‘This Morning’ Star Ashley James, 39, Ignites Buzz with Easter Swimsuit Post — Photos and Videos
The media personality is dividing the internet — again. From a solo Easter getaway to a cheeky Bible quote, the model-turned-activist's holiday posts have sent her followers into a spin.
She's been called "tone deaf," "selfish," and a "feminazi" — all in the same week. And Ashley James? She has receipts, a response, and a very good tan.
A photo from Ashley James' post, dated 7 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
The former "This Morning" contributor and DJ kicked off the Easter weekend in style, jetting off to Tulum, Mexico, for a solo holiday — kids firmly at home — and documenting every sun-drenched moment of it. The images she posted stopped more than a few thumbs mid-scroll.
A photo from Ashley James' post, dated 7 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
In a carousel posted on Wednesday, 7 April, the 39-year-old shared a series of snaps from her week away: a barefoot stroll past Tulum's dramatic nighttime jungle sculptures, a languid afternoon in a hammock strung between palm trees, a plate of fresh fish on the beach eaten in the Mexican sunshine, and a windswept moment by colourful fishing boats at golden hour. She looked, by any measure, blissfully rested.
A photo from Ashley James' post, dated 7 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
In her caption, James explained she had been heading for burnout before the trip — working late into the night, often until 2am while writing her book, and then up again at 5 or 6am with her children.
A photo from Ashley James' post, dated 7 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
She described herself as an "ambivert" who rarely gets time alone and said solo travel was exactly the recharge she needed, writing:
"I always forget how nice it is not knowing exactly what the day will look like or who you might end up chatting to."
A photo from Ashley James' post, dated 7 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
She recommended Tulum and Bali as ideal starting points for anyone curious about solo travel, signing off with:
"Remember mums, we can't pour from an empty cup. ✨"
A photo from Ashley James' post, dated 7 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
The response was swift — and split right down the middle.
"'Just book somewhere on the beach' because it's that easy 🤣 so tone deaf in a cost of living crisis. Some people have no option but to 'pour from an empty cup,'" one follower fired back.
A photo from Ashley James' post, dated 7 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
Another seethed, "She has a responsibility to present that as an option rather than 'just book somewhere on the beach'. All she's doing is making mums feel miserable for not being able to do that for their kids let alone fancy solo trips.
"She always says about social media being so damaging to women — her social media is also damaging when used in this way."
A photo from Ashley James' post, dated 7 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
A third went further, thundering, "It's one thing to do something discreetly, and another to put it out for the world. You clearly are flaunting your privilege here.
"Majority of the families across the world are struggling with the cost of living crisis and other economic woes such that they are barely able to make ends meet. And here you are, highlighting the non existent awakening/fulfillment you have experienced in the absence of your loved ones. Very selfish, materialistic and narcissistic of you."
A photo from Ashley James' post, dated 7 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
Others were more bemused than outraged. "Who took all your photos if it was a solo trip?" one commenter quipped. "Who is taking the pics?" echoed another.
A photo from Ashley James' post, dated 7 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
And then came the parenting angle. "The fact you think it's lucky 'the father looks after the kids' is very worrying," one viewer bristled.
A photo from Ashley James' post, dated 7 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
Another declared flatly, "I won't be happy for such an inauthentic influencer no, not all the while working class mums are being made to feel [expletive] due to her posts. You may live in ignorant bliss but I won't thanks."
A photo from Ashley James' post, dated 7 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
James — who regularly uses her platform to advocate for women's rights and speak about the lived experiences of women, from birth trauma to misogyny in the workplace — did not stay quiet. The following day, she posted a pointed response titled "I went on holiday without my kids..."
A photo from Ashley James' post, dated 7 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
"Wow. So apparently going away without your kids makes you a bad mum?" she opened.
James acknowledged the trolling had been intense but said she wanted to address it not because it bothered her personally. "Not because it bothers me, but because of what it reveals about the expectations and judgement mothers still face," she wrote.
A photo from Ashley James' post, dated 7 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
She then landed her sharpest point: her partner Tommy would be away more than her over the summer for stags, weddings, HYROX events and work — "and no one will question it or call him selfish".
Her closing line cut through the noise:
"So if you're still offended about me going away without my kids… pretend I'm a dad. 🤷♀️"
But the Tulum trip wasn't even James's most controversial Easter moment.
On Sunday, 5 April — Easter Sunday itself — she posted a video of herself holding a Holy Bible and announcing she was about to share her "favourite" scripture for the occasion.
A screengrab of Ashley James' post, dated 5 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
She had taken people's advice to "find God" and read Psalm 116:11: "I said in my haste, 'All men are liars.'"
James was quick to clarify it was a joke, writing, "Obviously this is a joke. I respect all faiths: Faith is beautiful."
A screengrab of Ashley James' post, dated 5 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
But she drew a line at religion being weaponised. "What I don't respect is people using religion to justify war, control, and oppression, especially when it's used to police women's bodies, sexuality, and queer communities," she wrote.
She also noted that some of the Easter messaging coming out of the White House this week had been "honestly disturbing".
A screengrab of Ashley James' post, dated 5 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
The comments section was not entirely charmed.
"Hi Ashley, I love insta stories and your book but found this particular post unnecessary on Easter Sunday," one viewer offered, pained.
A screengrab of Ashley James' post, dated 5 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
"Do you really believe you respect all faiths when on the most religious day of the year for Christians you decide to post a joke based on the bible," another challenged.
A screengrab of Ashley James' post, dated 5 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
One commenter made it personal, pleading, "Please stop mocking the bible. You may not be religious but Tom definitely was and is. Just like all us Andrews in the Family."
Another went full theological, writing, "Using Gods word to validate your misandry? I pity you. You truly need Jesus. ✝️"
A screengrab of Ashley James' post, dated 5 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
And one opted for the combo criticism, tying the controversies together, as they wrote, "What I can't understand is why as a mother you didn't want to spend your Birthday and Easter with your family."
A screengrab of Ashley James' post, dated 5 April 2026. | Source: Instagram/ashleylouisejames
It was, by any measure, a week that had everything: sunshine, saltwater, scripture, and a full-blown social media debate about what modern motherhood is — and isn't — allowed to look like.
James, for her part, seems unbothered.