Having performed on many stages across her seattle eighteen year old Actress,singer,songwriter and author Cassidy Huff has most recently made her voice over debut on "DreamWorks's Netflix original "Spirit riding free: "Riding academy"
Voicing a disabled horse rider named Eleanor who she described as "very sassy, going on to say "she’s very competitive and motivated in everything she does."
And can come off a little bit rude sometimes, "but at the end of the day, she just wants what everyone else in this world wants. She wants true friendship and connection with others, which are things that all human beings crave!"
Cassidy hopes that after watching Eleanor is that "people with disabilities are just like everyone else. We can do everything everybody else
can do, we just have to accommodate some things sometimes!"
I was very pleasantly surprised when I first heard of how DreamWorks was adding a disabled character into the "Spirit riding free" world, even more so when I discovered how much research was put into the writing,drawing and correct.
It was nice to see noone question Elenor's disability and how they all knew her for being an amazing rider and thier first thoughts weren't her disability.
This is always great to see because it teaches people that there is more to a disabled person other than their disability,I also loved how DreamWorks's incorporated clicking noise for Eleanor's chair as she was riding it.
It's something so small but to me it just made it feel more realistic.
She also believes that if production companies are willing to put as much research into their disabled characters as DreamWorks did it "would not only open the door for more disabled roles, but it would make more opportunities available for disabled actors/performers." She also added that she was "very pleasantly surprised" when DreamWorks told her of all the research they had put into the writing of Eleanor"
I was very pleasantly surprised when I first heard of how DreamWorks was adding a disabled character into the "Spirit riding free" world even more so when I discovered how much research DreamWorks put into the writing,drawing and correct.
Whilst watching the episode it was nice to see how noone questioned Elenor's disability and how that they all knew her for being an amazing rider, her disability rightly wasn't an issue.
This is always great to see because it teaches people that there is more to a disabled person other than their disability,I loved how DreamWorks's incorporated a clicking noise for Eleanor's chair as she was riding it.
It's something so small but to me it just made it feel more realistic.
Another of Cassidy's works includes a best selling book she co~wrote called “Becoming An Exceptional Leader” alongside her friend Mai Ling Chan who wanted to tell the stories of those within the disability
community,trying to make the world a better place.
Although hesitant and not sure anyone would want to listen to a eighteen year old girl who had "no idea" of what she was doing. She agreed to help write a piece leaving her balancing auditions, attending high school, performing, training a service dog and preparing for graduation.
The book has been a massive success contributing to a "outpouring of
support" for those involved. Something Cassidy never expected and made the tiring months of writing worth it.
Looking into the future she hopes to continue her activism within the disability community by bringing awareness to the challenges faced.
Going on to say that she has confidence that the entertainment industry come to a point hit a where she and other disabled actors "can be recruited for roles that don’t have
the word “disabled” in the character description."
Working in a industry that says they are “accepting of all” and actually means it and actually means it and if questioned upon diversity or disability inclusion,will be able to answer and follow through.
Along with a longing to " see more disabled doctors, nurses, actors, singers,
engineers, real estate agents, in our world" and for the world to " get to the point where society
doesn’t think it’s “inspiring” for disabled people to be functioning members of society"
And would advise any productions wanting become more inclusive that shows should be "reflective of the world that we live in." Because if all you see in a movie "are characters who are Caucasian, straight, and able bodied, and then go out into the real
world and don’t see that exact image you just put into my head, of course I’m going to be supposed and a little bit prejudice to the people I didn't see in this image" and that
We’re all a little different, but at the end of the day we’re all the same in the
sense that we’re all just human beings trying to live our lives. So by putting people who
don’t necessarily “fit the societal mold” into your products, you’re actually changing the
way people see those of us who aren’t represented very often. You’ll also be helping to change the industry into a more inclusive and accepting place for all of us!"
Her advice for anyone with a disability wanting to peruse a career in entertainment would be that even though
"there will always be people in this world who tell you not to pursue your dreams. Prove
them wrong. There will always be people who turn you down. You will get a million
“no’s” before you hear your first resounding “yes”. So work hard, be kind to yourself, be
patient, remember that your “yes” is the one that’s meant for you, and it’s coming for
you, keep holding on, don’t just chase your dreams, catch them! And if no one has told you yet today I'm proud of you keep being you and go and change the world"
Cassidy's team for allowing this interview to take place and of course to Cassidy herself for taking so much time and care over my questions.
If you want to keep up with Cassidy and her work including her latest podcast "I'm not your inspiration" with a
youth-led radio station from Seattle, Washington! You can follow her
Instagram @cass_huff and theirs
@gzradio
