Ashley Chrisha Marie Everett (born April 19, 1989) is an American dancer and actress. She is best known as lead backup dancer and dance captain for Beyoncé, and has worked with such artists as Usher, Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo, Tina Turner, Ciara, Sean Paul and Anitta. She frequently features in high-profile music videos, television commercials and concert tours. Everett's career began at age 16 when she met Beyoncé's choreographer Frank Gatson, Jr. while dancing at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2007. Later that year, Gatson Jr. gave Everett the chance to audition for Beyoncé. At age 17, she dropped out of the Juilliard School to join The Beyoncé Experience Tour, and in 2009 at the age of 19, she became dance captain. Everett has worked with Beyoncé on every major concert tour, many TV commercials, and has danced or acted in over 20 music videos with the singer. She also began to work with other music artists, and expanded her career into acting with a role in the third season of the VH1 series Hit the Floor, which aired in 2015. In 2008, Everett was one of two featured dancers in the music video for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", which amassed over 685 million YouTube views and became world-renowned for its dancing and choreography. Other notable performances with Beyoncé include the 2013 Super Bowl XLVII halftime show, the 2016 Super Bowl 50 halftime show, and Coachella 2018. Distinguishable on stage by her curly, red afro, Everett has amassed a large following among Beyoncé's fan base. She trained as a contemporary ballet dancer as a child, and has also mastered various styles including tap, ballroom, jazz, and hip hop.