This week on Sweet or Savory, we’re joined by the incredibly talented Ashley Argota Torres — actor, singer, writer, and producer.

Ashley takes us back to the very beginning of her journey in entertainment, from competing in talent shows to booking her first national tour in The Lion King at age 11, where she even met Kobe Bryant. She went on to star in Nickelodeon’s True Jackson VP alongside Keke Palmer, Bucket & Skinner’s Epic Adventures, Disney Channel’s How to Build a Better Boy, and is now writing and producing her own projects.

We talk about the differences between life as a child actor and navigating the industry today, and Ashley opens up about her exclusive People article, where she shared the truth about her toxic relationship with her mom. She reflects on how becoming a mother gave her the courage to reclaim and tell her story and how that perspective continues to shape both her artistry and her life.