Simone Ashley reveals she’s ‘defying the social expectations’ women face to settle down in their 30s – after declaring she’s in her ‘single era’ amid split from boyfriend of three years

Simone Ashley has revealed she’s ‘defying the social’ expectations’ of women feeling pressured to settle down and marry once they hit their 30s.

The Bridgerton actress, 29, recently declared that she’s in her ‘single era’ after her split from boyfriend of three years – Constantin ‘Tino’ Klein.

And in a new interview, Simone told how she’s not going to adhere to the stereotypical pressures that women face once they hit a certain age, and instead will focus on the things in her life that she’s ‘grateful’ for.

Speaking to DEFINED magazine, in which she also stuns in a striking photoshoot for, she remarked: ‘I am just really trying to focus on everything that I am grateful for in my life right now. I kind of defy any social expectations for women to have pressure to settle.’

Indeed, the actress is very much focused on her upcoming rom-com Picture This in which she plays lead character Pia, who like Simone, is about to enter the next decade of her life.   

Pia is a struggling photographer whose quest to find love and career success is thrown into jeopardy with the arrival of her ex, and in addition, she has added pressures from her family to find the one after her younger sister gets engaged before her. 

Simone told how she’s not going to adhere to the stereotypical pressures that women face once they hit a certain age, and will focus on the things in her life that she’s ‘grateful’ for

The Bridgerton actress, 29, recently declared that she’s in her ‘single era’ after her split from boyfriend of three years – Constantin ‘Tino’ Klein [pictured in 2023]

Amid her lead role in the film, which she executive produces, Simone spoke of being influenced by classic rom-coms of the 90s.

She shared: ‘I grew up watching all the ‘90s rom-coms. Picture This was influenced by that world – films like Bend it like Beckham and Bridget Jones – and the fact that she (the character) was South Asian and also the heroine of this film was important to me.’

On the importance of demonstrating a realistic and nuanced portrayal of British-Indian family life of which films like Bend It Like Beckham is praised for, she continued: ‘I wanted to make sure that the culture was celebrated and any stereotypes were defied or twisted, so there’s a surprise for the audience.’

The Sex Education star added that she wanted to ensure her character Pia as ‘humanised’ as much as possible, while wanting other brown women to realise that they too can ‘belong’ in the ‘world of rom-com’. 

As well as acting, Simone is preparing to also embark on a music career.

And it appears that the actress is channelling her recent heartbreak into music for her forthcoming debut pop album following her split from Constantin, the boss of a company that organises ice races in Austria.

The Surrey-born star told Daily Mail’s Richard Eden: ‘Sometimes I feel a song is storytelling and sometimes songs that were maybe written from a place of heartbreak end up being a dance cry banger.’

She added: ‘One of my songs has been influenced by heartbreak. There was one song that was written from a place of heartbreak.

She told Defined magazine: ‘I am just really trying to focus on everything that I am grateful for in my life right now. I kind of defy any social expectations for women to have pressure to settle’

Indeed, the actress is very much focused on her upcoming rom-com Picture This in which she plays lead character Pia [pictured], who like Simone, is about to enter the next decade of her life 

‘I grew up watching all the ‘90s rom-coms. Picture This was influenced by that world… and the fact that she (the character) was South Asian and also the heroine of this film was important to me’

‘I wanted to make sure that the culture was celebrated and any stereotypes were defied or twisted, so there’s a surprise for the audience’

‘It was a really grey weekend when I was writing it, then when we went to the studio, the sun came out and I had a few months of distance from the song and it turned into something really positive.’

Elsewhere, earlier this month, Simone confirmed her relationship status to People as she embraced single life, defining her ‘single era as a time that I don’t wanna waste away.’

She added: ‘It’s about self-growth, and I am looking for someone who is so confident in themselves and is really ready to have an open heart in the same way I do. And I think that’s hard to find.’

The film star went on to insist that she’s ‘not in a rush’ to find someone new, explaining: ‘I want to take my time to find the right person for me and to work on myself—to grow, and to focus on my work.’ 

Cute! Bridgerton actress Simone Ashley has confirmed her relationship with boyfriend Tino Klein 

Simone then looked toward her ‘incredible year ahead’ full of ‘exciting’ things, noting that she has the love of the ‘most amazing family and friends’.

She added that she is now focused on ‘working on my heart’ and confidence. 

Earlier this year, Simone also joked about the ‘irony’ of starring in a rom-com having just gone through a break-up. 

Speaking on an episode of the BBC’s Women’s Hour podcast, she said: ‘It’s kind of ironic I’m promoting a rom-com, and as of January this year, I’ve been entering my single era.’