Best known for playing Alice Cullen in the film adaptations of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight novels, Ashley Greene’s casting was met with controversy among fans as she is 7 inches (18 cm) taller than her character, as described in the novel.
Ashley Greene as Alice Cullen and Jackson Rathbone as Jasper Hale appear deeply concentrated while strategizing in a scene from the “Twilight” saga (Credit: Summit Entertainment)
Ashley Greene Addresses Fan Backlash Over Her Twilight Casting
In an interview with MTV in March 2008, Ashley addressed the criticism. “Uh, that’s the biggest complaint about me actually; I’m 5-foot-5. I’m much, much taller than Alice is described, but who is 4-foot-10 anyways?”
“Well, when I read the book, I could see that, and she’s the actress that Stephenie put on her site and said, ‘This is what I think she looks like in my head,’ so that’s natural that everyone else would have her in their head as well. But I’m supposed to be playing a 17-year-old girl, and I think Rachael would be playing a woman now, rather than a 17-year-old. She’s gorgeous. But if there are sequels, I’m going to be playing this young character for the next few years,” Ashley Greene added.
Co-stars Kellan Lutz and Ashley Greene depict the close-knit relationship of adopted siblings Emmett and Alice Cullen in The Twilight Saga (Credit: Cousart / JFXimages / WENN / Chris Connor / Nikki Nelson)
Who Else Could Have Played Alice Cullen? Casting Choices Revealed
American novelist Stephenie Meyer reportedly had petite actress Rachael Leigh Cook in mind for the role. Best known from The Baby-Sitters Club (1995), She’s All That (1999), Josie and the Pussycats (2001), and the television series Into the West and Perception, Rachael is 5′ 2″ (1.57 m).
Lucy Hale, who later starred in Pretty Little Liars, auditioned for several roles in the “Twilight” saga, showcasing her keen interest in the series. She initially tried out for the role of Alice Cullen and auditioned for the characters Jane in “New Moon” and Leah Clearwater in “Eclipse.”
Despite her enthusiasm and love for the books, as she expressed in an interview with J-14, stating she “wanted to be part of the first movie so bad,” the roles ultimately went to other actresses.
Ashley Greene’s Alice Cullen stands with Kellan Lutz’s Emmett, Nikki Reed’s Rosalie, and Jackson Rathbone’s Jasper, embodying the unity of the Cullen family in Twilight (Credit: Summit Entertainment)
How Ashley Greene Landed Alice Cullen & How It Changed Her Career
Ashley Greene originally auditioned for the role of Bella Swan in the “Twilight” saga, but director Catherine Hardwicke envisioned her as Alice Cullen, one of Edward Cullen’s adopted sisters.
The filming for Twilight was completed on May 2, 2008, when Ashley Greene was 21 years old. It was theatrically released on November 21, 2008. At the time, she had no idea the film would become a global phenomenon, significantly boosting her career and financial success. As of 2025, she has an estimated net worth of $8 million.
The role became particularly significant for Greene as it was her first major acting job after moving to Los Angeles a few years earlier, marking a crucial step in her acting career.
Rachael Leigh Cook, the actress Stephenie Meyer envisioned for Alice Cullen, captures the character’s petite essence in this candid shot (Credit: Cousart / JFXimages / WENN / Chris Connor / Nikki Nelson)
Ashley Greene wore different wigs for the four movies, starting with a chopped style in the original film. She was generally comfortable wearing wigs and collaborated on the design of her short-haired wig for the final films.
“This last (wig) was a collaboration with (director) Bill Condon,” Greene revealed. “Luckily, he had the same vision I had for Alice (Cullen). This was a good way to end.”
While Ashley Greene fully embraced Alice Cullen’s whimsical, pixie-like style in Twilight, her personal fashion sense leans in a different direction. Off-screen, she often gravitates toward relaxed, effortless outfits that contrast her character’s structured, otherworldly aesthetic. This shift in style reflects her evolving identity beyond the vampire saga.
From donning wigs to embody Alice Cullen’s signature look to experimenting with diverse fashion choices in her other roles, Greene has always embraced style as a form of expression. Off-screen, her fashion sense reflects a more relaxed and effortless vibe, starkly contrasting her carefully curated film appearances.
Ashley Greene’s Effortless Street Style: A Contrast to Alice Cullen
In December 2014, Ashley Greene was spotted shopping at Bristol Farms in Beverly Hills, California.
Ashley Greene styled distressed jeans with a patterned sweatshirt and slouchy navy suede boots for a casual yet chic grocery run (Credit: Cousart / JFXimages / WENN / Chris Connor / Nikki Nelson)
The then-27-year-old actress sported a laid-back look consisting of distressed “The Looker” jeans by Mother and a Maison Scotch pattern sweatshirt.
Ashley Greene grocery shopping at Bristol Farms in Beverly Hills on December 1, 2014, after being out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday (Credit: Cousart / JFXimages / WENN / Chris Connor / Nikki Nelson)
She accessorized with dark sunglasses and a pair of blue booties we’ve yet to identify. Would you wear this outfit while shopping?
Ashley Greene completed her casual look with slouchy navy suede boots featuring fold-over detailing and black leather straps (Credit: Cousart / JFXimages / WENN / Chris Connor / Nikki Nelson)
Ashley’s skinny “graffiti girl”-colored jeans feature fading along the front of the pants and back pockets, front pocket whiskering, and distressing throughout.
