Noah Matthews Matofsky : from dreams to reality in Hollywood and beyond
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I knew ever since I was little , I wanted to be a famous actor . I love being in the spotlight and always liked dressing up as different characters for World Book Day at school .
I had an agent because I did a bit of modelling . One day they called up to say Disney wanted me to audition for the role of Slightly in the new Peter Pan and Wendy film . I ' ll never forget the day because it ' s the day school closed for lockdown . We spent the next year making self-tapes until eventually they called to offer me the part . I was so excited ! I think I might have cried a bit too . It was a massive adventure especially because we hadn ' t even left our town for months and then we were travelling across the world to Neverland !
I ' m also doing my GCSEs I know it ' s kind of stressful but it ' ll be out of the way soon .
Congratulations on the success of the movie Peter and Wendy . What do you love most about being an actor ?
Thank you ! This was actually my first ever acting job !! All I had done before was a school play . You never know what is in the future !
What I like most is having fun with friends that are made through the experiences . I love to meet new people and I love to travel . I made great friends with the other Lost Boys . We mostly lived in the same apartment block in Vancouver with a pool on the roof so it was great fun at the end of a day filming . I loved Vancouver !
Were you welcomed as a person with a disability on set ?
I don ' t think I was treated differently to anyone else on set . I did have my own personal teaching assistant on set though like in my normal school . Shout out to Jesse ! Just because I have Down syndrome doesn ' t stop me from chasing my dreams . Whatever you want to do in life make it happen do what you want to do . Dreams to come true !
Who has been your support system throughout your journey ?
This is a quick answer ! My mum and dad helped me a lot . They helped me film the Selftapes and I love and respect them . My mum helps me learn my lines too . Thank you very much mum and dad . Also thank you to my sister who didn ' t mind when we had to split the family for six months to film Peter Pan and Wendy .
How does it feel knowing you are an inspiration and mentor to others with Down ' s syndrome and their families ?
It feels really good and I am honoured to be a patron of Down syndrome U . K . I was also honoured to be the keynote speaker at the National Down syndrome Congress in Florida last year in front of thousands of people . That was awesome . I have also done some motivational speaking in the U . K . I love it and don ' t get nervous at all . It ' s been amazing ! Even though I have Down syndrome , that doesn ' t mean I can ' t do anything in life . I can be an actor or a model . . . whatever I want I can make it happen . Don ' t let any problems hold you back . Last week I was invited to a reception at Downing Street ( where the prime minister lives )! Life is full of surprises and I love it .
What ' s next for you ?
I ' m now near the end of year 11 so I ’ ll leave school in two months .
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