You probably remember Nancy O'Dell from those high-octane red carpet interviews or her long stint on Entertainment Tonight. She’s the ultimate pro. But for a long time, the person she was most excited to see at the end of a 14-hour shoot wasn't an A-lister—it was a little girl named Ashby Grace Zubchevich.
Honestly, it’s wild how fast time flies in the celebrity world. One minute Nancy is announcing her pregnancy on national TV, and the next, we’re looking at a young woman who’s basically her mother’s twin. If you’ve been wondering what's actually going on with Nancy O'Dell's daughter lately, you aren't alone. There's a lot of "kinda" true info out there, so let's get into the real story.
Who Exactly Is Ashby Grace Zubchevich?
Ashby was born back in June 2007. It was a huge deal at the time because Nancy was 41, which, back then, sparked a lot of conversation about "older" moms in Hollywood. Ashby’s dad is Keith Zubchevich, a tech executive Nancy married in 2005.
Growing up in the O'Dell-Zubchevich household wasn't just about glitz. Nancy has been super vocal about how Ashby was "not a fragile flower." Because she grew up with two older half-brothers, Tyler and Carson (from Keith’s previous marriage), she had to learn to hold her own pretty early. Nancy used to joke that Ashby could defend herself against anyone because she had "practice" at home.
A Bittersweet Beginning
There’s a part of this story that’s actually really heartbreaking. Nancy’s mom, Betty, was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) right around the time Ashby was born. In a twist of fate that feels like a movie script, Betty passed away just three days before Ashby’s first birthday.
Nancy has shared that Ashby seemed to have this weird, innate sense of what was happening. Even as a tiny baby, she would crawl over and rest her head on her grandmother’s chest. Nancy calls it one of the sweetest, most painful moments of her life. It’s why you see Nancy doing so much work for ALS charities today; it’s a family legacy she’s passing down to her daughter.
Life After the Cameras Dimmed
When Nancy left Entertainment Tonight in 2019, people wondered if she was retiring. Not even close. She moved over to talkshoplive and started focusing more on her life in South Carolina and various business ventures. But the biggest driver for that change? Being a mom.
You’ve probably seen the "Little Ashby: Star Reporter" book series. Nancy literally wrote those because of her daughter. She wanted to show kids—and specifically her girl—that being curious about the world is a superpower.
What is Ashby up to in 2026?
Ashby is now entering her late teens. While many celebrity kids sprint toward TikTok fame or reality shows, Ashby has stayed relatively low-key. You won't find her plastered across every tabloid, which is probably a testament to Nancy and Keith’s parenting.
- Education: She’s been attending school in a way that keeps her out of the aggressive paparazzi lens.
- Interests: She’s inherited her mother's "sunny disposition" but seems to have a groundedness that comes from being raised outside the "bubble" of 24/7 Hollywood.
- The Look: Seriously, the resemblance is uncanny. She has that same bright smile and blonde hair that made her mom a household name.
The Divorce and the "New Normal"
In 2016, Nancy and Keith separated, and the divorce was finalized a bit later. It was amicable, or as amicable as these things can be when millions of dollars and a child are involved. They settled on joint legal custody of Ashby.
Interestingly, neither party paid child or spousal support. They basically decided to just be parents and move on. You often see Nancy posting about "family time" that includes her stepsons, showing that even after a divorce, they kept the unit together for the sake of the kids. It’s refreshing, honestly.
Why People Are Still Obsessed
Why do we care so much about Nancy O'Dell's daughter? It’s probably because we watched Nancy for so many years. She felt like a friend in our living rooms. When she finally had Ashby at 41, it felt like a win for a lot of women who were balancing career and late-in-life motherhood.
Ashby represents the "next chapter" for Nancy. She isn't just a "plus one" at events; she’s the person Nancy credits with changing her from a "night owl" to an "early bird."
The Scrapbook Connection
If you want to know how deep the bond goes, look at the scrapbooks. Nancy is a fourth-generation scrapbooker. She even has a line of photo albums. She once said that putting a child’s picture in a book tells them they matter. Ashby has grown up with volumes of her life documented by her mom’s own hands.
It’s a bit "old school" in a digital world, but it’s how they stay connected.
What you can do next:
If you’re interested in the causes Nancy and Ashby support, you can look into the Betty’s Battle foundation or the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). They frequently do events that highlight ALS research. Also, if you’re a parent looking for a way to bond with your kids, checking out Nancy’s "Little Ashby" book series is a solid move—it’s actually pretty cute and teaches some decent lessons about journalism and travel.
Keep an eye on Nancy’s social media, but don't expect Ashby to become a public figure overnight. She seems quite happy just being a regular teenager for now.