MOTHER The Looker Skinny Jeans, $220
While Ashley Greene’s fashion choices often make headlines, her personal life has also been a topic of interest for fans. Beyond her career in Hollywood, she has built a life filled with love and family, embracing new roles off-screen just as gracefully as she did on-screen.
From Twilight Star to Family Life: Ashley Greene’s Personal Journey
She became engaged to Australian-Lebanese television announcer Paul Khoury in December 2016. They were married on July 6, 2018, at Nestldown, a family-owned retreat near San Jose, California. They have a daughter, Kingsley Rainn Khoury, born in September 2022.
Paul Khoury and Ashley Greene exude elegance at the 28th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party, with Paul in a sleek black velvet suit and layered chains and Ashley dazzling in a sheer, embellished one-shoulder gown on February 9, 2020, in West Hollywood, California (Credit: Alberto Reyes / WENN / Instar)
As Ashley Greene continued to expand her career beyond Twilight, she took on diverse roles that showcased her versatility as an actress.
One such project was CBGB, a film that allowed her to step into a completely different world—one rooted in the gritty, rebellious spirit of punk rock.
Ashley Greene Takes on Punk Rock: Promoting CBGB in NYC
In October 2013, Ashley Greene left the Apple Store in Soho after successfully promoting her latest film CBGB (which, according to the trailers, stands for “Country, Bluegrass and Blues”).
Too short to become a fashion model, she plays the dark-haired daughter of Hilly Kristal, the man who created the venue that ultimately gave birth to underground rock n’ roll and punk.
Elevate a sleeveless fit-and-flare dress with a sleek top knot, minimal accessories, and statement heels for a polished yet effortless look perfect for a night out
Looking anything but the daughter of the godfather of punk, Ashley opted for a sweeter and more romantic look that opposed that of her character as she took the stage to greet fans.
Ashley Greene stuns in a chic Sachin + Babi fit-and-flare dress featuring a striking leather-and-mesh design that blends edgy sophistication with feminine elegance
The actress slipped into a fit-and-flare, leather-and-mesh dress by Sachin + Babi—a dress of contradictions, given the sexy but rugged nature of the leather-and-mesh combination, contrasted with the ultra-femme, flirtatious skater dress silhouette.
Ashley Greene wore her hair up in a sweet-looking bun
While Ashley has a penchant for feminine looks, it seems the actress played up her outfit around the conflicting nature of her dress by slipping into a tough-looking pair of booties and putting her hair up in a sweet-looking bun.
Ashley Greene steps out in edgy black pointed-toe heels featuring sheer mesh panels and glossy leather accents
What is there not to love about this dress? We think it’s genius, from the tiered leather strips to the geometric mesh-and-fabric patterns in front.
Oh, did we mention that, aside from all the other details, the sexy mesh back is the highlight? It’s too bad we couldn’t see it on Ashley, though.
Ashley Greene attends the Apple Store Soho Presents: Meet The Actor – Ashley Greene, “CBGB” at Apple Store Soho on October 7, 2013, in New York City (Credit: Alberto Reyes / WENN / Instar)
We’re not sold on Ashley’s shoes, however. Perhaps it’s a reference to her character in the movie?
Beyond her red carpet appearances and film promotions, Ashley Greene’s everyday style captures a blend of effortless elegance and practicality. Whether running errands or enjoying a casual outing, she often opts for comfortable yet chic ensembles that reflect her laid-back California lifestyle.
A Perfect Summer Look: Ashley Greene Shines in a Floral Maxi Dress
In October 2013, Ashley Greene was the epitome of summer beauty in her floral maxi dress.
Ashley Greene enjoyed a Sunday brunch with her new boyfriend, Paul Khoury, on October 6, 2013, while wearing Bvlgari Bv8113 sunglasses, a Zadig & Voltaire Sunny bag, and Tory Burch Eddie flats (Credit: WENN)
The ‘Twilight’ star shone under the sunny sky with her blonde locks. She probably woke up in the mood for something feminine because she was clad in a floor-length floral dress cinched at the waist with a belt.
The dress is undeniably stunning, featuring a garden-inspired floral print. Ashley’s hair covered the shoulder area, but it looks like the dress is a halter type. It’s spot-on for the warm weather, agree?
Ashley Greene steps out for brunch in a vibrant floral maxi dress, accessorized with a chic navy bag and loose curls (Credit: WENN)
Beyond her on-screen transformations and evolving personal style, Ashley Greene’s shoe choices have also played a key role in defining her fashion identity. Whether gracing the red carpet or keeping it casual on the streets of Los Angeles, her footwear selections reflect a blend of sophistication and effortless charm.
Ashley Greene’s Best Shoe Moments: Red Carpet Glam & Everyday Style
Ashley Greene’s footwear choices have consistently showcased her impeccable taste and versatility.
Notably, at the 2014 Global Green USA Pre-Oscar Party, she turned heads in a vibrant pink Giambattista Valli dress paired with elegant cream Sophia Webster ‘Coco’ pumps featuring distinctive rose-gold pin heels.
At Elton John’s Oscars party earlier that year, Greene opted for sophisticated black satin Dsquared2 sandals adorned with rhinestone-embellished bows, perfectly complementing her sleek white dress.
She was spotted in Soho wearing Tory Burch’s Reggie gladiator sandals for a more casual ensemble. These sandals added a chic touch to her floral shorts and white tee combination.
These selections not only highlight her fashion-forward sensibilities but also offer inspiration for those looking to emulate her diverse shoe style.