Exploring Ash's Style: A Trans Man's Journey in PLL: Summer School

PLL: Summer School's Jordan Gonzalez Explains How Ash's Evolving Style Depicts His Trans Experience

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Jordan Gonzalez and the creative team of Pretty Little Liars: Summer School put in a lot of effort to portray Ash's journey as a transgender man, with his wardrobe playing a significant role.

In an exclusive interview with We, Gonzalez shared his experience of reprising his beloved character after the show underwent a rebranding from Original Sin to Summer School.

Gonzalez shared that he likes to start by creating a playlist for Ash to get into character. He mentioned that the playlist has changed a lot from season 1 to 2.

He also paid attention to how Ash's character evolved throughout the show. Gonzalez mentioned a conversation with Charlotte Svenson, the head of the costume department, about Ash's style in season 1. He described Ash as stoic, often dressed in all black and wearing boots, giving off a James Dean vibe.

Gonzalez highlighted the changes Ash has gone through — and how that was displayed through the wardrobe.

PLL: Summer School's Jordan Gonzalez Explains How Ash's Evolving Style Depicts His Trans Experience

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In season 1, Max shared how his journey in the summertime reflected his growth as a young person and as someone who is transgender. He mentioned that this transformation allowed him to break free from the constraints of traditional clothing and embrace more vibrant colors. As Ash continued to evolve, he became more comfortable with being less strict and rigid in his choices.

Gonzalez explained that as the character plays with color and textures, he has more fun, which adds to the cool factor.

The Pretty Little Liars reboot, premiered on Max in 2022, continues the story of a group of friends tormented by a mysterious figure named A. Imogen, Tabby, Faran, Mouse, and Noa navigate the challenges of identifying villains like Archie and Bloody Rose while still enjoying their teenage years.

Mouse found love with Ash, Millwood's power couple. Gonzalez shared how he and Pyles collaborated to portray the healthy relationship between Mouse and Ash on screen.

PLL: Summer School's Jordan Gonzalez Explains How Ash's Evolving Style Depicts His Trans Experience

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"It's a breath of fresh air in a show filled with so many dark themes. It's a great feeling to portray a healthy queer couple amidst all that. While it's crucial to address the struggles of being queer, it's equally important to highlight that we can experience love and be in fulfilling relationships," Gonzalez expressed. "Working with Malia on my first job was incredibly reassuring. She's the perfect scene partner I could have hoped for."

Gonzalez acknowledged that the show played a significant role in the growth of Mouse and Ash, allowing them to develop together. He mentioned that before season 2, they discussed how the characters evolved both together and individually. In the current season, Mouse has become more self-assured while Ash is supportive and observing her journey. Gonzalez expressed his admiration for Malia, who portrays Mouse exceptionally well.

Pyles, however, had positive things to say about Mouse and Ash's relationship. According to Pyles, their love is consistent and strong. In healthy relationships, there may still be issues, but the key is to find solutions without causing harm to the other person. Mouse and Ash demonstrate this by consistently showing love to each other, even when faced with challenges.

Gonzalez praised the positive influence of PLL: Summer School on the main group of friends.

He expressed his admiration for the female cast of PLL, highlighting their talent as actresses. Gonzalez, whose character is now considered an honorary Liar, emphasized the importance of showcasing strong female characters on the show.

Pretty Little Liars: Summer School is available to stream on Max with new episodes released on Thursdays.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the meticulous efforts made by Jordan Gonzalez and the costume department in portraying Ash's journey as a transgender man in "Pretty Little Liars: Summer School." Gonzalez's use of playlists and collaboration with the costume head reflect a deep understanding of Ash's character development, capturing his evolution from stoicism to embracing vibrant colors and fluidity. This attention to detail not only enhances the character's authenticity but also serves as a testament to the show's commitment to accurate and inclusive representation.

Furthermore, the article emphasizes the importance of showcasing healthy queer relationships in media. Gonzalez and Malia Pyles, who portrays Mouse, collaborate to portray a couple that navigates challenges together while valuing love and respect. This positive representation challenges stereotypes and provides viewers with relatable and uplifting LGBTQ+ characters. The article also highlights the show's focus on strong female characters, with Gonzalez acknowledging the talent of the female cast and the significance of featuring such characters on television.