'Connell.

Ashe co-wrote American singer Demi Lovato's 2017 single "You Don't Do It for Me Anymore", and has toured with Louis the Child, Lauv, and Whethan. She was nominated for a Juno Award for her gold-certified single "Let You Get Away" with Shaun Frank. Her debut studio album, Ashlyn, was released on May 7, 2021, peaking at number 194 on the US Billboard 200. Rae and Willson, her second and third studio albums, were released in 2022 and 2024, respectively. However, both failed to chart in the US Billboard 200.

In 2025, Ashe and her longtime collaborator O'Connell created a band, named The Favors. They released their debut studio album, The Dream, in September. It peaked at the number of 174 on the US Billboard 200.

Life and career

1993–2014: Early life and family

Ashlyn Rae Willson was born in San Jose, California in 1993.[1][2][note 1] She spent her childhood and upbringing in the city,[5][6] and began attending piano and vocal lessons at the age of 8.[2] Ashe said that she grew up listening only to Christian radio and that she thanked her grandfather for introducing her to music from names like Bob Dylan, the Beatles and Jefferson Airplane.[7] She attended Berklee College of Music and graduated with a major in contemporary writing and production in 2015.[8]

2015–2017: Career beginnings

Ashe started out by singing demos in Nashville before catching the attention of Swedish producer Ben Phipps, who asked her to sing on his track "Sleep Alone" in 2015.[9] Over the next two years, Ashe specialized in appearing on a number of tracks from Louis the Child, Whethan and among others.[10] Her 2016 single, "Can't Hide" with Whethan, was her fifth number 2 on both the US and Global Spotify Viral 50 charts.[11] Ashe's 2017 single "Let You Get Away" with Canadian DJ Shaun Frank was nominated for Dance Recording of the Year at the 2017 Juno Awards, being certified gold in Canada in 2019.[12][13] Ashe assisted American singer Demi Lovato in composing her 2017 single "You Don't Do It for Me Anymore" from Lovato's sixth studio album, Tell Me You Love Me (2017).[14]

Between October 2017 and January 2018, Ashe embarked on tours with Louis the Child, Lauv, and Whethan.[10][15] After signing to Mom + Pop independent label,[16] she released her debut single "Used to It" in June 2017 and "Girl Who Cried Wolf" in November.[17][18] The former was her second single to reach number 1 on the Global Spotify Viral 50 chart.[11] Ashe was placed alongside Billie Eilish and Lewis Capaldi on Vevo's list of Artists to Watch in 2018.[19] Throughout April 2017, Ashe supported the Chainsmokers during their Memories Do Not Open Tour and performed onstage with Big Gigantic during Coachella Festival 2017.[20][21]

2018–2020: The Rabbit Hole & Moral of the Story EPs

Ashe playing the electronic piano in front of the microphone while wearing white, blue sweatpants and a small pair of red-rimmed sunglasses tucked into her head
Ashe performing in 2018

Ashe released her debut extended play (EP), The Rabbit Hole, in June 2018.[22] In February 2019, she supported American singer Quinn XCII on his From Michigan with Love World Tour, during which she released her single "Moral of the Story".[23] On April 5, Ashe released her second EP composed of four tracks, titled Moral of the Story: Chapter 1, which American producer Finneas O'Connell entirely produced.[24] He also produced three of the four tracks on her sequel EP, Moral of the Story: Chapter 2.[25]

In February 2020, "Moral of the Story" was used in the Netflix teen rom-com, To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2020), which caused the song to reach number 2 on both Global and US Spotify Viral 50 chart.[11] Ashe made her debut chart appearance on the US Billboard Hot 100 with the song, and the Billboard 200 with the EP Moral of the Story: Chapter 1.[26][27] She also released a duet of "Moral of the Story" in June 19, featuring Niall Horan.[28] They performed the song at The Late Late Show with James Corden on November 11.[29]

