Kelsey Asbille has captivated Yellowstone fans with her portrayal of Monica, the resilient and beautiful wife of Kayce Dutton. Monica made the courageous decision to leave behind her previous life and embrace the challenges of living on the Dutton family ranch alongside her husband and son. As a devoted mother, her utmost priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of her son Tate, for whom she would willingly sacrifice anything.
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Prior to her role in Yellowstone, Asbille had notable appearances in various television series. From 2005 to 2009, she portrayed Gigi Silveri in the drama One Tree Hill, leaving an impression on audiences with her performance. Additionally, she portrayed Tracy Stewart in MTV’s Teen Wolf from 2015 to 2016, further showcasing her acting abilities.
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Who is Kelsey Asbille?
Kelsey Asbille is an American actress, born on September 9, 1991, hailing from Columbia, South Carolina. Her parents, Dr. James Chow and Jean Chow, raised her alongside her younger brother and sister.
Fluent in Mandarin, Asbille is skilled in both speaking and reading the language. While her primary residence is in Los Angeles, she also maintains a home in New York City. Since 2012, she has been in a relationship with William Moseley, a British actor.
Asbille has a fondness for vintage dresses and enjoys taking on diverse ethnic roles. If given the chance, she would love to work with the renowned actor Sean Connery, famous for his portrayal of James Bond. Additionally, she has a fascination with the concept of reading minds as a superpower.
In terms of education, Asbille attended Columbia University, where she majored in Human Rights. During her time at Hammond School in Columbia, she became a member of the Hammond Select Ensemble.
Aside from her notable role as Monica in Yellowstone, Asbille is recognized for portraying characters like Tracy Stewart in Teen Wolf (2011-2017) and Mikayla in Pair of Kings (2011-2013). Before taking on the role of Monica, she portrayed Natalie in the 2017 film Wind River, which was directed by Taylor Sheridan, the same filmmaker behind Yellowstone.
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While Asbille was credited as Kelsey Chow for her screen appearances until 2017, she has since been credited as Kelsey Asbille for her roles in projects like Wind River, Yellowstone, and Fargo.
Kelsey Asbille Early life
Kelsey Asbille Chow was born to Brigadier General (Retired) Dr. James C. Chow and Jean Chow. She grew up with her younger brother, Forrest, and her younger sister, Kiersten. Kelsey has described her father as Chinese, and she expressed a desire to become more fluent in Mandarin Chinese and read traditional Chinese characters due to her Chinese heritage.
In 2017 and 2018, Kelsey was cast in Native American roles and claimed to be “part Cherokee” with “Native heritage” in various interviews. Specifically, she mentioned being of “Eastern Band Cherokee descent” and expressed a connection to playing Indigenous characters. However, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians issued a statement denying any record of Chow’s affiliation with the tribe and found no evidence to support her claims of being a descendant.
For her education, Chow attended Hammond School in Columbia, SC, for high school. Currently, she is based in Los Angeles but also maintains a part-time residence in New York City. During her time in New York, she attended Columbia University as a Human Rights major, emphasizing her interest in this field of study.
Kelsey Asbille Career
Kelsey Asbille’s acting career began with her involvement in community theatre, where she honed her skills and developed a passion for the performing arts. She attended the Hammond School in Columbia, South Carolina, where she actively participated in dance performances and school plays.
At the age of 13, Asbille made her breakthrough in the acting industry with a recurring role in the popular TV series One Tree Hill, which aired from 2003 to 2012. This significant opportunity paved the way for her future endeavors and solidified her desire to pursue acting as a career.
In subsequent years, Asbille secured guest roles in shows like The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005-2008) and appeared in films such as Den Brother (2010), Run (2013), and The Amazing Spider-Man (2012). Her talent and dedication led her to a recurring role in the renowned drama series Teen Wolf, where she appeared in 2016.
Additionally, Asbille has made appearances in music videos throughout her career. She featured in Bonnie McKee’s 2013 music video for the song “Sleepwalker” and starred in Hayley Kiyoko’s 2015 music video for the single “Girls Like Girls.”
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Is Kelsey Asbille of Native American Descent?
