Ashley Callingbull is back in the headlines after speaking out over the controversy surrounding the national costume segment at Miss Universe Canada. The former beauty queen criticised the use of Indigenous-inspired costumes at the pageant, questioning how the outfits were approved and whether they properly represented Indigenous culture. Her comments have since led to a wider conversation about cultural representation, with the pageant organisation also announcing changes following the backlash.
But there is much more to Callingbull than the controversy that has put her name in the news. She has built a career across pageantry, acting, modelling and television, while also becoming an important figure in Indigenous representation. Her journey includes several historic achievements that helped make her one of Canada’s best-known Indigenous beauty queens. With her name now back in the Miss Universe Canada conversation, many are taking a closer look at her background, career, achievements and her connection to the pageant.
Why Is Ashley Callingbull Trending?
Callingbull is trending after criticising costumes worn by Jasleen Kaily and Karisa Haverkamp during the Miss Universe Canada 2026 national costume segment. Kaily appeared in an outfit described as “Arctic Beauty”, while Haverkamp wore a costume featuring a feathered headdress and a red handprint. Callingbull objected to the use of Indigenous-associated elements and questioned how the designs had been approved for the competition. The issue quickly gained attention because of her own Indigenous background and her history with the pageant.
The controversy did not end with Callingbull’s criticism. Both contestants later apologised, while the Miss Universe Canada organisation also acknowledged the concerns and announced plans for clearer guidelines around future costume competitions. Callingbull was subsequently invited to serve as a liaison for future costume design, giving her a more direct role in helping the organisation address cultural representation going forward.
How Old Is Ashley Callingbull?
Ashley Callingbull was born on October 21, 1989, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She is 36 years old in 2026 and is a member of the Enoch Cree Nation. Her Cree heritage has remained an important part of her public identity and has influenced her work in entertainment, pageantry and advocacy.
Growing up with a strong connection to her Indigenous background, Callingbull eventually found opportunities in modelling and pageantry before expanding into acting and television. Her career has developed over several years, allowing her to become known for both her professional achievements and her work promoting greater Indigenous visibility.
Where Is Ashley Callingbull From?
Callingbull is from the Enoch Cree Nation in Alberta, Canada. Her connection to the community is central to her identity, particularly because she has used her public platform to promote Indigenous representation in entertainment and fashion.
That background also gives additional context to her reaction to the recent Miss Universe Canada controversy. Her criticism was not simply that of a former pageant winner commenting on a competition. It came from someone whose own Indigenous heritage has been a major part of her career and public work.
Was Ashley Callingbull Miss Universe Canada?
Yes. Callingbull won the Miss Universe Canada title in 2024, becoming the first Indigenous woman to win the national crown. The achievement was widely recognised as an important moment for Indigenous representation in Canadian pageantry.
She later represented Canada at the Miss Universe competition and reached the Top 12. Her success made her one of the most recognisable Canadian pageant figures, while her Indigenous background gave the achievement an additional level of significance.
What Is Ashley Callingbull Known For?
Callingbull is known for her work as a model, actress, television host and beauty pageant winner. She has appeared in Canadian television productions and built experience in front of the camera across entertainment and sports broadcasting.
Her career has also extended beyond entertainment. She has used her visibility to advocate for Indigenous communities and greater representation, making her public profile about more than beauty pageants. Her latest involvement with Miss Universe Canada is another example of her willingness to speak publicly about how Indigenous culture is presented.
Did Ashley Callingbull Win Mrs. Universe?
Yes. Callingbull won Mrs. Universe in 2015, becoming the first Canadian and Indigenous person to win the international title. The achievement came years before her Miss Universe Canada victory and helped establish her as an important figure in international pageantry.
Her success at Mrs. Universe gave her an international platform and opened more opportunities in modelling, television and advocacy. She later continued building her career while remaining connected to pageantry and Indigenous representation.
Ashley Callingbull and Sports Illustrated
Another major achievement in Callingbull’s career came in 2022, when she became the first Indigenous First Nations woman to appear in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. The appearance represented another important step in her modelling career and increased her international visibility.
For Callingbull, the milestone also carried significance beyond fashion. Her career has consistently involved challenging limited representations of Indigenous women and creating greater visibility for Indigenous people in mainstream entertainment and media.
Why Did Ashley Callingbull Criticise Miss Universe Canada?
The latest controversy began during the national costume segment of Miss Universe Canada 2026. Callingbull objected to costumes worn by Kaily and Haverkamp because they incorporated elements associated with Indigenous cultures.
