We had the good fortune of connecting with Lily D Moore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lily D, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Well, I have always liked to entertain people …… singing songs, acting out poems or being in plays, so when the opportunity came for me to get into acting, professionally, I told my mom I wanted to go for it! I love playing different characters, love the wardrobe, love meeting people, and love traveling. And, I especially love showing the world that people with Down Syndrome can do whatever we want to do. We have dreams and can succeed!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I found my passion for acting at age 6 when we moved to Austria and I fell in love with the drama class. I was soon putting on shows in our garden and house for family and friends. Next, my mom began searching for an agent for me. She reached out to over 20 agencies and only one wanted to see me, and eventually signed me. I thought I had it in the bag…..instant stardom, instant success……but boy was I wrong! I discovered that I had to work hard and persevere when rejection happened over and over and over. Working hard meant to take classes to hone my skills. I loved learning how to play different characters, learning how things work on set, and how to behave when I’m working. I soon began to get auditions, but was not booking jobs. That was tough because I had to memorize a lot of lines and sometimes miss out on parties or school events to tape my audition, only to find out I didn’t get the job. I have been blessed to be part of so many projects, but I will only name a few I am known for : Rebecca on Netflix’s Never Have I Ever and Kendall on Hallmark’s Color My World with Love.projects and so many more! I have also enjoyed doing some modeling , projects like Summersalt swimwear, Lulu’s clothing, modeled for some famous photographers, been in British Vogue, and led the runway show in LA Fashion week.
I love using my platform to advocate for people with disabilities and to show others our capabilities. I have given many speeches all over the world to be the voice for others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So many fun places! Start with breakfast and go to The Flying Biscuit, you will not be disappointed!
Then, we would go to Ponce City Market to shop and people watch.
Have to go to walk around the Oakland Cemetery , sounds weird, but trust me, it is beautiful and many famous people have been buried there.
Lunch, hit up Mary Mac’s Tea Room for true Southern comfort food. The mac and cheese, fried chicken, well, not a bad item on the menu!
Next, the Georgia Aquarium , World, of Coke, and the Sky View Ferris wheel in Atlanta.
Dinner, The Vortex for a hamburger.
For the rest of the week we would visit the King Center, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, go to The Fox Theatre, and Stone Mountain.
Eat at South City Kitchen, Bonefish Grill, head back to Pace City for and of the restaurants.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My grandmother, Rose, always told me I could do whatever I wanted to do and has supported me until the day she died. Also, Jesus…He supports me and loves me 24/7!

Website: http://www.lilydmoore.com

Instagram: @lilydmooreofficial

Facebook: Lily D Moore

Image Credits
Hallmark Media, Thomas Dodd, Elizaveta

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