Jamie Brewer is best known to Australian audiences for her breakout role in the Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning TV series American Horror Story. In it, the 31-year-old actress from California plays Adelaide ‘Addie’ Langdon, the daughter of Jessica Lange’s terrifying Constance.
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But Jamie Brewer is not just another starlet out of the cookie-cutter Hollywood dream factory. Talented and tenacious, what makes Jamie’s success in a notoriously difficult industry even more incredible is that she has Down syndrome.
The in-demand actress has gone on to star in US series Raymond & Jane and Switched at Birth.
In 2015 Jamie was also the first model with Down syndrome to walk at New York Fashion Week.
“We’re on the back foot in terms of inclusion and diversity in film making in Australia,” says Genevieve Clay-Smith, founder of Bus Stop Films and the 2015 AWW Qantas Women of the Future competition winner. Genevieve is hoping that bringing Jamie to Australia to work on a Bus Stop project being made by 11 of her students will go a long way towards changing that.
“Jamie is a great source of inspiration,” says Genevieve, who’s not-for –profit Bus Stop Films teaches special needs students film-making. “We asked her to be in our film and meet the students and she agreed.”
Jamie (middle) in American Horror Story: Coven
Genevieve first met Jamie last year while in Los Angeles for a film festival, and knew straight away Jamie would be perfect for her dance film, Kill Off. Getting Jamie on board would also raise awareness about the hot-button issue of inclusiveness in film making.
During her stay, Jamie will be speaking about diversity and inclusiveness at Australian industry events. “We are getting important conversations started,” says Genevieve.
Genevieve is hopeful having a high-profile actress such as Jamie in a Bus Stop production will open doors for her company and her students on an international level. “We are setting our sights high,” the 27-year-old admits.
“Bus Stop’s films have screened at the UN. Hopefully we will get Kill Off into film festivals around the world, to show that people with disabilities get meaningful roles in front of the camera, as well as behind-the- scenes.”
The plan is for Kill Off to hit the big screen in September, and Genevieve is planning a gala premiere at a stand-out venue, complete with red carpet and a media wall.
“I can’t take all my students to Hollywood, but I can bring Hollywood to my students,” laughs Genevieve.
Could you be one of the next Women of The Future? Complete your entry for The Australian Women’s Weekly Qantas Women of the Future award now!
Entries for The Australian Women’s Weekly Qantas Women of the Future awards close at 5pm on May 31, 2016. The winners will be announced in Sydney on August 31, 2016.
WATCH: Jamie discusses her role in the hit show American Horror Story