Kelsey Asbille self-identifies as part Cherokee and claims Native American descent. Online sources indicate that her father came from a Chinese immigrant family, while her mother has White and Native American heritage.
Asbille publicly began asserting her Cherokee heritage in 2017 when she was cast in a Native American role. In an interview with the New York Times, she expressed a personal connection to portraying a Native American character, stating that it was in her blood despite not growing up within an indigenous community.
As a result of her statement, an enrollment specialist for the Eastern Band Cherokee Indians conducted an investigation. The findings revealed that Asbille had never been enrolled as a member of the Cherokee community, and no documentation supporting her claims of Cherokee descent was discovered.
Is Monica Dutton Related to Chief Rainwater?
As of now, there is no evidence or information to suggest that Monica Dutton and Chief Thomas Rainwater from Yellowstone are related. While some fans may speculate about a potential familial connection, the show has not provided any indications of such a relationship.
However, it is worth noting that Monica and Rainwater share similar values and ideas regarding the future of Indigenous people in America. Despite their distinct backgrounds, there have been instances where Monica has assisted Rainwater, driven by her respect for his position as Chief.
As the events on the Yellowstone Ranch unfold, Monica becomes entangled in the unfolding conflicts, leading her to shift her focus towards protecting her son, which becomes a significant priority for her.
Asbille’s Horse Riding Journey in Yellowstone
Prior to her role in Yellowstone, Kelsey Asbille did not have any experience riding horses. While many fans may perceive her as a natural equestrian, the actress revealed in an interview on Kelly Clarkson’s NBC talk show that she considers herself “terrible” at horseback riding. Nonetheless, her acting abilities compensated for any lack of expertise when it came to horses.
When asked about her impressive horse riding scenes in the show, Asbille attributed their success to the magic of filmmaking. She acknowledged the collective efforts of the show’s team, including the editor, stunt double, and the dedicated wranglers and horse trainers who supported her throughout the filming process. Their expertise and guidance allowed her to portray her character with authenticity and grace, despite her initial lack of horsemanship skills.
Controversy Surrounding Asbille’s Role as Monica in Yellowstone
The casting of Kelsey Asbille as Monica Dutton in Yellowstone sparked a significant controversy, primarily stemming from her false claims of Native American heritage, which deeply upset members of the Native American community. Native American actor Adam Beach was one of the individuals who spoke out against Asbille’s casting.
Beach took to social media to express his discontent with the show’s decision, criticizing the message it conveyed: that no Native American actress could lead the series unless they had Cherokee ancestry. He called out Asbille for making unsubstantiated claims about her Native ancestry and labeled her a fraud.
DeLanna Studi, an Indigenous actor and President of the SAG-AFTRA National Native Americans Committee, provided further insight into the backlash against Asbille’s role in the show. Studi highlighted the rarity of Native American actors being cast in roles where they can simply portray “human beings” rather than stereotypical or one-dimensional characters. According to Studi, this casting error ignited discussions on the sensitive issues that have plagued the acting industry for a considerable period.
Studi also emphasized that the creators of Yellowstone still have an opportunity to rectify their mistakes, urging Native people to engage in helping them do so. The controversy surrounding Asbille’s casting has shed light on the need for more authentic and inclusive representation of Native American actors in the industry.
Will Monica Still Appear in Season 5 of Yellowstone?
Yes, Monica Dutton will indeed be a part of Season 5 of Yellowstone. Despite the show’s reputation for eliminating beloved characters, fans can look forward to seeing more of Monica in the upcoming season.
In an interview, Kelsey Asbille hinted at exciting developments for Monica’s character, suggesting that she and Kayce would be expecting a second child, alluding to Monica’s adorable baby bump. Additionally, some fans speculate that Monica’s relationship with Avery might introduce some dramatic elements to the storyline.
Regarding Kayce’s vision of “the end of us,” fans have differing theories about its true meaning. Some believe it refers to his marriage, while others interpret it as a sign of the potential downfall of the entire Yellowstone Ranch.
Despite the initial controversies surrounding her casting, Kelsey Asbille has done a remarkable job portraying Monica Dutton on Yellowstone. Her talent as an actress shines through, and the show’s creators, particularly Taylor Sheridan, have demonstrated their knack for selecting an exceptional cast.
