I recently went one-on-one with Ashley Parker Angel, best-known as a member of the multi-platinum group O-Town. Since O-Town, Ashley has gone on to have his own MTV Series, tour internationally, release a top 5 solo album on Universal Records, and star in major Broadway shows, including Hairspray and Wicked. Ashley is also the co-founder of the supplement company High Level Science.
Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, what is something about you that even your most passionate fans don’t know?
Ashey: I have been obsessed with scuba diving and exploring the ocean my entire life. The ocean feels like another planet to me. If aliens exist, I believe they are underwater. We have explored more of outer space than we have of our own oceans. That blows my mind. There is something spiritual about descending into silence and weightlessness. You are completely present because you have to be. Every breath matters. Every movement matters. Shipwreck dives are my favorite. There is something powerful about exploring a piece of history frozen in time. You are hovering over something that once carried people, stories, cargo, and dreams. Now it is reclaimed by nature. Coral grows through the windows. Schools of fish move through what used to be hallways. It reminds me how temporary everything is and how powerful nature really is. I am only one certification away from becoming a Master Scuba Diver. It is a personal goal of mine. Diving has taught me about being calm under pressure, situational awareness, and respect for forces bigger than myself. Those lessons translate directly into business and life.
Adam: What is something you have witnessed up close or experienced that would shock fans?
Ashley: While getting my Cave Diver certification in the Caribbean, I swam into a dark underwater cavern and came face to face with an eight-foot bull shark resting on the ocean floor. Bull sharks are considered one of the most dangerous shark species and have been responsible for numerous attacks worldwide. At that moment, you feel very small. The cavern was silent. My light cut through the darkness, and suddenly there it was. Still. Watching. There is no dramatic music like in the movies. Just your breath in the regulator and your heartbeat. I had to remain calm. Sudden movements could have triggered curiosity or aggression. I slowly backed out, controlled my breathing, and exited the cavern. I escaped unharmed, but it was terrifying. Experiences like that strip away ego instantly. Nature does not care about your resume, your fame, or your followers. You are just another living thing in its environment. That perspective is humbling and grounding.
Adam: How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your development and success?
Ashley: Growing up, I was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness in a highly religious and controlling environment. At 17 years old, I was excommunicated from the church and cut off from my family. I was forced to move out before graduating high school, and became the black sheep. That kind of rejection at a young age either breaks you or builds you. For me, it built resilience. When you lose your support system, you are forced to find strength internally. I had to figure out how to survive and how to believe in myself when no one else was validating me. That independence shaped everything that came after. It taught me that security is not something given to you. It is something you build.
For twenty years, I worked as a singer and actor with over ten million albums sold, two hit national television shows, and starring roles on Broadway. From the outside, it looks glamorous. Inside, it was a constant audition. A constant comparison. A constant cycle of highs and lows. There were deals that fell apart. Tours that did not go as planned. Projects that never saw the light of day. Moments where I questioned my direction. The entertainment industry teaches you quickly that nothing is guaranteed. You can be at the top one moment and have to start over the next. There is no success without failure. In fact, there is no such thing as a mistake. You either win or you learn something valuable you would not have otherwise. No one can circumvent the process of trying and failing repeatedly. We learn more from failure than from success because failure forces reflection. It forces growth.
Those lessons are invaluable now that I am an entrepreneur in health and wellness, co-founding medical-grade supplement brand High Level Science with world-renowned cardiologist Dr. David Rizik. Entrepreneurship is performance in a different arena. You pitch investors. You negotiate retail. You face rejection. You adapt. The emotional muscle is the same. When we decided to build High Level Science, it was not about putting my name on a product. It was about solving a real problem. After discovering my own elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels despite living a fitness-focused life, I realized how much misinformation exists in the supplement space. I partnered with Dr. Rizik because I wanted clinical credibility, not hype. We built Heart + Body + Mind around three core ingredients that are heavily studied in cardiovascular health: omega-3 fatty acids in a superior triglyceride form, CoQ10 in a bioavailable form, and natural vitamin E. No seed oils. No artificial colors. No proprietary blends hiding weak doses. Full transparency. Now seeing High Level Science launch nationally through GNC and their innovation platform, The Drop, is a full-circle moment. GNC has been a leader in health and wellness for decades. To go from hand-packing boxes years ago to having products on shelves nationwide is surreal. But it did not happen overnight. It happened through iteration, setbacks, reformulations, packaging revisions, compliance hurdles, and countless conversations.
