News | Entertainment
7 Jul 2025 13:39
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Ashley James was "miserable" doing jobs she hated to make ends meet

    The presenter and DJ admits before she got to do what she is doing now, she really struggled to enjoy the jobs she was doing


    She wrote: "Don't let your age or fear be an excuse for stopping you from doing what you want in life. Let this year be a reset button for you and DREAM BIG ... I've had a few jobs since I graduated from uni in 2009 (and even more jobs pre-uni: my mum had me chambermaiding from about 13, and I've worked in retail, been a lifeguard, a waitress, a cleaner etc!). And they've all been GOOD jobs and opportunities. It's what kept me in each of them for at least a year, because I felt I should be grateful for having a good job. ... But I was miserable."

    And Ashley has urged others to not do what she did and take the leap to change their career and study and start again.

    She added: "I HATED my job. I saw adulting as doing a job you hated to make ends meet and do fun things on the weekend. But at 25 I decided to quit to pursue my dream of presenting. I had saved £2000, had zero industry contacts, and zero experience. So I got grafting. I moved in with a friend who charged me £400 a month rent, and did promo work (until I started being recognised during MIC) to scrape by each month. I didn't earn money for a few years and I missed out on all the holidays and experiences my friends were doing. But I had a dream and I needed it to make it happen. Now at 33 I get to say that I LOVE my job (even though it's a lot slower due to Covid). I get to DJ all over the world, I get paid to go on TV shows I love, and I'm forever evolving my interests: I'm studying to be an empowerment coach and have a few secret projects on the way. Even now, it's not too late to study and start again."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     07 Jul: Connie Francis has been hospitalised for "extreme pain" after suffering a pelvic fracture
     07 Jul: Katie Thurston admitted she has no idea "how much time I have left" amid her stage four cancer battle
     07 Jul: Michael Madsen has died
     07 Jul: Yungblud says pansexual is "the label that allows me to be who I am"
     07 Jul: Amal Clooney has praised her husband George Clooney for being "so supportive"
     07 Jul: Allison Williams was "devastated" after one of her Girls storylines got scrapped
     07 Jul: Ariana Madix is constantly seeking "inspo" for her Love Island USA looks
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The All Blacks are confident Rieko Ioane will find his footing with his return to the wing ahead of the second test against France in Wellington More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Nicola Willis is encouraging Kiwis to join the FamilyBoost scheme - with changes from this month to capture people who've been missing out More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Connie Francis has been hospitalised for "extreme pain" after suffering a pelvic fracture 13:36

    Rugby:
    The All Blacks are confident Rieko Ioane will find his footing with his return to the wing ahead of the second test against France in Wellington 13:27

    Accident and Emergency:
    A man who died hunting at Stewart Island - was reportedly shot 13:07

    Entertainment:
    Katie Thurston admitted she has no idea "how much time I have left" amid her stage four cancer battle 13:06

    Business:
    Nicola Willis is encouraging Kiwis to join the FamilyBoost scheme - with changes from this month to capture people who've been missing out 12:37

    Entertainment:
    Michael Madsen has died 12:36

    Golf:
    Golfer Daniel Hillier will feature at The Open Championship major next week at the Royal Portrush course in Northern Ireland, courtesy of his European Tour ranking 12:27

    Motoring:
    Shane van Gisbergen's secured another victory at a disrupted Nascar street race in Chicago, matching his feat on debut in 2023 12:07

    Entertainment:
    Yungblud says pansexual is "the label that allows me to be who I am" 12:06

    Politics:
    The Police Commissioner says urgent action must be taken to prevent staff accessing inappropriate or harmful content 11:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd