How Madison Tevlin Redefines Disability in Media and Hollywood ~ 1308

Madison Tevlin

Just hire me because I’m Madison Tevlin and not me just having a disability. I always say that I have Down syndrome, but it’s the least interesting thing about me, and I think it just clicked after I did my YouTube video of All Me by John Legend. I feed off people’s energies and connections really quickly. That’s just who I am.

Tim Villegas

Hey friends. Welcome back to Think Inclusive: Real Conversations about building schools where every learner belongs. I’m your host, Tim Villegas. Today’s episode is about what it means to be seen for who you are, not just your diagnosis. It’s about advocacy, authenticity, and the power of representation in media. This week I’m joined by actor, advocate, and podcaster Madison Tevlin. You may know Madison from her breakout role in Champions or from her viral YouTube performances, but today we go deeper into her journey as a performer, her experiences on inclusive film sets, and why she believes representation in media should go beyond disability.

Madison shares how music helps her recharge on the set, what it means to play a character that reflects her in real life, and why her new podcast 21 Questions is more than just interviews. It’s a celebration of identity, energy, and connection. Before we meet our guest, I want to tell you about our sponsor.

This episode is brought to you by IXL. IXL is an all-in-one platform for K-12 that helps boost student achievement, empowers teachers, and tracks progress in one place. As students practice, IXL adapts to their individual needs so that every learner gets just-right support and challenge, and each student gets a personalized learning plan to close gaps. Check it out at ixl.com/inclusive. Again, that’s ixl.com/inclusive. All right, after a quick break, it’s time to think inclusive with Madison Tevlin. Catch you on the other side.

Tim Villegas

Madison Tevlin, welcome to the Think Inclusive Podcast.

Madison Tevlin

Thank you so much for having me. I’m so ready to have this perfect conversation with you.

Tim Villegas

Yeah. Well, I love your background. Where are you right now?

Madison Tevlin

I’m actually at home in my basement. I call it the cave, my girl cave. But I gotta be down here just to relax and do my things and stuff.

Tim Villegas

I wish I had—I want a man cave. I love that. I’m just in my bedroom. I’ve got this little room divider from Ikea. So this is about as fancy as I get. But thank you so much for being here, Madison. I’ve enjoyed seeing all of your social media and even watching you in the movie Champions. You’re a fantastic presence on the screen. Thank you so much for being here and your advocacy. I have a question for you, and something I’ve heard you say is that the least interesting thing about you is that you have Down syndrome. When did that line first click for you and how does it guide what you say yes or no to in your work?

Madison Tevlin

I always say that I have syndrome, but it’s the least interesting thing about me, and I think it just clicked after I did my YouTube video of All Me by John Legend. I think I was 13 years old at that time, and it has stuck with me to this day. So how it guides me through everything that I do is that it just helps me to stand up for myself, for my community, and what I believe in.

Tim Villegas

How long have you been making the YouTube videos? You said 13.

Madison Tevlin

I was 13 years old when I first did my first YouTube video. Then it took me to where I am today.

Tim Villegas

Wow. When I was a teacher in a public school, probably eight years ago, my students would say that they wanted to grow up to be a YouTube star. I thought they were being ridiculous, but look. Look what you did.

Madison Tevlin

I’m so happy I have. I’m gonna have done it. And it grew me in so many different ways and I learned so much from it.

Tim Villegas

That’s so cool. Okay, so you are in a new film, and it’s in Canada, right? Saskatchewan?

Madison Tevlin

It’s called Love Every Day that I was filming and I had a really perfect experience.

Tim Villegas

So what drew you to that story?

Madison Tevlin

When I looked at the script, Lucas did a very good job. He’s the director of this film and I have been on a couple calls with him before. So I got some input and talked about the script and what things would come up naturally. For me, things that I would say, and I thought this is really made for me. That’s what drew me to this script and why I really wanted this movie with him.

Tim Villegas

And then what about the character? What were you asking for to make sure the character felt like it was not just a stereotype?

Madison Tevlin

I felt it was more like me because I felt like the role of Emma was basically based off of me and experiencing life experiences and what girls and everything go through. That’s what I thought of me and Emma and I got to convey that in a movie.

Tim Villegas

Yeah. And you don’t have to pretend like you’re being someone else, right? You just get to be yourself.

Madison Tevlin

Yeah.

Tim Villegas

That’s so cool. You’ve hosted big red carpets and interviewed A-listers. What have you learned about asking good questions, and how does that go into acting and advocacy?

Madison Tevlin

I think it just comes naturally to me because I’m a natural born talker and I ask a lot of questions. Whenever I’m in the room, I just talk because that’s what I love to do. I think it just helps me in ways throughout my work, asking good questions. When I think about them and when I say it, I know it’s a good question and I always feel so good.

Tim Villegas

So have you always been kind of a talker?

Madison Tevlin

Yes, my whole life I just always talk. I’m a girl that likes to know everything that’s going on with people, and I feed off people’s energies and connections really quickly. That’s just who I am.

Tim Villegas

Oh my gosh. You sound a lot like my daughter because she will talk constantly. And I love you, sweetie, because she listens to and watches the podcast, so she’ll be interested in this conversation. But sometimes we’ll be walking the dog or walking around town, and she will just not stop talking to me and I’ll have to be like—

Madison Tevlin

My dad too. Just not talk for one minute.

Tim Villegas

Well, sometimes I want to ask a question, but I can’t even ask a question.

Madison Tevlin

I know. Because the next person’s talking.

Tim Villegas

Oh my goodness. That’s wonderful. So I want to talk about inclusion on movie sets. What are the basic things that you feel need to happen on a movie set to make you feel included?

Madison Tevlin

When I was filming this movie, One Perfect Date, they made sure that I was comfortable and always being the best actor that I could be while making this movie. So I asked them when I needed the space and they gave me that moment to relax and decompress for that minute to be like, okay, I’m gonna do the thing I have to do, get back onto it again and make sure that I’m always doing good.

Tim Villegas

You mentioned needing space, so what—

Madison Tevlin

Maybe not time for myself.

Tim Villegas

Yeah, like, so what helps you feel comfortable?

Madison Tevlin

For me, it’s all about the music. When I listen to my music, it always brings me back in a better head space, and I just feel like everything is weighted off of me and it just feels so good. When I listen to my music, I get to relax and have all the best food and drinks and everything all around me. That’s when I am the happiest and when I’m by myself and having all the people that I love around me. So when I have that and when I’m on set and they let me have that time, that makes me feel the most comfortable to get back at it again and work extra harder.

Tim Villegas

And then do you wear headphones?

Madison Tevlin

Yes, I do.

Tim Villegas

That’s awesome. Or sometimes—

Madison Tevlin

Or sometimes I can get out of the way, so if I don’t have them on me right away, I can just listen to my music, put my phone on my ear and just listen to it, get myself back into it again and feeling that energy. Then I’m like, okay, let’s do this. I’m ready to work again.

Tim Villegas

What do you listen to? Can I ask you that?

Madison Tevlin

Yes, so I listen to a lot of music, a variety of everything, but I’m a big country girly, so I’m listening to country music. I love Shania Twain, I love Teddy Swims. If Teddy Swims is listening to this podcast, I’m hoping that I can get you on mine called 21 Questions because I just love him a lot. I love all music, but I also love all the pop and other different artists.

Tim Villegas

Awesome. Very good. I like Teddy Swims. I’m not really much of a country person, but just songs here and there. Actually, there is a country artist that I do like—Kacey Musgraves. Do you like—

Madison Tevlin

I love Blake Shelton.

Tim Villegas

Blake Shelton. Okay. All right. So there’s a little bit of crossover there. I’m more of a rock and roll guy, but that’s fine. I’m happy that that makes you happy. I want to talk about how movie studios can hire more actors with disabilities to play regular roles, not just because they’re disabled. What do you think about that? Did you have something to say?

Madison Tevlin

I did.

Tim Villegas

Okay, go ahead.

Madison Tevlin

Just hire me because I’m Madison Tevlin and not me just having a disability.

Tim Villegas

Right, exactly.

Madison Tevlin

And I don’t think people should care if we—even if we have disabilities, it doesn’t matter. We could all be in this together.

Tim Villegas

Right. I want to know what you think about this because when I watch a movie and I see somebody in a wheelchair, and they’re just a character. They’re not like the character in the wheelchair, and that is such a huge part of them, like quote unquote, overcoming this disability or people feeling sad or sorry for them—it’s just they’re just living their lives.

Madison Tevlin

Living the life just the way they want it to be like. And I totally agree.

Tim Villegas

Exactly. So do you want more roles like that, right?

Madison Tevlin

I definitely want more roles like that. People see me as me and not just my disability. Even though I have it, it’s not physically what you see. I don’t want to be judged for the way I look, and that’s what my show is all about as well.

Tim Villegas

After the break, Madison shares what inclusion really looks like on movie sets, in classrooms, and in relationships. We will hear how she advocates for inclusive classrooms, why her first film changed everything, and what it means to fall in love without judgment.

This show is produced by the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education, MCIE. MCIE partners with educators and school systems to promote authentic inclusion, foster change, and support the implementation of inclusive practices, whether it’s district-wide transformation, customized learner planning, or professional learning and coaching. MCIE walks alongside educators every step of the way. And here’s the best part. Our work begins with the conversation. So if you’re ready to create schools where every learner belongs, visit mcie.org to get in touch and start that conversation today.

Tell me about your show.

Madison Tevlin

So my podcast is called 21 Questions. I could play 20, but because I have Down syndrome and the duplicate of the 21st chromosome, it was a spin-off to that. So I get to talk to amazing people that are all my icons, like Nelly Furtado, Woody Harrelson, Nicole Scherzinger, Mae Martin, Kameron Saunders, and Paris Hilton. Executive producer of 21 Questions now, but I’m also going to interview her. So it’s very exciting. It’s going to be launching very soon, middle of September, hopefully.

Tim Villegas

Not even out yet?

Madison Tevlin

No, not even out yet, but I’m doing a lot for it right now.

Tim Villegas

Okay, very cool. Oh my gosh, that’s amazing.

Madison Tevlin

We’re only in LA, Newark, and Toronto, and Fairmont Hotel is the sponsor of our show.

Tim Villegas

That’s great. I love that. You mentioned Woody Harrelson. We actually wanted to get Woody on to talk about his experience working with you and Champions and stuff like that. And I don’t think we ever figured out how to connect with him. So if you could connect us with Woody, that’d be awesome.

Madison Tevlin

And that—

Tim Villegas

Would—

Madison Tevlin

Really, when you get to meet him, he is really down to earth and you talk to him and you just feel so comfortable because I’ve also done a movie with him. So it was a lot easier for us to connect that way. I loved how our banter going back and forth and everything with him was just so cute. I had so much fun working with him on Champions.

Tim Villegas

That’s so cool. So you’re a podcaster.

Madison Tevlin

I’m a podcaster. I’m a podcast, and I love every single minute of it.

Tim Villegas

That’s amazing. That’s so cool. I love that. Well, you are just this star online. You post about work and fashion, humor and advocacy. How do you decide what to share on all of your channels?

Madison Tevlin

The way I decide is the way I want to express myself and show myself to the world. The videos that I like to see in myself are my personality, things that people want to watch and have grab attention, positivity, and bringing out everything in me that people can see. That’s what I love about it.

Tim Villegas

Yeah. What’s the biggest thing you want people to know about you? If it’s not Down syndrome, because we already talked about that, like that’s the least interesting thing. So what’s the most interesting thing about you?

Madison Tevlin

I actually love this question. People ask me the most, and the thing about me is I think it’s my personality and the way that I connect with people and their energies when I pick up anyone in one room. I think that’s my biggest icon thing about me—feeding people’s energies and reading the room, and that’s what I’m really good at.

Tim Villegas

Yeah, I can see that. Definitely. I bet you virtual interviews are fine, but in-person interviews are really magical.

Madison Tevlin

Yeah.

Tim Villegas

Are the interviews you’re doing for your podcast virtual or in person?

Madison Tevlin

So it’s a video and audio podcast. I get to see everybody that I’m working with.

Tim Villegas

That’s great. That’s awesome.

Madison Tevlin

I go to them wherever they are, I go to them.

Tim Villegas

So it is in person and you’re in the same room with them.

Madison Tevlin

If they’re in Toronto, New York, or LA, those are the three best places to be in. I live in Toronto and I’m always in LA and New York.

Tim Villegas

That’s great. You know, I’m from LA, I’m from Pasadena, actually.

Madison Tevlin

Oh, fun.

Tim Villegas

I have a lot of friends that live in Cali.

Madison Tevlin

Yeah.

Tim Villegas

Cali’s great. I live in Georgia now even though I work for a nonprofit in Maryland, so it gets a little confusing. But anyways, there are a lot of teachers and principals that listen and watch Think Inclusive. Do you have any advice for them about inclusion or including students?

Madison Tevlin

To be more open-minded and to give them integrated classrooms and not just be with people with disabilities that will understand you and get you in everything right away. Get out of that and just be more aware of bringing everybody together. Because I went through that too. In high school I was with the people with disabilities, but I was integrating so many classrooms to where I wanted to be today. I’d want other people to be the same way as me as well, to continue what they want to do for themselves.

Tim Villegas

Did you feel like you had a pretty good school experience?

Madison Tevlin

I loved my high school experience. If I had to go back, I would, because it was so much fun. It was just so much fun and I got to learn so much.

Tim Villegas

And like you said, you got to be with your peers. You got to go into classrooms that you wanted. Sometimes classrooms are not available to students with disabilities.

Madison Tevlin

Right. But you also get the basketball world. You get to be with them, but then you get to be with other people that want to make you want to be better for yourself too.

Tim Villegas

Right. And you always knew you wanted to be in movies and TV.

Madison Tevlin

I actually didn’t. I never thought I wanted to be in a movie, nothing like that when I was younger. But when I got the movie Prime Champions, everything changed for me. I really loved this new path and era for myself. I knew that I wanted to do this more.

Tim Villegas

Was that your first film?

Madison Tevlin

That was my first ever movie, and now being a lead in this movie that I’m filming now, it was like falling back into place again. It was like Champions all over again, but me being the lead of it and it was so fun to be part of that.

Tim Villegas

Can we talk about the new film? The premise of the movie is two people going on a date, right?

Madison Tevlin

Right. But also experiencing life in different ways than myself.

Tim Villegas

I think a lot of people have a hard time imagining two people with Down syndrome falling in love. What do you want people to know about people with Down syndrome and falling in love? Why do you think it’s seen as a weird thing by some people, even though it shouldn’t be?

Madison Tevlin

For me, it’s totally normal. I’m actually dating someone who does have a disability and totally understands me and gets me. I just feel like people should fall in love and find those things that people want, and that’s what I like. I’m actually in love and I want other people to be able to fall in love in their own ways too. I found the boy of my dreams and I couldn’t be any happier.

Tim Villegas

I know that some people have a hard time imagining two people with Down syndrome falling in love, but what do you think about two people with disabilities that happen to have Down syndrome falling in love? That shouldn’t be a weird thing, right?

Madison Tevlin

Not at all. I don’t think it’s a weird thing at all. I actually found the boy of my dreams and I feel like there’s also a show called Love on the Spectrum where people actually fall in love and date and everything, and it’s good for them that they’ve found the love of their lives. I’m doing the same thing for myself too. My boy lives in California and that’s why I’m always there.

Tim Villegas

That’s right. Always there in California. California is a beautiful place, but having a special person there, that’s always good too.

Madison Tevlin

And then you always know when you go back there, you’re going to see the person you love.

Tim Villegas

Exactly. And I think that movies like One Perfect Date and other TV shows help normalize the fact that anyone can fall in love.

Madison Tevlin

Anyone can fall one day.

Tim Villegas

Exactly. Anyone can fall in love. It’s a totally normal thing. It’s part of the human experience and so that’s awesome. I love that. Where can people follow your work? I know you’re on social media, but is there any place that somebody listening or watching can go to learn more about Madison?

Madison Tevlin

You can go follow me on Instagram and TikTok. Those are my two biggest platforms. Just type in Madison Tevlin and you’ll find me.

Tim Villegas

You just Google your name and it’s like, boom, you’re there.

Madison Tevlin

Yeah, and that’s it.

Tim Villegas

We’ve talked about Madison’s journey as a performer and advocate, her passion for inclusive classrooms, and how she’s redefining what love and representation looks like on the screen. Now it’s time for the mystery question.

So Madison, I have a 13-year-old daughter and she loves TV and movies. In fact, she actually saw Champions with me and thought it was hilarious, and she was so excited that I was interviewing you. So she wrote a question for us to answer at the end of our interview. Here it is. Are you ready?

Madison Tevlin

I’m ready to do it.

Tim Villegas

Okay, here we go. The question is, it’s called the mystery question: If you could meet a famous artist, dead or alive, who would it be?

