interview by JANA LETONJA

With charm, depth, and a growing list of standout roles, Ashby Gentry is quickly becoming one to watch. He’s set to return as Alex Walter in the highly anticipated second season of Netflix’s hit series ‘My Life with the Walter Boys’, premiering on August 28th. The show, which skyrocketed to global success with its heartfelt drama and TikTok-fueled fandom, marks a major moment in Gentry’s rising career. Earlier this year, he showcased his versatility in the indie film ‘Mooch’, further proving he’s not afraid to explore bold new territory on screen.

shirt MERZ B SCHWANEN
coat KYLE’LYK

On this season of ‘My Life with the Walter Boys’, Alex goes through a major transformation, physically and emotionally. What was it like stepping into a more confident version of him?

I really enjoyed being able to unapologetically embrace my confidence. Alex is really having his moment in the second season, and I was very aware of that while we were shooting. I made a point to thoroughly enjoy that moment while I had it knowing it was, like all moments, inherently fleeting.

Season 1 showed Alex as the reliable, bookish brother. How did you prepare for the shift in his personality in Season 2?

I think this season’s version of Alex sits more comfortably in line with where I reside naturally as a person. So, for me, a lot of the process was a delayering of what I had built in Season One. A lot of the conversation this year is centered around the transformation, but I think people would be surprised to find out that the bigger transformation for me as an actor occurred prior to shooting the first season.

Without giving too much away, how do Alex’s feelings for Jackie evolve after last season’s fallout?

They evolve naturally and yet manifest in a form that’s slightly surprising.

Did you relate to Alex’s journey of self-growth in any personal way?

I think Alex is very much going through a phase in the second season, and it’s safe to say that I’ve gone through a similar phase at various points in my life. In a lot of ways, he’s coping via indulgence and sensation, which is a natural story to tell for a lot of young men in contemporary society. I see a lot of myself in him this year for better or for worse.

My Life with the Walter Boys’ hit No. 1 globally on Netflix and has stayed a hot topic on TikTok. How has that kind of reception impacted you personally and professionally?

Both personally and professionally, it’s been pretty mind-blowing. I constantly find myself in situations and meeting people I never imagined I would. In a lot of ways, it’s made the world seem a lot smaller, both literally and metaphorically. Calgary, in particular, feels like a second home to me at this point.

full looks HENRIK VIBSKOV

With over 240 million TikTok posts mentioning the show, do you ever find yourself scrolling through fan edits or reactions?

I’m very fascinated by the fan edits. I think some of them are quite creative and demonstrate some pretty sincere talent. I could never make one of those. It’s easy to trivialize those things, but I really believe in the beauty of the otherwise trivial.

Outside of ‘My Life with the Walter Boys’, what kind of roles or genres you’re hoping to dive into soon?

I think of finding my next project like finding my next friend. I don’t know what it will be until I meet it. I really just like to work on good material with good people. However, I feel like I’ve been itching to do something more comedic. I think that’s a muscle I really love to flex and the opportunity of doing so excites me.

left:
shirt, tie and coat PAUL SMITH
shorts KYLE’LYK
shoes MARTINE ROSE
rings AGMES

right:
jersey CORRADINI

As your career grows, how do you stay grounded or connected to your roots outside of Hollywood?

I try to remain a student as much as possible. I still have so much to learn, not just about acting and filmmaking, but about life. I love to learn. I try to maintain a healthy diet nutritionally, spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and especially artistically. I really believe in the importance of curating my environment. Ultimately, the stories I’m interested in are those that represent ordinary, working class, people. I owe allegiance to them, and so I make a point to stay in touch with that zeitgeist. I think what helps me stay grounded is a refusal to believe in ladders.

What’s something surprising fans might not know about you?

I think fans would be surprised by my personal taste. I had a good friend say to me the other day, “Your typecast is so far removed from your actual personality”. Sometimes this happens when I meet fans. They’re often surprised at how willing I am to hold a conversation with them. I’ve had people tell me I talk to the fans too much, but I make a point to connect with people in a horizontal relation, partially because of what I said before, and partially because I just really love talking to people.

full look ISABEL MARANT
jewellery AGMES

TEAM CREDITS:

talent ASHBY GENTRY
photography WILLIAM FERCHICHI AT IMAJ ARTISTS
styling SUTHEE JONASSON
grooming LAURA COSTA at Exclusive Artists using Milk Makeup
photography assistant SIBILA GALANIS
styling assistant TIANYUN LAN
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director and interview JANA LETONJA

IN CONVERSATION WITH ASHBY GENTRY

IN CONVERSATION WITH JAVIER MORGADE