Ashleigh Crystal Hairston

Lore & Background

Hairston was born in Seattle, Washington, and raised in nearby Bellevue, Washington. She is the youngest of five children. Her father was the minister of a predominantly Black church in Seattle, and she was active in the church. She attended Howard University and majored in Theatre Arts. After graduation she moved to Los Angeles in 2012 and took improv and sketch writing classes at iO West. She also performed improv at Second City Hollywood and on a sketch team for Maude Night at UCB, and trained in voice acting.

Hairston booked her first voice acting role in 2019 for Avengers Assemble. While voicing a recurring character on Craig of the Creek, she later joined the writing staff in her first writing job. She incorporated her childhood experiences playing double dutch in one of the episodes she wrote. Hairston was the head writer for the Craig of the Creek spin-off Jessica's Big Little World. She has also written for Wolfboy and the Everything Factory on Apple TV+.

She is the co-developer, co-executive producer, showrunner, and the lead voice role for the Netflix revival series The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish, which follows a young Black girl, Hazel Wells, as the new god-kid of fairy godparents Cosmo and Wanda. Hairston is the voice of Babs Bunny in the HBO Max revival Tiny Toons Looniversity. In Backyard Sports: The Animated Special, she voiced Sunny Day and Jocinda Smith.

Reader's Guide

Ashleigh Crystal Hairston represents a notable figure in contemporary animation, bridging voice acting and writing. Her work on Craig of the Creek and its spin-off Jessica's Big Little World earned her nominations for Children's & Family Emmy Awards and an Annie Award, highlighting her contributions to children's television writing. As co-developer and lead voice of The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish, she helped create a series centered on a young Black girl, expanding representation in the franchise. Her career path—from improv training in Los Angeles to head writer and showrunner—illustrates a trajectory from performer to creative lead. Hairston's incorporation of personal childhood experiences, such as double dutch, into her writing adds authenticity to her work. Her recognition as a Rising Star In Animation by Animation Magazine in 2024 underscores her growing influence. Overall, Hairston's multifaceted role as actress, writer, and producer positions her as a key voice in shaping animated content for diverse audiences.

Did You Know?

• Hairston is the youngest of five children and her father was a minister of a predominantly Black church in Seattle.
• She booked her first voice acting role in 2019 for Avengers Assemble.
• She incorporated her childhood experiences playing double dutch into an episode of Craig of the Creek.
• Hairston was named a Rising Star In Animation by Animation Magazine in 2024.