She questioned why the outfits had been approved and argued that culturally significant clothing and symbols should be approached with greater understanding and respect. Her position attracted attention because she had previously held the Miss Universe Canada title and understood the pageant from the perspective of a former contestant.
What Happened After the Controversy?
The controversy prompted apologies from the contestants involved and a response from the Miss Universe Canada organisation. The pageant acknowledged the concerns surrounding the costumes and announced plans to introduce a more comprehensive guide for future national costume competitions.
Callingbull was also invited to serve as a liaison for future costume design. This means the controversy has resulted in more than an online debate, as the former titleholder could now have a role in helping the organisation make more informed decisions about cultural representation.
Is Ashley Callingbull an Actress?
Yes. Callingbull has worked as an actress in addition to her modelling and pageant career. She has appeared in Canadian productions including Blackstone and Tribal, giving her experience across television and entertainment.
Her work in front of the camera eventually expanded into television hosting and sports broadcasting. This has allowed her to develop a career that goes beyond traditional beauty pageant appearances.
What Does Ashley Callingbull Do for a Living?
Callingbull has built a diverse career across entertainment, modelling, television and pageantry. She has worked as an actress and model, hosted television and sports events, and represented major organisations through her public appearances.
She is also known for advocacy and public speaking, particularly around Indigenous representation. Her ability to combine entertainment with advocacy has helped her maintain a strong public profile even outside pageant competitions.
Is Ashley Callingbull Married?
Callingbull was previously married to Ryan Burnham, but the marriage ended in divorce. Her personal life has attracted some public attention over the years, although her professional career and advocacy work remain the main focus of her public profile.
There is limited reliable information about her current relationship status, so claims about her private life should be treated carefully unless she confirms them herself.
What Is Ashley Callingbull’s Net Worth?
Ashley Callingbull’s exact net worth is not publicly verified. She has built income opportunities through modelling, acting, television, pageantry and other professional engagements, but there is no reliable public financial record confirming a specific figure.
For that reason, online estimates should not be presented as confirmed facts. Her documented career achievements provide a more reliable picture of her professional success than speculative net-worth figures.
What Makes Ashley Callingbull Different?
Callingbull’s story stands out because her career combines pageantry, entertainment, modelling and Indigenous advocacy. She has won major beauty titles, represented Canada internationally, appeared in Sports Illustrated and built a career in television.
Her latest controversy adds another significant chapter. She is now speaking out about cultural representation in the same pageant organisation where she previously made history, while also being invited to help shape its approach to future costume competitions.
Conclusion
Ashley Callingbull has returned to the spotlight after challenging the use of Indigenous-inspired costumes during the Miss Universe Canada 2026 competition. Her criticism brought attention to questions about cultural representation and led to apologies from the contestants involved as well as changes announced by the pageant organisation.
Beyond the controversy, Callingbull has already established herself as a notable Canadian public figure. From winning Mrs. Universe in 2015 to becoming the first Indigenous woman to win Miss Universe Canada in 2024 and later appearing in Sports Illustrated, her career has been defined by major milestones in pageantry, modelling and entertainment.
Her latest involvement shows that her influence now extends beyond winning titles. With the pageant inviting her to help guide future costume competitions, Callingbull could play an important role in how Miss Universe Canada approaches Indigenous representation in the years ahead.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ashley Callingbull?
Ashley Callingbull is a Canadian actress, model, television host, beauty queen and Indigenous advocate from the Enoch Cree Nation in Alberta.
Why is Ashley Callingbull trending?
She is trending after criticising Indigenous-inspired costumes worn during the Miss Universe Canada 2026 national costume competition.
How old is Ashley Callingbull?
She was born on October 21, 1989, making her 36 years old in 2026.
Did Ashley Callingbull win Miss Universe Canada?
Yes. She won Miss Universe Canada in 2024 and became the first Indigenous woman to win the title.
Did Ashley Callingbull win Mrs. Universe?
Yes. She won Mrs. Universe in 2015.
Is Ashley Callingbull an actress?
Yes. She has appeared in Canadian productions including Blackstone and Tribal.
What happened between Ashley Callingbull and Miss Universe Canada?
Callingbull criticised costumes worn during the national costume segment, leading to a wider controversy. The organisation later announced new costume guidelines and invited her to serve as a liaison for future competitions.
Did Ashley Callingbull appear in Sports Illustrated?
Yes. She became the first Indigenous First Nations woman to appear in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue in 2022.