Jhey Castles Steals the Spotlight 

Even if you don’t know her name, Jhey Castles says she’s probably sold you something before. Her down-to-earth, somewhat self-deprecating humor conceals an impressive resume of movies, TV shows, and over 100 commercials. In reality, Jhey is living the life that many only dream of. And it all started with one question: If you weren’t afraid of anything, what would you do? 

Her answer? Move to California and act. At 27, she moved to Hollywood, immersed herself in acting classes and auditions, and eventually broke into the industry as the host of a country music countdown show. 

“I don’t recommend this to everyone,” she laughed. “The decision came with a lot of naivete.” Still, her leap led to success. She’s known for titles like the 2022 film, “Two Tickets to Paradise,” and household names like “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “Magnum P.I.” 

“One of my early roles was as an extra in a movie, and I also got to work on the crew,” she explained. “I was a production assistant for the rest of the film, which allowed me to learn so much about every department and really see how the whole machine runs.” 

She says her true turning point came with commercials. “I started booking like crazy,” she said. “It kept me creatively engaged, well-traveled, and most importantly, fed. LA ain’t cheap.” 

Castles now has experience across nearly every medium, including new media, film, television, and commercials. Though she loves it all, film remains her favorite. One of her most memorable jobs was working alongside LL Cool J. “Getting to talk about music with him for hours in between takes? That was a pretty spectacular time,” she said. That moment was especially meaningful to Castles as a musician. She plays the ukulele, sings, and writes music, merging her creative worlds whenever possible. 

Of all her roles, her lead in the Lifetime thriller titled The Pom Pom Murders is a favorite. “I got to explore the finer details of a woman having a breakdown,” she said. “It was a dark role, but one I really enjoyed diving into.” 

In the next phase of her career, Castles hopes to lean more into comedy. Her recent comedic film, The Rewrite, premiered in June, demonstrating to casting directors that she can cry big tears and deliver punchlines. “You lean into your strengths, but they have to be honed,” she said, admitting that comedy feels most natural, but she’s become adept across both genres. 

For aspiring actors, Castles offers this encouragement: “Talent doesn’t have a zip code, and there’s definitely never been a better time to be an actor outside of LA.” Be warned, however. It doesn’t come easily. “It takes a lot of hustle, focus, and determination. But I believe that if you stand in line long enough, it will eventually be your turn.” 

Follow the Edmond-rooted entertainer on Instagram @JheyCastles or online at jheycastles.com.