Ashley Banks

"*I mean, I'm attracted to girls, but I haven't totally ruled out boys. Which is why I'm afraid to tell Mom and Dad, because I haven't got it figured out. And I don't want them to think that I'm just in some phase, you know?*"
—Ashley to Hilary[src]
**Ashley Banks** is a main character on Peacock's modern-day reinterpretation, *Bel-Air*. She is portrayed by Akira Akbar.

Ashley is the youngest of the Banks siblings, who has recently begun to show an interest in girls.

## Biography

### Will's arrival

12-year-old Ashley embraces Will with a hug as he arrives in Bel-Air, informing him that she's no longer a baby and then taking him over to the food table, where he's welcome to order off-menu whilst she goes searching for Hilary, and the two of them meet with Carlton in the game room, where they discuss the upcoming photo op and if Will will be joining them. Hilary and Ashley want to bring him on stage and make him suffer through the full Banks family experience, whereas Carlton wants to ease him in.

Ashley and Hilary share a laugh at Carlton's expense after he suffers a black eye following his fight with Will. She later agrees with Hilary's decision to turn down the Haute Cuisine's offer after they were essentially asking for her soul.

### Crushing on Lucia

Ashley texts her friends while getting her hair braided by her mom. Ashley wishes she could just wear a hat, but there's going to be a lot of eyes and press, meaning they need to be perfect. For their father's campaign, Ashley and Hilary are tasked with going to local business owners and asking to put his signs and stickers in their window, but Ashley sneaks off to go and meet with some of her gaming friends. However, Geoffrey arrives not long after to take her to her dad's fundraiser, but before doing so, he agrees to keep this between them, so long as she agrees to stop sneaking around. However, Ashley doubts her parents would ever allow her to go to South LA to see her gaming friends she met online. He also warns Ashley to be mindful, as there are bad people who would love nothing more than to use her to extort money from her family. Hoping to cheer her up, Geoffrey also invites Ashley's friends to the fundraiser.

While at dinner with Hilary's new social media influencers, Ashley asks Monica about the future of sexuality and if making distinctions regarding sex is even worth it. Only if those distinctions serve you, Monica replies. Some people feel that sexuality defines them as a person, while others don't. But both camps are correct, she adds. The next day, Ashley confides in Hilary that she has a crush on her friend Lucia. However, Ashley isn't quick to label herself as gay, as she hasn't ruled out boys, which is also why she hasn't told their parents, because she doesn't have it all figured out yet and doesn't want them to think it's a phase. Hilary reminds Ashley that she's only 12 and that she doesn't have to have it all figured out or tell anyone if she doesn't want to.

Ashley assists Hilary with catering for the fundraiser, but Ashley can't help but notice how on edge their mother is. Hilary explains that losing Gayle was like losing another sister. Gayle became a sister to their mom when she and Aunt Vy stopped talking, which Hilary suspects has something to do with Will, but before they can get to speculating too deep, their father interrupts to reveal that the "Times" pulled their endorsement of him.

Ashley has invited her friends over and introduces them to Hilary. Now that Lucia's here, Ashley doesn't know what to do next. Hilary advises her to tell Lucia how she feels. However, she never gets the chance, as Lucia first reveals that she has a crush on Will. Ashley is sitting alone on the steps when Hilary finds her. Ashley came up with an excuse for her friends to leave, as she couldn't hold it together any longer. Hilary tells Ashley that heart break is a part of life and asks if she's ready to share her secret with anyone else, but Ashley isn't sure. Hilary asks Ashley if she wants her to stay, but Ashley refuses. Their parents are already convinced that Hilary is moving back, but Ashley told them it's not going to happen because Hilary is following her dream and won't give up no matter how difficult it gets.

### Advocating for the LGBTQ+ community

Ashley approaches Reverend Lamonte and expresses her belief that the church needs to put more people who are LGBTQ+ in higher positions beyond the choir director, which he agrees to look into. When they return home, Ashley asks her mom about Carlton, who choked while performing on stage. She insists that Carlton is fine, and then asks if there is a specific reason why Ashley's shifted to championing LGBTQ+ causes. Ashley explains that she hasn't abandoned climate change and that she's simply advocating on multiple fronts. She believes that the human rights of every social group should be at the top of everyone's concern. Despite Ashley insisting that there's no secondary reason behind her recent shift, her mother reminds her that she can always talk to her about anything.

Ashley attends her mom's gala, where she suspects that Carlton is jealous of their mom's painting of Will. Ashley believes that the crown means Carlton should've perhaps watched the throne a bit closer. The following day, she, Carlton and Will discuss Geoffrey's absence after Ashley checked his room and discovered all his stuff was gone. This leads Will to suspect that Uncle Phil fired Geoffrey after he found out information about Will's dad, which results in Will's dad coming to Bel-Air and Will learning the truth. Feeling as though he can no longer trust them, Will leaves.