2021–2023: Ashlyn and Rae

In March 2021, Ashe and O'Connell released a song, titled "Till Forever Falls Apart".[30] Her debut studio album, Ashlyn, was released on May 7, which includes six overall singles—"Moral of the Story", "Save Myself", "Till Forever Falls Apart", "I'm Fine", "When I'm Older", and "Me Without You"—issued prior to the album.[31] Ashlyn debuted at number 194 on the US Billboard 200 dated May 22.[32] In May, she announced her first headlining tour, The Fault Line Tour, beginning at Vancouver, BC in April 2022 and concluding at Denver, CO in May 11.[33] The Nashville-based band, The Brook & The Bluff supported the tour.[34] On March 3, 2022, Ashe released a single "Another Man's Jeans" after releasing snippets of the song on social media.[35] She released the next single "Hope You're Not Happy" on May 6, featuring its Muriel Margaret-directed music video.[36] In June, Ashe performed her second headlining concert titled Is It Me or Is It Hot Summer Tour, at Bonnaroo.[37]

On June 22, Ashe announced her second studio album, Rae, the same day that she released the song "Angry Woman".[38] She released four more singles from the album: "Shower with My Clothes On" on July 29,[39] "Emotional" on August 26,[40][41] "Love Is Letting Go" on September 23,[42] and "OMW", along with its music video on October 12, 2022.[43][44] The album was released on October 14,[45] and it failed to chart on the US Billboard 200.[32] On November 4, she released a single with Stephen Sanchez, titled "Missing You".[46] Throughout 2023, she was scheduled to embark on her Fun While It Lasted Tour; however, it was canceled on February 1, since she did not feel "mentally healthy or resilient enough to go back on tour yet".[47]

2024–2025: Willson and the Favors

Ash in a red dress looking at the camera
Ashe in 2025

On June 21, 2024, Ashe gave her first live performance in over a year when she performed "Moral of the Story" with Irish singer Niall Horan during his Saratoga Springs show on his tour, The Show: Live on Tour.[48] On June 27, she announced her third studio album and first independent album, titled Willson. Its lead single, "Running Out of Time", was released a day after of the album's announcement.[49] The album was released on September 6 and failed to enter the US Billboard 200.[32] She also announced her first tour in three years, titled the Trilogy Tour, in support of her three studio albums.[50] In January and February 2025, she supported American singers Kelsea Ballerini and Gracie Abrams's tour, Live on Tour and The Secret of Us Tour, respectively.[51][52]

Ashe and Finneas O'Connell created a band, The Favors, and released their debut single "The Little Mess You Made" on June 7, 2025. Their debut studio album, The Dream, followed on September 19.[53] It peaked at numbers 174 and 42 on the US Billboard 200 and Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart, respectively.[54][55] The album also charted the top 50 in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Scotland.[56][57][58] The pair performed its accompanying tour, An Evening with the Favors, from September 18 at Hollywood Forever Cementery in Los Angeles, concluding on October 3 – 10 at Austic City Limits Music Festival in Austin.[59] That year, Ashe also joined Finneas's publishing company Doomsday, run by Universal Music Publishing Group.[60][61]

Artistry

Ashe stated that jazz music, American actress Diane Keaton, and American songwriter Carole King are major influences as well as inspirations to her own music; Ashe put an "e" on her stagename to pay homage to King.[62] Other artists that she admires are Stevie Nicks, John Mayer, and Olivia Rodrigo.[63][64]

Ashe is a pop,[65][66][67][68] indie folk,[69][5] indie pop,[70] and alternative pop singer[71][72][73] that incorporates indie and folk pop sounds.[74] According to the description of Ashe's debut album Ashlyn, its sounds balance between pop and alternative music.[75] Her second album Rae combines elements of electro-pop and indie folk;[76] she adopts those genres in its track "Shower with My Clothes On",[77] while the another track "Another Man's Jeans" features 1970s folk-pop and rock sounds.[78]

Personal life

Ashe was previously married and divorced.[79] She got engaged to musician John Canada in July 2024,[80] and they married in October 2025.[81] Her brother, Ryne, died of an overdose in 2020.[82] She had dedicated songs such as "Ryne's Song", which also includes a voicemail he left her, and "Love Is Letting Go" to him.[83][84]

