Ashley Padilla is not interested in spending her life being miserable over things she cannot change, even when a comedy performance does not go as planned. The Saturday Night Live star believes that life is too short to get trapped in negativity.
Her refreshingly honest approach to self-doubt reveals how she keeps going even when her confidence takes a hit. Rather than letting mistakes ruin her day, Padilla chooses to focus on the good in her life and give herself another chance.
Choosing Gratitude Every Day
Speaking with Zach Baron for GQ's One More Question, Padilla explained that her positive outlook comes down to a simple question: what is the alternative? When asked about her relentless positivity, she replied, 'What is the other option? To be in hell?'
For the comedian, appreciating everyday pleasures is a practical way to keep perspective rather than pretending life is always wonderful. She described waking up and appreciating things as simple as delicious coffee and comfortable pyjamas, explaining that her 'relentless gratitude' comes naturally to her.
Letting Go of Mistakes
Even someone with Padilla's upbeat attitude can find herself dwelling on a disappointing performance, particularly when she wants to do well on SNL. She admitted that after feeling unhappy about something on the show, she caught herself moping before deciding she needed to stop.
Her solution is to recognise when she is making herself feel worse by replaying an experience that cannot be changed. 'Who cares? Let it go,' she recalled telling herself, reminding herself that she could simply do better the following week rather than allowing one setback to overshadow her life.
Finding Comedy in Imperfection
Padilla's approach to mistakes connects with the way she presents herself through comedy, where she is happy to look ridiculous rather than chase perfection. She explained that working with actress Diane Keaton influenced her self-deprecating humour, including her fondness for calling herself an 'idiot'.
Rather than seeing that attitude as an admission that she lacks ability, Padilla views silliness as a way to release the pressure of always appearing composed. She also enjoys portraying awkward characters because their discomfort creates opportunities for layered performances, giving her room to explore emotions while making audiences laugh.
Discovering Her Creative Path
Her confidence was not always so secure, however, and Padilla recalled struggling to find her place while growing up. She said she felt unfocused at school and initially interpreted her difficulties as personal shortcomings because she had not yet realised that comedy could become a career.
Her mother eventually encouraged her creative ambitions, helping her recognise that a conventional path might not suit her. After briefly attending college and leaving, Padilla worked at Sephora before moving to Los Angeles in 2014, where she began pursuing comedy more seriously and taking classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.
Nearly Walking Away From Comedy
The road to success was far from straightforward, and Padilla described years of uncertainty, financial struggles and moments when she considered giving up. She recalled performing comedy while questioning whether her efforts would ever lead anywhere, despite occasional encouragement from people who recognised her talent.
At one point, she genuinely considered leaving the industry after roughly a decade of pursuing comedy. Working on a book with Keaton helped her discover other creative interests, including writing and design, and reminded her that she had skills beyond performing on stage.
Finding Her Place At SNL
Padilla's career took a major turn when her manager helped organise a showcase of her strongest material, which eventually attracted attention from SNL. She auditioned, prepared her writing packet and secured a place on the show, although she admitted that initially she feared viewers might not respond well to seeing her on television. Now, she describes the programme as a collaborative environment where talented colleagues help one another succeed.
Her journey has also taught her that opportunities can arrive after years of uncertainty, making gratitude especially meaningful when she reflects on how far she has come. For Padilla, the lesson is not that people should ignore disappointment or pretend every day is easy. It is that mistakes do not have to dictate the rest of the day, especially when there is another chance to try again.