Madison Tevlin

This is a very good question. I actually don’t know. Do you want me to—

Tim Villegas

Do you want me to go first?

Madison Tevlin

Yeah, you go first and I’ll go after and then I can think about it.

Tim Villegas

Okay. Well now I have to think about it. Famous artist, dead or alive. It could be anything. I really like music, so I was thinking about music. Oh, you know, I’m going to go with this. I used to play piano and guitar and stuff like that. But I grew up with piano lessons. I would love to have met Beethoven, right, when he was—

Madison Tevlin

Okay, originally—

Tim Villegas

Composing all of his music. Actually, Beethoven at the end of his music career became deaf, so he had a disability. I think that would be really cool to meet Beethoven. That’s what I’m going with.

Madison Tevlin

I think it would be very cool if I could meet Teddy Swims because I would just go wild and crazy. When I meet him, I’m going to give the biggest hug in the world and have him sing a song with me.

Tim Villegas

Oh, okay. I like that. When are you going to get Teddy Swims on your podcast then?

Madison Tevlin

We’re trying. Let’s cross all of our fingers.

Tim Villegas

You’ve got all these A-listers, so that should not be a problem.

Madison Tevlin

True. I just want to meet him really, really bad and my mom and I are obsessed with him. We both love him so much. We could live with music all day, every day in the house. We blast it in the car and have the best dance parties in the car together.

Tim Villegas

Well, if that’s not a reason for Teddy Swims to be on your podcast, then I don’t know what is. Madison Tevlin, thank you so much for spending time with me on the Think Inclusive Podcast. We really appreciate your time. I cannot wait for 21 Questions.

Madison Tevlin

Thank you so much.

Tim Villegas

That was Madison Tevlin. Here is what I’m taking with me. Madison reminds me that the most powerful kind of representation is being seen for who you truly are, not just your diagnosis.

Here’s one practical step for educators: Encourage students to share their stories, interests, and goals through creative projects. These could be videos, podcasts, or classroom presentations. Madison’s journey began with a YouTube video at age 13, and she credits that moment with helping her stand up for herself and her community.

Share this episode with a colleague who’s building inclusive schools. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and follow Think Inclusive wherever you get your podcasts. Shout out to all of my fellow podcasters in the Podcasserole Network. We exist to amplify inclusive education innovation through collaborative podcasting that centers equity, accessibility, and authentic storytelling.

You’ll be sure to get your fill of fantastic stories and conversations in these podcasts, and here are just a few of the names that you’ll want to add to your queue: An Imperfect Leader, the Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, Senia Happy Hour podcast, Literacy Matters, Empowered Conversations, What School Could Be, Navigate Ed, and Getting Smart.

Do you have a podcast that you’d like to share with us? You can always email me at tvillegas@mcie.org. Now, time for the credits. Think Inclusive is brought to you by me, Tim Villegas. I write, edit, mix, master—I basically wear all the podcast hats and the baseball caps. This show is a proud production of the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education, scheduling and extra production help from Jill Wagoner. Our original music is by Miles Reich, with extra vibes from Melody. Big thanks to our sponsor, IXL. Visit ixl.com/inclusive.

Fun fact: During the planning for this season, we wanted to reach out to Woody Harrelson, Madison Tevlin’s co-star in Champions, to be a guest on Think Inclusive. Here’s a quote from Woody Harrelson about working with disabled actors on the set of Champions: “I haven’t had much experience with people with disabilities, so I didn’t know what to expect, and I’ve got to say it was probably the most enjoyable experience I ever had making a movie.”

He also shared that he bonded very quickly with the cast, saying, “These guys are so cool, so funny, so honest. Their kindness and warmth—within a couple of hours, I was hook, line and sinker, a part of them.” That was from an interview on Fox News. I’ll link that in the show notes. So listen, if anyone knows Woody, we’d love to have him on and dig a little bit deeper into his experience.

Anybody out there have a connection for us? I’d love to know about it. Email me at tvillegas@mcie.org. I read every single message. If you’ve made it this far, you’re officially part of the Think Inclusive Inclusion Crew. Want to help us keep moving the needle for inclusion? Head to mcie.org and click the donate button. Give five, ten, twenty dollars. It helps us keep partnering with schools and districts to move inclusive practices forward and support educators doing the work. Find us on the socials almost everywhere at Think Inclusive. Thanks for hanging out and remember, inclusion always works.