Discography

Solo studio albums

With the Favors

Tours

Headlining

  • The Fault Line Tour (2022)
  • Is It Me or Is It Hot Summer Tour (2022)
  • Fun While It Lasted Tour (2022)
  • Trilogy Tour (2025)

With the Favors

  • An Evening with the Favors (2025)

Opening act

Awards and Nominations

Year Awards Nominated work Award Result Ref.
2026 Berlin Music Video Awards The Favors - "Little Mess" Best Song Pending [85]

Notes

  1. Nylon magazine published June 22, 2022, described Ashe as the "28-year-old Californian singer-songwriter",[3] while V published on July 11, 2022, noted her age as 29,[4] indicating that she was born in between June and July 1993.

References

  1. Willson, Ashlyn Rae. "ASCAP Ace Search". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Archived from the original on February 6, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  2. Engel, Lauren (November 28, 2017). Ashe Interview- Religion, Marriage, Ex-Boyfriends, Tinder, Pop Music Standards. Sidewalk Talk. Archived from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2020 – via YouTube.
  3. Wang, Steffanee (June 22, 2022). "Ashe Shares Her 2022 European Tour Diary". Nylon. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  4. John, Sarah (July 11, 2022). "Ashe Cuts Away the Past For New Era". V. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  5. Irshard, Zara (July 13, 2024). "Niall Horan bringing 'The Show' tour to Mountain View in support of his third solo album". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  6. Glicksman, Josh (March 17, 2020). "How Ashe's Divorce Therapy Song 'Moral of the Story' Became a Hit". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  7. Mar, Pete (April 2, 2018). B-Sides On-Air: Interview – Ashe Talks Beginnings, New Music. B-Sides. Archived from the original on May 22, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2026 – via YouTube.
  8. Petrelli, David. "Nashville Pros: Ashlyn Willson". Berklee College of Music. Archived from the original on December 11, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  9. Jiang, Ruth (September 19, 2017). "PopCrush Presents: Ashe on Writing For Demi Lovato and Being an 'Alt-Pop Girl'". PopCrush (Interview). Archived from the original on May 11, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  10. Kress, Bryan (November 10, 2017). "Vevo DSCVR Series Closes Out First Week with Ashe Performing New Single: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  11. Peaks on the US and Global Spotify Viral 50:
  12. "Dance Recording of the Year – Juno Awards: Drake, The Weeknd and Shawn Mendes Lead With Five Noms Each". The Hollywood Reporter. February 8, 2017. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  13. "Gold & Platinum: Ashe". Music Canada. May 23, 2019. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  14. London, Sara (May 5, 2021). "Album Review: Ashe Rehashes the Moral of the Story on Ashlyn". Riff Magazine. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  15. Payne, Chris (October 23, 2017). "Fast-Rising Pop Artist Lauv Announces 2018 Headlining Tour". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  16. "Ashe Joins the Mom + Pop Family". Mom+Pop. June 2, 2017. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  17. "Used to It - Single". Apple Music (US). June 2, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  18. "Girl Who Cried Wolf - Single". Apple Music (US). November 10, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  19. Kress, Bryan (November 15, 2017). "EarthGang Is Latest Vevo DSCVR Artist to Watch: Exclusive". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  20. Bein, Katie (May 31, 2017). "Shaun Frank Shares Photo Diary from Tour Supporting the Chainsmokers". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  21. Caminiti, Kasey (November 15, 2017). "Introducing Ashe: A Vevo Artist to Watch In 2018". DuJour. Archived from the original on July 9, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  22. "The Rabbit Hole - EP". Apple Music (US). June 22, 2018. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  23. Lambert, Eleanor (February 12, 2019). "You're Going to Want to Get to Know Ashe". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on February 27, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  24. Yung, Alyssa (April 8, 2019). "Ashe Moves on from a Toxic Relationship in Moral of the Story: Chapter 1 EP". Ones to Watch. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  25. Meredith, Karenna (February 12, 2020). "P.S. I Still Love You: I Can't Get the Dramatic 'Moral of the Story' Song Out of My Head". Popsugar. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  26. Billboard Charts [@billboardcharts] (March 2, 2020). "@ashemusic Earns Her First Career Entry on the #Hot100 This Week, As 'Moral of the Story' Debuts at No. 71" (Tweet). Retrieved February 3, 2020 – via Twitter.
