Will Ashley, once a housemate in Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition and now one of GMA’s rising stars, revealed the man behind his dream—Alden Richards.
In a heartfelt feature on Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, the young actor, also known as the “Nation’s Son,” shared how watching Alden on TV planted the idea of pursuing showbiz.
“Na-inspire po ako sa pinapanood kong teleserye sa GMA na nandoon si Kuya Alden. Siya po talaga ang idol ko noon pa,” Will recalled with emotion.
Motivated by this admiration, Will took the first step—joining acting workshops. He started with commercials before finally auditioning in 2013 for the Kapuso series Villa Quintana, where he landed the role of young Isagani. That breakthrough marked the beginning of a steady acting career.
From then on, he appeared in several notable projects including Mulawin vs Ravena, Contessa, Prima Donnas, The Fake Life, Mano Po Legacy: The Flower Sisters, Unbreak My Heart, and Prinsesa ng City Jail. Each role shaped him into the actor fans know today.
But behind Will’s journey lies a story of resilience. His father passed away when he was just six, leaving his mother to raise him alone. Determined to support her, Will embraced the responsibility of being their family’s breadwinner at a young age.
Being an only child, Will shared that his name carries a special meaning: “Will” comes from his late father Wilfredo, while “Ashley” was the name his dad had wished to give if he ever had a daughter.
His perseverance paid off when he became the Second Big Placer in Pinoy Big Brother, alongside his partner Ralph De Leon, further solidifying his presence in the entertainment scene.
Now, Will is set to shine brighter with upcoming films like Bar Boys: After School, Love You So Bad, and Poon. On top of that, he’s gearing up for a milestone—his very first solo concert on October 18 at the New Frontier Theater.
From a boy inspired by Alden Richards to an artist carving his own path, Will Ashley’s story is one of dreams, loss, love for family, and the courage to keep going.
