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Ashley Jaye

@ashleyjayeaye

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Actress living with Autism & ADHD & BPD 🦥 My special interests are sloths, exotic animals🐍 & Betty Boop💋 Follow my animal acct: @unapologeticexotics

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School is back in session at Eureka Day private school in Berkeley, CA. 🚌 How will these parents navigate their way through the year when a student comes down with a case of the mumps?

Watch me play Carina in Eureka Day at the Contra Costa Civic Theater, Sept. 11 - 27, 2026. 🎟️ Tickets available at @ccct_elcerrito.

📸 @alexandrariversphotography taken in Contra Costa Civic Theatre by @ashleyjayeaye

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a month ago

I’m just a girl ~
#tarantulas #audhdwomen #tarantulasofinstagram #chacogoldenknee #funnyposts by @ashleyjayeaye

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6 months ago

Do whatever makes you happy. 🥰 I love hanging out with Big Lotta (my Aphonopelma chalcodes tarantula) on the floor after a long day. Share in the comments what makes you happy. #blackreptileowners #audhdwomen #reptilekeeper #tarantulasofinstagram #tarantulas by @ashleyjayeaye

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7 months ago

Reptiles & tarantulas are better than designer bags do me. 🥰 #blackreptileowner #tarantulas #exoticpetsofig #audhdwomen #tarantulasofinstagram

Shoutout to @swishhspiders and @arachnid_kat for the inspo for this video. by @ashleyjayeaye

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7 months ago

5 things exotic animal care has taught me:

1. Routine
2. Patience
3. Observation
4. Confidence
5. Humor

Share what caring for your pets has taught you in the comments!
#blackreptileowners #tarantulas #mentalhealth #exoticanimals #audhdwomen by @ashleyjayeaye

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7 months ago

Let me introduce y’all to the little beings who keep me grounded: my reptiles, dogs, and tarantulas. 🐶 🐍 🕷️

Each one has taught me something different. How to slow down. How to listen. How to care with intention.

For me, exotic pets aren’t just “cool animals.” They’re part of my mental health toolkit. They’re a source of calm, connection, and confidence in this chaotic world.

💬 Have you ever felt this way? Drop a comment below sharing the names of your animals.

#blackreptileowner #tarantulas #exoticpetsofig #dogsofig #pets by @ashleyjayeaye

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7 months ago

My care routines aren’t just about the animal. It’s for my mental health. The quiet moments. The observation. The rhythm of routine. It’s grounding for me as someone with Autism and ADHD and a WHOLE other host of diagnoses.

My autism craves routine.
My ADHD craves novelty.

Caring for all of my exotic pets fulfills the needs of my body and brain. Also, it helps me build the confidence I need to navigate the world. I get to show up as my full self: neurodivergent, anxious, kind, and curious.

💬 If exotic pet care has ever felt calming or centering for you, let me know in the comments.

#mentalhealth #exoticpets #blackreptileowner #actuallyautistic #audhdwomen by @ashleyjayeaye

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7 months ago

Growing up as a Black, neurodivergent, and queer person, I rarely saw people who looked like me in the exotic pet keeping hobby. 🐍

As a kid, my peers would make fun of my interests in reptiles, particularly tortoises at the time. But once I made a friend who looked like me and was also interested in keeping a tortoise, I lit up! I felt seen. As I got older, I found more and more Black, neurodivergent, and queer folks who are exotic pet keepers. 🐢

This is why I created Unapologetic Exotics. I want other Black, neurodivergent, and queer folks to feel seen. I want to be able to share my experiences with keeping exotic pets while managing my mental health: BPD, AuDHD, Depression, and cPTSD. I also want beginners and people returning to the hobby to feel welcomed.

I will be talking about exotic pet keeping and real life. I honor my culture, mental health diagnoses, and the grounding power of caring for my pets. Let’s make room for curiosity, questions, and the parts of you that other spaces overlook.

You belong here — unapologetically. Follow for identity-affirming exotic pet education and mental health tips. ✨️

#BlackReptileOwner #ReptileKeeper #tarantulasofig #chameleongeckos #Mentalhealthadvocate by @ashleyjayeaye

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8 months ago

👋🏾 Hi, I’m Ashley Jaye. A Black, neurodivergent, and queer exotic pet keeper who never quite fit the stereotypes people expect in this hobby. 🐢

For years, I felt like I had to code-switch, over-explain, or prove I “belonged” in animal-keeping spaces. But caring for animals has always been grounding for me.

I created Unapologetic Exotics because I know I’m not the only one who needed a space like this. A space where identity and mental health aren’t an afterthought. A space where care is calming, not overwhelming. A space where you can learn about reptiles, tarantulas, and other exotic animals without shame and judgment. There are no stupid questions here!

If that resonates with you, let’s follow each other to stay updated on our journey of exotic pet keeping. ✨️

#BlackReptileOwner #ReptileKeeper #Tarantulas #cornsnakes #exoticpetsofig
exoticpets mentalhealthadvocate by @ashleyjayeaye

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8 months ago

🎭 LAST WEEKEND to see me play The Mute in The Fantasticks. Shows 11/07-11/09. Tickets 🎟️ @beniciatheatre

📷 Steve Organ & @mvaphoto1 by @ashleyjayeaye

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a year ago

✨ Huge thanks to our incredible creative partners! Love is in the air — and so is our gratitude! 💛

A heartfelt thank-you to Michael Van Auken Photography for capturing our cast of The Fantasticks so beautifully, and to Gordon Gray Design for creating our stunning posters, postcards, banners, and flyers. 🎭🌙

Your artistry brings the magic of this show to life — whimsical, romantic, and full of community spirit.

Come experience the love on stage!
The Fantasticks opens TOMORROW — October 17 and runs through November 9, 2025
📅 Fridays & Saturdays at 8PM | Sundays at 2PM
📍 B.D.E.S. Hall, 140 W J Street, Benicia

🎟️ Get your tickets at: BeniciaTheatreGroup.org

#Benicia #BeniciaTheatreGroup #TheFantasticks #CommunityTheatre #BayAreaArts #SupportLocalTheatre #AdriaSwan #MichaelVanAukenPhotography #GordonGrayDesign #BeniciaArts #LoveIsInTheAir @mvaphoto1 @gordongraydesign @ashleyjayeaye taken in B.D.E.S. Benicia Holy Ghost (The Portuguese Hall) by @ashleyjayeaye

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a year ago

I’m so proud to make my debut with Crowded Fire Theater in “limp wrist in a lever” by preston choi. I’m glad to be playing a fierce, queer black femme trying to escape a conversion therapy camp with her friends. We are literally fighting for our lives in this shows (there is so much fight choreo!)

Last weekend of shows this Thursday thru Saturday, Oct. 2-4. Tickets 🎟️ @crowdedfire

📸 by Cheshire Isaacs by @ashleyjayeaye

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a year ago