Ashton Bray has spent 13 years lighting up the “FANTASY” stage, blending strength, confidence, and undeniable sexiness into every performance.
The showgirl and model took some time out of her day to chat exclusively with The Blast about what it takes to dance professionally in Las Vegas, why it’s not all glitz and glam as many think, and what helps her to feel sexy and confident during performances and modeling shoots.
Ashton Bray Feels ‘Lucky’ To Be Able To Do What She Loves
Ashton told The Blast that she has “so much gratitude for my body, not for how it looks, but for what it can do.”
“I feel so lucky to have a body that is healthy, strong, and can move the way it does,” she said. “When I’m on stage for an audience, I feel like my best self.”
Preparation is everything, and Ashton said she stretches a lot before a shoot for a specific reason.
“Modeling can make you contort your body into very strange positions,” she said. “And I’m often more sore after a photo shoot than I am after a show or rehearsal.”
Balancing Vulnerability And Confidence While Modeling Lingerie
When modeling in very little clothes, such as a bikini or lingerie, it’s important to balance vulnerability with confidence. Ashton told The Blast that by the time she arrives at a shoot, she’s done what she needs to in order to make her body as “strong and as healthy as it can be.”
“That day is not the time to nitpick what I look like,” she said. “It’s the time to be my most authentic and real self and to be grateful that I have the opportunity to show it all off.”
Ashton Serves The Ultimate Showgirl Vibes On Stage In Sin City
Being a showgirl in Las Vegas blends glamour, confidence, and serious athleticism. While the spotlight highlights beauty and sparkle, behind the scenes, there’s a lot of hard work going on.
From rehearsals to self-care and everything in between, being a professional showgirl is a demanding career that encompasses more than just looking the part night after night. And with that, comes misconceptions.
“I think there’s a misconception that being a showgirl is all about beauty and glamour,” Ashton said. “As showgirls, we’ve spent our lives training to be professional dancers. Our job is to make difficult things look easy and effortless.”
Ashton Is One Of The ‘FANTASY’ Calendar Models
For the past 21 years, fans of “FANTASY” have been able to get their hands on an annual calendar featuring the dancers. The 2026 calendar debuted in October during a special celebratory performance.
Anita Mann, producer, choreographer, and creator of the show, told The Blast that “modeling is fun” for the dancers and they really enjoy shooting for the calendar.
“They get their makeup done and they get to be glamorous,” she said. “It’s always a joy, and this year’s calendar is very classy, it’s romantic.” She further shared that the dancers are “empowering themselves” both on the stage and off with the calendar shoot.
Ashton is the model for the month of December. You can purchase a calendar and other “FANTASY” items at their online store, as well as at the showroom during shows.
A Day In The Life Of A Las Vegas Showgirl
A few months ago, The Blast had the opportunity to see what a day in the life of a showgirl was like by visiting the showroom to catch a rehearsal and see behind-the-scenes of the production.
After touring the areas where the dancers get ready before the show and do their quick changes in between numbers, we took a seat in the showroom to watch some of their rehearsal. Ahead of rehearsal, Ashton shared a little of what her typical day looks like.
“I’m normally up at 10:30. I like to spend a little bit of time outside; I have two dogs,” she said. “We’re pretty normal. Sometimes I feel like we’re living a double life during the day.”
In addition to performing, Ashton also has the job of teaching the show to new dancers and singers, and handles the show’s social media pages alongside Mariah Nieslanik, another dancer in “FANTASY.”
For more information on “FANTASY,” visit their website and Instagram page.