Kelsey Asbille, known for her role in Yellowstone, reminisces about her time on One Tree Hill, where she portrayed Gigi Silveri from 2005 to 2009, during a recent episode of the “Drama Queens” podcast.
Reflecting on her audition experience at the age of 13, Asbille revealed that she stuffed her bra, thinking she was auditioning for a cheerleader role, only to discover she was actually vying for the part of the school nerd.
Despite the unexpected twist, she embraced the opportunity and fondly remembered her first professional gig, alongside cohosts Hilarie Burton Morgan and Bethany Joy Lenz.
Asbille’s character, Gigi, was introduced as a lovestruck student infatuated with Marvin “Mouth” McFadden (Lee Norris). Despite her initial nervousness and lack of experience, Asbille cherished the chance to work alongside Norris, who provided guidance as a seasoned child actor from Boy Meets World.
However, her nerves escalated when she had her first on-screen kiss with James Lafferty, recreating a romantic scene between Nathan and Haley. With braces at the time, Asbille humorously recalled the awkwardness of the moment, noting the audible “smack” as she inadvertently collided with Lafferty’s face.
Despite the challenges of portraying an older character at 13, Asbille appreciated the support and protection she received from her castmates, particularly during more mature storylines in later seasons.
Reflecting on her growth throughout the show, Asbille credited the supportive environment for helping her navigate the complexities of her role.
Despite the discomfort of certain scenes, Asbille expressed gratitude for the formative experience on One Tree Hill, which propelled her career forward, leading to subsequent roles in Teen Wolf, Fargo, and Yellowstone.