Book Ashley Rickards

Ashley Rickards is an American actress best known for starring as Jenna Hamilton, the witty and self-aware lead of MTV's comedy-drama Awkward, a series that connected strongly with a generation of young viewers. Earlier, she drew attention as Samantha "Sam" Walker, a struggling teen, on The CW's long-running drama One Tree Hill. In film, she earned praise for the 2011 independent drama Fly Away, playing Mandy, a young woman with autism, a demanding role that showed her dramatic range, and she later appeared in the thriller Smiley Face Killers (2020). Beyond acting, Rickards is an author: in March 2015 she published A Real Guide to Really Getting It Together Once and For All (Really), a candid, humorous book of advice for young readers. She has also appeared in music videos, including The Fray's "How to Save a Life," and in 2011 she helped launch Project Futures, an anti-trafficking initiative. With a fan base built on relatable, funny storytelling and a voice that speaks directly to millennial audiences, she is an approachable, upbeat presence for appearances, conversations and fan gatherings.