Annaleigh Ashford on Playing Paula Jones in 'Impeachment'
A Gift of a Lifetime
Actress Annaleigh Ashford, who plays Paula Jones in the series Impeachment, spoke to Newsweek about how the show explores her origin story - and her character's.
Annaleigh Ashford has never met Paula Jones, the woman who accused President Bill Clinton of sexual harassment in 1994, setting off a chain of events that led to his impeachment.
Ashford was a preteen the first time she learned of the existence of Paula Jones, the Arkansas woman who filed the sexual harassment lawsuit that brought down a president. Now, as an adult, she plays Jones in Impeachment: American Crime Story, the latest installment in Ryan Murphy's acclaimed anthology series.
Ashford says portraying Jones was a "gift of a lifetime." She was drawn to the role because of Jones's complexity and her journey from a simple woman to a national figure.
"Paula is not a perfect person," Ashford said. "She made some mistakes. But she also had the courage to stand up for what she believed in."
Impeachment tells the story of the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal from the perspective of the women involved, including Jones, Monica Lewinsky, and Linda Tripp. Ashford says the series is a reminder of the impact that women's stories can have on history.
"I hope this show inspires people to think more deeply about the role of women in politics and in society," Ashford said.
Comments