Obstacles are not a sign to quit. They are a sign you are building something real. Rejection fuels me rather than defeats me because I have experienced what true rejection feels like. If you survive losing your family at seventeen, you can survive a business challenge.
Adam: In your experience, beyond natural talent, what are the common qualities among those who have been able to enjoy success as performing artists?
Ashley: Performers develop a relationship with vulnerability. We step on stage knowing anything can happen. You can hit a wrong note. Forget a line. Miss a step. People might laugh. Now those moments can go viral and live forever online. Yet we still step out there. That ability to move forward despite the risk of embarrassment is powerful. Public speaking consistently ranks as the number one fear in surveys. It comes down to fear of judgment. Performers learn early that judgment is inevitable. You cannot control it. You can only control your preparation and your response.
The most successful artists I have been around share discipline. They show up prepared. They rehearse when no one is watching. They understand that talent opens the door, but work ethic keeps you in the room. They also adapt. The music industry changes rapidly. Trends shift. Technology evolves. Social media reshapes discovery. Those who survive decades are those willing to evolve without losing their core identity. That same principle applies to business.
Adam: What are the best lessons you have learned through your career in music that are applicable offstage?
Ashley: For as many people who love your music, there will likely be just as many who do not. That is life. The most beloved public figures are often equally criticized. If you chase universal approval, you will lose yourself. The lesson is to stay anchored in your values. Know who you are. Create from authenticity. The right people will resonate. The wrong people were never meant to.
Another lesson is consistency. Hits are great, but careers are built on showing up repeatedly. In music, you tour. You record. You promote. You repeat. In business, you refine. You market. You educate. You repeat. Longevity is a result of sustained effort over time.
Adam: Who are the best leaders you have been around and what have you learned from them?
Ashley: I learned early from legends like Clive Davis, who signed my group O-Town as one of his first new artists after leaving Arista Records. He understands timing, talent, and vision. To create success that spans decades, you must adapt while maintaining standards. My current mentor, Bert Bedrosian, is a lifelong entrepreneur and global brand builder. He thinks long-term. He evaluates risk strategically. He reminds me that leadership is not about being the loudest voice. It is about creating alignment and clarity. I never want to be the smartest person in the room. Growth requires proximity to people operating at a higher level. Surrounding yourself with excellence elevates your own expectations.
Adam: In your experience, what are the defining qualities of an effective leader? How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?
Ashley: An effective leader understands people. Business is numbers, but leadership is human. Social intelligence matters. Listening matters. Reading the room matters. To take leadership skills to the next level, let go of ego and pride. Lead with service and integrity. The best leaders demonstrate through action. They show discipline. They show accountability. They show composure under pressure. They also make decisions. Indecision creates stagnation. Even imperfect action creates momentum and data you can learn from.
Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders?
Ashley: Be fast, fluid, and flexible. Success likes speed. Move with purpose and decisiveness. Stay fluid and curious. Curiosity creates innovation. When you think you know everything, growth stops. Be flexible so you do not become rigid or trapped by outdated thinking. Markets evolve. Technology evolves. Culture evolves. Leaders must evolve too.
Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?
Ashley: I strive to live by the Japanese proverb, Fall Seven Times, Stand Up Eight. You will get knocked down in life. That is guaranteed. The only way forward is to keep standing back up. Resilience compounds. Every time you rise, you build confidence that you can rise again.
Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share?
Ashley: I am deeply passionate about helping people take control of their health. Fitness is visible. Cardiovascular health is often silent. Through High Level Science and our partnership with GNC, my mission is to bridge inspiration with education. Whether through music, performance, or wellness, everything I do comes back to growth. Growth requires discomfort. It requires courage. It requires getting back up.
Follow me on social media for fitness, health, and wellness motivation. Thank you for the interview.