  27. Billboard Charts [@billboardcharts] (March 2, 2020). "Debuts on This Week's #Billboard200 (2/2)" (Tweet). Retrieved May 9, 2026 – via Twitter.
  28. Close, Paris (June 19, 2020). "Ashe & Niall Horan Share Emotional Duet 'Moral Of The Story': Listen". iHeartRadio. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  29. Kaufman, Gil (November 12, 2020). "Naill Horan & Ashe Talks Virtual Meet-Cute, Perform 'Moral of the Story' on Late Late Show". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  30. Nattress, Katrina (March 4, 2021). "Finneas & Ashe Embrace the Complexity of Love in 'Till Forever Falls Apart'". iHeartRadio. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  31. Kenneallt, Cerys (May 5, 2021). "Ashe Releases New Cut 'Me Without You'". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  32. "Ashe Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  33. "Ashe Announces Dates for 'The Fault Line' Tour". Audacy. May 6, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  34. Storlie, Anne (May 12, 2022). "Ashe's The Fault Line Tour Makes Its Way to Chicago". Melodic Magazine. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  35. Murray, Robin (March 4, 2022). "Ashe Shares New Song 'Another Man's Jeans'". Clash. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  36. Kenneally, Cerys (May 9, 2022). "Ashe Releases New Single 'Hope You're Not Happy'". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  37. Beeck, Ellie (May 9, 2022). "V's New Music Round Up". V. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  38. Kenneally, Cerys (June 22, 2022). "Ashe Announces Second Album with New Single 'Angry Woman'". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  39. Kenneally, Cerys (July 29, 2022). "Ashe Delivers New Single 'Shower with My Clothes On'". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  40. Patton, Alli (August 26, 2022). "Ashe Oozes Confidence on 'Emotional' New Single and Video". American Songwriter. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  41. Kenneally, Cerys (August 26, 2022). "Ashe Shares New Cut 'Emotional'". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  42. "Ashe Releases New Single 'Love Is Letting Go' Featuring Diane Keaton". Dork. September 25, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  43. "Omw". Spotify. October 12, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  44. Ashe (October 12, 2022). Omw (Music video). Retrieved June 13, 2025 – via YouTube.
  45. "Rae - Album by Ashe". Apple Music (US). October 14, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  46. "Missing You". Apple Music (US). November 4, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  47. "Ashe Cancels All Tour Plans to Tend to 'Struggles and Wounds' with Mental Health". Audacy. February 2, 2023. Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  48. Shahen, Jim Jr. (June 22, 2024). "Concert Review: Niall Horan Brings Good Vibe, Energy to SPAC". Times Union. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  49. Gehlich, Clare (June 28, 2024). "Ashe Announces New Album Wilson Set for September Release". Melodic Magazine. Archived from the original on August 10, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  50. Denning, Reagan (October 29, 2024). "Ashe Is Making Her Comeback to the Stage with 'Trilogy Tour'". Melodic Magazine. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  51. Hammel, Frank (May 4, 2025). "Kelsea Ballerini 'Live on Tour'". Front of House. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  52. Griffiths, Neil (February 7, 2025). "Gracie Abrams Announces Support Act For Australian Tour". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  53. Madarang, Charisma (June 6, 2025). "Finneas, Ashe Reintroduce Themselves as the Favors With New Single". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  54. "Billboard 200: Week of October 4, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  55. "Top Rock & Alternative Albums: Week of October 4, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
  56. "Ultratop.be – The Favors – The Dream" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  57. "Dutchcharts.nl – The Favors – The Dream" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  58. "Official Scottish Albums Chart on 26/9/2025 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  59. Paul, Larisha (July 15, 2025). "Finneas and Ashe Announce 'An Evening with the Favors' Tour". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 16, 2025. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  60. Mosk, Mitch (March 12, 2026). "Living 'The Dream' with the Favors: Ashe on Forming a Band with Finneas and Rediscovering the Joy of Making Music". Atwood Magazine. Archived from the original on April 3, 2026. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  61. O'Connell, Finneas [@finneas]; (August 15, 2025). "Approx 2 Years Ago, ..." Retrieved May 11, 2026 – via Instagram.
