EXCLUSIVE: Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut Chat’s All the Reveals from Last Night’s Episode of Cruel Summer

Only 4 episodes in and Cruel Summer is already throwing every twist and turn at the audience and last night’s (May 4) episode was no different. The ending featured quite the reveal for fans and we got the chance to chat with one of the star’s of the show, Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut about the episode.

Do you think that Kate’s kidnapping led to Ashley’s change of heart in accepting her as her sister or do you think something else might have led to her change of heart?

“I think it goes to you don’t know what you have until it’s gone and I think Ashley kind of thinks over her actions that she did in 1993, and how much of a jerk she was. Then when Kate disappears, I think she had a time to reflect and I think that reflection period kind of changes her heart to warm up to Kate.”

Why do you think Ashley pushed Kate away the first place and wasn’t just accepting of her as a sister, because Kate really wants her to be her sister?

” I think it really goes back to their parents and I think because of Joy’s energy. I think maybe Ashley thought that Kate was more the same of how Joy is. Over the years, they’ve never really been parents, never really forced them [Ashley and Kate] to get along. They kind of just thought that we would naturally do it, obviously that wasn’t the case, but I think that’s kind of what happened.”

Are we going to learn more about their relationship in the beginning?

“Tune in to watch.”

Well, speaking of relationships, we know that Ashley has a relationship with Jeanette’s brother, Derek [Barrett Carnahan]. Can you preview what is to come with that? And if we’re even going to learn how these two became friends?

“Tune in to watch.”

Let me put it this way, is it going to be exciting?

“Yes for sure. I can say that. You will be in for a treat.”

Does Ashley ever figure out what Kate’s been trying to tell her?

“Well, that’s another one. I’m so sorry. Tune in.”

To check out more from out interview, including her thought’s on last night’s major reveal, click under the jump. New episodes of Cruel Summer air every Tuesday on Freeform.

Photo credit: Jessica Osber

If you were put in Ashley’s position where you have someone like Kate, who is coming to you wanting to share. Would you share? Would you want to know? Or would you still push her away?

“If it was me, no, I would be more receptive. I’d be like, ‘Wait, what do you know? Tell me everything.’ Just because I’m nosy and I love TV. I feel like if I was in Ashley’s shoes, for sure, I’d want to know all details.

Speaking of Ashley and Kate, you and Olivia Holt have such great chemistry. I love the back and forth and the reversal from ’93 to ’94 where you’re basically just stepping into each other’s shoes. So what is it like filming with her?

“Olivia is great to work with. I mean, just our energy on set, she’s so warm, but for our characters, I think you’ll definitely see Ashley try to rebuild the trust that was lost and you can really see her try to make amends to prove herself to Kate.”

Let’s talk about that last scene in the episode where it is revealed that your character is the one chatting with Kate online. Can you preview what’s to come in that sense?

“At the beginning, we come to know that she’s very savvy with chat rooms and that she’s like the OG catfish, but her intentions are good, right? And I think it’s safe to say that Ashley pretty much knows everything that’s transpired throughout the years with these messages. So I think with that information, the audience can kind of infer from there, when you have this omniscient being, when they know everything…you know, what could happen.”

Do you agree with the lengths that Ashley went to, to get Kate to communicate with her, even though Kate doesn’t know it’s her?

“Yes, I think so. Ashley’s honestly worried about her sister and I think this is a really good way for her, a safe way without being too overbearing, to reach out to Kate and again, because that trust was strained from the beginning, this is another way for her to try to make amends.”

What can fans expect to see from Ashley this season?

“You will definitely see Ashley try to prove herself to Kate. To prove how loyal she is and I think you’ll also get a glimpse into Ashley’s personal life.”