SeriesFest Season 9 Conversations: Madison Tevlin, Actor

Actor Madison Tevlin at SeriesFest. Photo by Bear Gutierrez for SeriesFest.

When SeriesFest announced they were doing a Panel about Actors with Disabilities in Hollywood, and how things needed to continue to change, I knew instantly I had to go and listen. While there, I got to speak with Canadian actor and Down Syndrome Advocate, Madison Tevlin. Not only is she active in front of the camera, but behind as well. Madison is a writer, aspiring director, and hosts her own show. She’s the epitome of positive vibes, keeping things real in an upbeat way. Her messages are about supporting one another and always taking the time to get to know someone before judging them. This profound actor was kind enough to sit with me and talk.
 
Shae: To have a panel like this is groundbreaking and it was amazing. For you, what was it like to be on that panel?
 
Madison: I like talking about positivity and diversity and inclusivity and making it in Hollywood. Just exploring our differences and celebrating them. Like I said, on the panel, I host my own show called “Who Do You Think I Am?”. And because of that show, it proves that everyone can do everything they put their minds to.
 
Shae: I love that. So, tell me more about your show.
 
Madison: It’s about people being people and who they really are. Taking things rather than at face value. So, when I made this show, I was working on other projects, and various other things. I didn't, I never really thought about talking about my experience, like my experience could be personally a hard topic to speak about. I wanted to prove people wrong. A lot of people are underestimated. They’re judged for being different, like me. People just want to be happy and have people get to know them. Be happy. Be kind. Be kind to everyone, you don’t know someone’s struggles. My show is about that.
 
Shae: Just treat everyone with love, I love that. So where it can we listen to your show?
 
Madison: Well, you can't really listen to it here, yet the platform is in Toronto. We're trying to pitch it so that other people can be able to watch it worldwide.
 
Shae:  Do you have more seasons of your show coming up?
 
Madison: I have no idea. We will do more of it if possible. I want to continue being in movies, like I am in Champions, and doing… everything. Like public speaking engagements, and all of my public speaking, and I want to be able to work behind the camera, not just in front of the camera. I’m actually writing a script for number two for Champions, and get everyone together for a sequel again. So, me and Mike and Matt, who are really good friends of mine who's in the movie with me, Matt plays Craig, and we're actually writing a script together right now and we're in the process.
 
Shae: If you weren't in front of the camera and you weren't writing, what other behind the scenes role would you like to fill?
 
Madison: I’d love to direct and put everything in place and tell everyone how they're supposed to be. I’d keep everything organized in the way it would be fun.
 
Shae: What matters most to you?
 
Madison: Believe in yourself. The more you believe in yourself, and the more you think about things, and being true to yourself, that's what matters to me.
 
Shae: I just love your positivity. It’s a breath of fresh air. Because not a lot of people are about the positive. They’re looking at the negative.
 
Madison: I’m never about the negative, always the positive. Like I’m always on that side, all of the time. It just keeps me going and keeps me doing what I love to do.
 
Shae: What got you into acting in the first place?
 
Madison: I was 13 years old when everything started for me, I was on the show called Mr. D, the Canadian show. And this was something I didn't know I was going to do. I did not know this was happening for me. But then when I got this movie part, I was like, “Okay, this is a done deal. I'm going to be an actor I know exactly what I’m going to do for the rest of my life.” Getting into the movies, changed my life. I dropped everything down as a normal kid in high school. And I dropped all that down to be in this movie. And it felt so good. Also, thinking about all the nine boys in this, and me as the only girl, and so I feel empowered. When people watch this movie. That's what I want them to take away from this, the powerful message that we're trying to share. And it's based on us and what we are made of as friends.
 
Shae: I love that your friends with them now and that you got to meet such wonderful people.
 
Madison: Like Woody Harrelson. Like I never thought I would know him. And like now he's like… he made me become a better actor. Like he really helped me and pushed me and gave me advice to be a better one. And being out there in the spotlight and sharing what I have to share with the world.
 
Shae: So, if you could give any advice to anyone going into this industry, especially anyone who is differently abled, what would it be?
 
Madison: Go for your dreams. Go for your dreams, go for your goals. And just believe in yourself. The more you believe in yourself the more opportunities will come to you. No matter what path you take.
 
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

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