  62. Montana, Adam (November 6, 2017). "A Chat with Singer Songwriter Ashe". UWM Post. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  63. "Ashe | Falling into the Depths of Her Alt-Pop Rabbit Hole". Flaunt. September 6, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  64. Shafer, Ellise (March 4, 2021). "Ashe on Enlisting Finneas for a Doomsday Duet and Why She Stans Olivia Rodrigo". Variety. Archived from the original on November 2, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  65. Havens, Lyndsey; Lynch, Joe; Lipshutz, Jason; Bowenbank, Starr (November 7, 2022). "10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through The Week: Stephen Sanchez and Ashe, Billy Porter, Girl Scout & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 31, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  66. Ross, Alex Robert (September 23, 2020). "Watch Ashe perform a dramatic 'Save Myself' from her roof". The Fader. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  67. Yglesias, Ana Monroy (July 22, 2021). "Herbal Tea & White Sofas: Ashe On Why Coffee Is Her Backstage Essential". Grammy Awards. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  68. Nazim, Hafeezah (April 25, 2018). "Musician Ashe Tells Us About Her Pre-Show Rituals". Nylon. Archived from the original on August 14, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  69. Hurt, Melonee; Wegner, Rachel (September 29, 2024). "Noah Kahan, Needtobreathe, Stephen Sanchez serenade another rainy day at Pilgrimage Fest". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  70. Lapierre, Megan (October 29, 2024). "Ashe Maps Out 2025 North American Tour". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on July 20, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  71. Mosk, Mitch (July 9, 2024). "Interview: Ashe Talks Independence, Empowerment, & Her Own Liberation". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  72. Donelson, Marcy (c. 2021). "Ashlyn — Ashe". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 28, 2025. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  73. Gassaro, Georgie (September 23, 2025). "'The Favors' creates an authentic and dreamy debut". The Ithacan. Archived from the original on November 4, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  74. Kaye, Ben (June 22, 2022). "Ashe Announces New Album Rae, Shares New Single 'Angry Woman': Stream". Consequence. Archived from the original on May 17, 2026. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  75. Wang, Steffanee (August 6, 2021). "Ashe Wants to Manifest a Friendship with Addison Raw". Nylon. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  76. Westrom, Piper (October 10, 2022). "Album Review: Ashe has a little fun branching out on Rae". Riff Magazine. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  77. Dam, Tatum Van (August 2, 2022). "Ashe Watches the World Unfold Around Her in 'Shower with My Clothes On'". Ones to Watch. Archived from the original on July 9, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  78. "Ashe on '70s Folk-Pop Rock, Her Love of Tarantino, and Her Next Album". Consequence. April 29, 2022. Archived from the original on May 22, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  79. "On the Rise: Ashe | Interview". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  80. Despres, Tricia (August 9, 2024). "At the Peak of Her Success, Ashe Disappeared. Now, She's Ready Discuss Why She Did It (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  81. Kliest, Nicole (November 17, 2025). "Singer-Songwriter Ashe Channeled Old Hollywood Glamour for Her Tennessee Wedding to John Clark Canada". Vogue. Archived from the original on November 22, 2025. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  82. Cubit, Brea (June 21, 2021). "Ashe". Euphoria. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  83. "Ashe Says Her Debut Powerful LP Ashlyn Is 'Completely Me' — 'It's an Album About My Life'". People. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  84. "Ashe Releases New Single 'Love Is Letting Go' Featuring Diane Keaton". Dork. September 25, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  85. "Berlin Music Video Awards". Berlin Music Video Awards. Archived from the original on October 18, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2026.