Ashby Gentry’s Glow Up: Why Alex Looks Different in Season 2

There’s a moment in any long-running show where a character walks back on screen and you find yourself squinting — is that the same person? For fans of My Life with the Walter Boys, that moment came with Alex Walter in Season 2. The 24-year-old actor Ashby Gentry returned to the Netflix series on August 28, 2025, looking noticeably different, and the internet has had plenty to say about it. Between the recast rumors and the glow-up headlines, separating fact from speculation takes some digging.

Age: 24 ·
Instagram Followers: 828K ·
Character: Alex Walter ·
Show: My Life with the Walter Boys

Six key facts about Ashby Gentry, drawn from verified profiles and interviews:

Why does Alex look so different in Walter Boys?

What specific changes did fans notice in Alex’s appearance?

• Facial structure appeared sharper and more mature in Season 2
• Teeth looked noticeably different — straighter, whiter, and more aligned
• Overall physique seemed leaner and more defined, suggesting a fitness regimen
• Hair styling and wardrobe shifted to a more mature, rugged look

The most widely discussed change is in Gentry’s smile. Side-by-side comparisons from Season 1 and Season 2 show a clear difference in tooth alignment, which led to speculation about braces or cosmetic dental work. No official confirmation has been made, but the visual difference is consistent enough that the PEOPLE feature on Gentry noted the shift as part of a broader “glow up.” Viewers also pointed out that Alex’s posture and on-screen presence felt more assured — a change that goes beyond dentistry.

What did Ashby Gentry say about the transformation?

• Gentry told Deadline that Season 2 required a “significant physical transformation” tied to Alex’s rodeo training
• He said he focused on self-care more than before because the role demanded it
• In an interview with Schön! Magazine, Gentry described Alex as “much more confident” in Season 2

Gentry has been candid that the physical changes were intentional. “I focused on self-care more than I did before,” he told Deadline, explaining that the season’s narrative — which sees Alex training for rodeo competition — required him to look the part. The actor linked the external transformation to internal character growth, calling Season 2 a story of “self-discovery” for Alex, Jackie, and Cole in the Netflix Tudum cast interview.

What happened to Ashby Gentry’s teeth?

Did Ashby Gentry get dental work?

• No official statement from Gentry or his representatives confirms dental work
• Visual comparison suggests a change consistent with braces, Invisalign, or veneers
• Fans on social media have pointed to the difference as one of the most visible aspects of his glow up

The question of dental work is the single most common topic in fan discussions about Gentry’s appearance. Side-by-side screen captures from Season 1 and Season 2 show a clear difference in tooth alignment and brightness. While Gentry has not directly addressed the question, the change is consistent with orthodontic treatment — a common choice for actors whose roles require extended screen time. PEOPLE noted the overall transformation without specifying dental work, leaving the question open.

How do changes in teeth affect an actor’s appearance?

• Dental changes can alter facial symmetry, jawline perception, and smile shape
• Even minor orthodontic work can shift how a person’s lower face reads on camera
• For young actors, natural changes in facial structure during their 20s also play a role

It’s worth noting that Gentry was likely in his early 20s during filming — an age when facial bone structure is still settling. A combination of natural maturation, possible orthodontic work, and deliberate fitness changes could easily produce the kind of transformation fans are seeing. Without a direct statement from Gentry, the exact cause remains speculative.

Does Ashby Gentry have a stunt double?

Who performs stunts for Alex in the show?

• No official credit for a stunt double specific to Gentry has been published
• Season 2 features rodeo sequences that would typically require stunt professionals
• Gentry mentioned “rodeo training” in his Deadline interview, suggesting he performed some of the work himself

The stunt double question emerged because some fans felt certain wide shots or action sequences in Season 2 didn’t quite look like Gentry. Rodeo scenes, in particular, involve specialist skills — riding, roping, and falling — that actors rarely perform without a stand-in. The show’s production has not released a detailed stunt credit list, so the question remains unresolved.

Why did fans suspect a stunt double?

• Certain action shots, especially during rodeo sequences, appear to use a different body type
• Fans on forums noted that some shots show a performer with slightly different proportions
• The use of stunt doubles is standard practice in Netflix productions for safety reasons

It’s common for Netflix series to employ stunt doubles for physically demanding scenes, and My Life with the Walter Boys is no exception. However, the lack of a publicly available stunt credit for Gentry specifically means fans are left to infer from visual evidence. The rodeo training Gentry mentioned may have allowed him to perform some of the less dangerous work himself, with a double used for the higher-risk moments.

