Journalist, author, explorer and ocean advocate, Ashlan Gorse Cousteau, uses the power of entertainment to excite and educate audiences around the globe. With her unique approach to engaging storytelling and her expertise in two vastly different careers, Ashlan infuses passion and adventure in caring for our water planet in a way that only she can.

Her first book, Oceans for Dummies (Wiley Publishing) released in 2021, is the go-to guide to understanding our complex, powerful and life-sustaining ocean in an easy to understand and fun read. Ashlan co-starred in Travel Channel’s award-winning series, Caribbean Pirate Treasure. She, along with her husband Philippe Cousteau dove into maritime mysteries and lost treasures, all the while educating viewers on history and our incredible ocean.

In January of 2017, she traveled to New Zealand’s Antarctic Scott Base to be a headlining speaker at TEDx where her talk, Laugh, Cry, Connect…How Entertainment Can Save Our Planet, was received with great praise, completing Ashlan’s travels to all seven continents. Ashlan’s documentary, Nuclear Sharks, for Discovery Channel’s Shark Week 2016 premiered as the #1 rated show across all cable programming. Traveling to the Marshall Islands, she led an adrenaline-filled expedition to film, tag and investigate the mystical grey reef sharks who survived against all odds in the fall out of one of the world’s largest nuclear testing grounds.  

For over a decade, Ashlan worked for top rated entertainment shows; at Entertainment Tonight as a special correspondent and for 7 years prior as a correspondent and fill-in anchor for E! News. She was also the anchor of E! News Now, reaching millions of digital viewers daily. As a leading entertainment journalist, she covered everything from breaking news and celebrity exclusives to award shows and red-carpet premieres.

Cousteau’s endeavors go beyond television. At the request of the United Nations, Ashlan served as host for the UN’s Convention on Migratory Species in Quito, Ecuador. She has presented at the Society of Environmental Journalists, DreamForce and SXSW Eco. Ashlan was selected by former Vice-President Al Gore to be the opening anchor for his internationally live broadcast of 24 Hours of Reality and continues to be a leading voice for our ocean and its importance on Capitol Hill. Ashlan frequently joins EarthEcho International, founded by her husband Philippe, as they empower youth to build a thriving ocean planet. Cousteau is a Global Ambassador for AquaLung Divers. Ashlan currently sits on the Board of the Environmental Media Association, on the National Council for the World Wildlife Fund and is an Ambassador for Ocean Unite.

As well as her work in front of the screen, Cousteau has extensive production experience, working as a segment producer for MSNBC and behind the scenes at broadcast giant NBC on high-profile shows including The Today Show, Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and Access Hollywood. Ashlan served as the West Coast Editor at Large with Life & Style Weekly. Specializing in pop culture and celebrity news, she became a sought-after entertainment expert and on-air commentator in her early 20’s. She regularly appeared on outlets such as NBC, ABC, CNN, CBS, MSNBC, and Fox News. Cousteau started her career in the exclusive NBC Page Program at 30 Rockefeller Center, NYC.

Ashlan earned a BA in Broadcast Journalism and a Minor in Music from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s prestigious School of Journalism. Ashlan, her husband Philippe, daughter Vivienne, their rescued Siberian Husky, Kenai Cousteau, and two chickens reside in Los Angeles.