### 13th birthday

Ashley goes to school, where Mrs. Hughes Ashley a book to read about the role black women played in the Panther Party. All Ashley wants for her birthday is for people to donate to a charity of her choosing and for Will to come home, as it's been two weeks since he left. Despite wanting very little, her parents throw her a big party on a ferry, where to her surprise, Will attends and gifts her a journal for her poetry, and Hilary invites Saweetie to sing her a song.

### Mrs. Hughes' firing

Mrs. Hughes gives Ashley another book to read: *I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness*. Later that evening, Ashley discovers that Mrs. Hughes has been fired and shares this with her family. One of Ashley classmates told their parents that they saw Mrs. Hughes giving books that weren't a part of the approved curriculum.

Ashley blames herself for Mrs. Hughes firing, though her family insists it wasn't her fault and that justice will prevail, though Ashley isn't so certain in spite of all of Will and Carlton's efforts to stage a walk-out. Nevertheless, she watches from her classroom as Will hangs the large "Black Teachers Matter" banner from the roof of the school.

Will finds Ashley throwing away everything she believes in after losing her faith following Mrs. Hughes firing and Will's suspension. She also blames herself for him being pulled from the team, but Will insists it's not her fault. Still, she can't help but wonder what's the point of trying to change things if it only makes matters worse. However, Will refuses to allow Ashley to give up, as she's the one in the house to give them hope. In fact, he encourages her to take an emotional lap and get her head back in the game because they need her. He then gifts Ashley several new black empowerment posters.

Ashley discovers that Ms. Hughes won't be returning to Bel-Air Academy after she took a job near Chicago to be closer with her family. In her goodbye letter, Ms. Hughes thanks Ashley for using her voice to be seen and instructs her to never lose her special spark. Later that week, Ashley attends her mother's gallery show, where she learns the origin of Phyllis Wheatley, the first published female black poet.

### Family reunion

For the family reunion, Ashley is tasked with looking after older relatives, such as dietary restrictions. So she approaches Uncle Earl upon his arrival, though he doesn't seem too keen on speaking to Ashley. Nevertheless, Ashley continues to try and break through to Uncle Earl, bringing him something to eat, which helps win him over. He then approaches Ashley about dessert and tells her that he'll talk plenty once she brings him some cookies. From him, Ashley learns that he fought in WWII and flew missions all over Europe. Ashley's recalls reading about men like him and how he helped integrate the military.

Ashley is paired with Olivia in creating a functional robot, capable of completing three tasks. Ashley wants to make a robot that can sort recyclables, but Olivia has other ideas in mind. To begin, they see what parts they have. Olivia asks if Ashley has spoken to Mrs. Hughes, as she was also Olivia's favorite teacher. Assuming that's true, Ashley questions why she turned Mrs. Hughes in and got her fired, but Olivia insists that she did no such thing. While she was jealous given that she used to be Mrs. Hughes favorite, she didn't get her fired. Ashley apologizes for jumping to conclusions.

As they prepare for the Founder's Award, Ashley remarks that she's lucky to have two big brothers to look up to, especially after the protests with Mrs. Hughes. She'll never forget how Will encouraged her to keep going when she wanted to give up, and then she thanks Carlton for showing her how to be unapologetically herself. She had the courage to be herself because of him and embraces them both. Unfortunately, later that night, she comes across Carlton snorting coke in his locker, which he claims to be Xanax, but she knows better and confronts Carlton. He asks her to let it go, but when she refuses, he grabs her arms and raises his voice, telling Ashley not to say anything to anyone. After Carlton wins the award, he confesses his addiction and apologizes to Ashley, who does not accept his apology.

## Appearances

* Keep Ya Head Up
* Yamacraw
* Canvass
* PA to LA
* The Strength to Smile
* Payback's A B\*tch (credit only)
* No One Wins When the Family Feuds
* Can't Knock the Hustle
* Where To?
* Speaking Truth
* Compromised
* Don't Kill My Vibe
* Excellence Is Everywhere
* Let the Best Man Win
* Under Pressure (credit only)
* Pursuit of Happiness
* Just Like Old Times
* Don't Look Back

## References

1. ↑ Season 1, Episode 1: ***Dreams and Nightmares***
2. ↑ Season 1, Episode 2: ***Keep Ya Head Up***
3. ↑ Season 1, Episode 4: ***Canvass***
4. ↑ Season 1, Episode 5: ***PA to LA***
5. ↑ Season 1, Episode 6: ***The Strength to Smile***
6. ↑ Season 1, Episode 9: ***Can't Knock the Hustle***
7. ↑ Season 1, Episode 10: ***Where To?***
8. ↑ Season 2, Episode 1: ***A Fresh Start***
9. ↑ Season 2, Episode 2: ***Speaking Truth***
10. ↑ Season 2, Episode 3: ***Compromised***
11. ↑ Season 2, Episode 4: ***Don't Kill My Vibe***
12. ↑ Season 2, Episode 5: ***Excellence Is Everywhere***
13. ↑ Season 2, Episode 6: ***Let the Best Man Win***
14. ↑ Season 2, Episode 8: ***Pursuit of Happiness***
15. ↑ Season 2, Episode 8: ***Don't Look Back***