Did they recast Alex in Walter Boys?

Who plays Alex in Season 2?

• Ashby Gentry reprises the role of Alex Walter in Season 2 — confirmed by Netflix Tudum
• No recasting announcement was made by Netflix or the show’s producers
• The character’s name remains Alex Walter, and the storyline continues directly from Season 1

The recast rumor is one of the most persistent misunderstandings about Season 2. It appears to stem entirely from the visual change in Gentry’s appearance. Some viewers, seeing a noticeably different-looking Alex, assumed a new actor had been brought in. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Gentry is the same actor, and no casting change was made.

Why do some viewers think Alex was recast?

• The dramatic change in Gentry’s appearance between seasons is the primary driver
• Recasting is common in teen dramas when characters age up or actors leave
• Social media algorithms amplified “before and after” comparisons without context

The rumor is a textbook case of how a striking visual transformation can fuel misinformation. Because Gentry’s face and physique changed noticeably, viewers who hadn’t seen promotional interviews or cast announcements jumped to the conclusion that a new actor had taken over. The speed of social media sharing meant the rumor spread before official sources could clarify.

How did Ashby Gentry glow up?

What changes did Ashby Gentry make to his appearance?

• Gentry underwent a “significant physical transformation” for rodeo scenes, per Deadline
• He adopted a stricter fitness and self-care regimen for Season 2
• His style evolved from a boyish, casual look to a more rugged, mature aesthetic
• Possible orthodontic work contributed to a changed smile

The “glow up” is a combination of several factors: intentional physical preparation for the role, natural aging into his mid-20s, and a wardrobe and styling shift that reflects Alex’s character development. Gentry told Schön! Magazine that Alex is “much more confident” in Season 2, and that confidence reads on screen. The character’s arc — from a novelty-driven teenager to a young man discovering who he is — demanded a corresponding visual evolution.

Is the glow up due to skincare, fitness, or styling?

• Fitness played a major role: Gentry trained for rodeo-specific movements and conditioning
• Skincare and grooming appeared more refined in Season 2 promotional materials
• Styling shifted to a more Western, mature aesthetic — boots, denim, and structured jackets

Gentry’s glow up is a textbook case of holistic transformation. Rather than a single change, it’s the sum of fitness, grooming, styling, and the intangible confidence that comes from stepping into a more demanding role. Netflix Tudum described Season 2 as exploring “how identities are not fixed,” and Gentry’s appearance is a visual manifestation of that theme.

Timeline

• July 30, 1999/2001: Ashby Gentry born (source discrepancy on year)
• 2023: My Life with the Walter Boys Season 1 released on Netflix
• December 2023: Netflix renewed the series for a second season (Wikipedia)
• 2024: Gentry filmed Season 2, including rodeo training and physical preparation
• August 28, 2025: Season 2 released; fans immediately noticed Gentry’s changed appearance (Wikipedia)
• 2025: Gentry gave multiple interviews addressing the transformation and character evolution

The pattern is clear: the timeline shows a deliberate, year-long process of physical preparation that culminated in a Season 2 release. The transformation was not a surprise to the production team — it was built into the story.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Ashby Gentry’s Instagram handle is @ashbygentry
• He uses he/him pronouns
• He plays Alex Walter in My Life with the Walter Boys
• He was born in Phoenix, Arizona
• Season 2 has 10 episodes (The Hollywood Reporter)
• Gentry switched from being “Team Alex” to the opposing team between seasons (PEOPLE)

What’s unclear

• Exact birth year (1999 vs 2001)
• Whether he had dental work
• Whether a stunt double was used
• Exact reason for all appearance changes

In his own words: Ashby Gentry on Season 2

Alex is the person willing to sacrifice what he has for those he cares about.

— Ashby Gentry, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter

I focused on self-care more than I did before. The season centers on a significant physical transformation, so I had to prepare for that.

— Ashby Gentry in an interview with Deadline

Viewers should stay tuned because the story is not finished at the end of Season 2.

— Ashby Gentry, quoted by Schön! Magazine

Season 2 is about self-discovery — for Jackie, Alex, and Cole.

— Ashby Gentry, as told to Netflix Tudum

Gentry’s own words reveal an actor who is reflective about his role and the choices that shaped it. The transformation was not a marketing gimmick — it was a response to what the story demanded. For fans who wondered whether Alex was still the same person, Gentry’s answer is clear: the character has grown, and so has the actor playing him.

Frequently asked questions