Outfit by Hervé Léger at Neiman Marcus Roosevelt Field

Jessica Frew, a model, actress, and disability advocate, was born with cerebral palsy and has been using an eye gaze application to communicate since the age of 9. She has modeled for NYFW through Runway of Dreams and has acted in Surviving the Cartel. She also has a podcast, “Through the Eyes of Jessica,” on YouTube, where she navigates her daily life, growing up, and building herself. Frew continues her advocacy through social media, and through publications such as “AwareNow.”

**Left:**
Boots by Christian Louboutin
Outfit by Hervé Léger at Neiman Marcus Roosevelt Field
**Right:**
Earrings by Alexis Bittar
Sleeveless Polo Dress by Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive Collection
White Shirt by In Earnest Official
Shoes by Model’s own

What have you currently been working on and what really excites you about it?
I’m currently working on pitching two projects, a feature film and a series pilot that my co-writer and I wrote. The film “Truly Yours” is about A star college quarterback who is hiding from his own personal trauma. He falls in love with a precocious student with cerebral palsy. The series is about A newlywed inter-abled couple, who move across the country to start a new life, when the disabled bride’s dark past catches up with her. If the projects get picked up, it will change people's view on people with Cerebral Palsy and all types of disabilities.

How do you choose your modeling and acting role? What goes behind the process?
My agencies, KMR Talent and Gamut Management, choose most of my modeling and acting roles, but I get some of my own roles. It’s a long thesis process; the casting director has to select one person who best fits the part out of so many that audition. Actors shouldn’t take an audition personally, they should look at it as if they get the role great, but not oh well, they have another opportunity in the future. That is how I look at it.

**Left:**
Earrings by Alexis Bittar
Sleeveless Polo Dress by Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive Collection
White dress by In Earnest Official
Shoes by Model’s own
**Right:**
Bra by Natori at Neiman Marcus Roosevelt Field
Curduroy Mini Skirt by Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive Collection

What has been the most memorable part of working with Runway of Dreams?
The Runway Of Dreams has given me the confidence to have a voice because, when I was growing up, I always felt like I wasn't good enough at anything, and people treated me differently than everyone else. So, I didn’t make friends without a disability when I was growing up; it was only my best friend who had a disability through high school and me. I didn't talk to anyone with my computer. I just used it for schoolwork. Also, my father passed away from cancer when I was 14, and that was the lowest point of my life because I was broken and so lost. For example, I didn't care if I lived or died; I didn't want to take a shower, I cut all my hair off. I thought his death was my fault, I should have been a better daughter and saved him. I was stuck in my mind with all the negative thoughts. I completely shut down from anyone around me and completely stopped communicating with my eye gaze computer, even to my best friend. A few years after my father passed, my mother went to a medium, and I talked to my father again. I know he was pain-free and happy where he is now. That put my mind at peace with everything, which made me start to communicate with my eye gaze computer. But that was not enough to make me feel confident in myself to start using my computer to speak in public, until I found the Runway of Dreams and gamut management. I remember when I was on the gamut network and Mindy said I’m going on the virtual runway for 2020 New York City’s fashion week and gave the opportunity again next year (2021) in person, which had finally given me the confidence to communicate with my eye gaze computer in public and look where I am today.

**Left:**
Bra by Natori at Neiman Marcus Roosevelt Field
Curduroy Mini Skirt by Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive Collection
**Right:**
Dress by Mimi Plange
Blouse Vince at Neiman Marcus Roosevelt Field
Necklace by Alexis Bittar
Shoes by Model’s Own

Are there certain designers or brands you would really like to work with? What draws you to them?
I would say Victoria Secret, Ulta Beauty, Tommy Hilfiger, Gucci, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, American Eagle Outfitters, L’Oreal, and Covergirl. I’m drawn to their uniqueness and diversity culture; they just have a spick to them. Some of the brands never had a nonverbal disabled model, I want to be the first disabled nonverbal model for those brands to open their eyes to inclusion and diversity and to create opportunities for disabled models.

How would you describe your personal style at the moment? What pieces do you gravitate towards?
My personal style is unique because sometimes I love to get dressed to the “9s.”Other times I might wear sports bras and leggings. I normally gravitate towards more sexy, luxurious pieces.

You have had a guest role in “Surviving the Cartel.” How was the experience of being on set and getting yourself into the role?
The experience was absolutely amazing While I was filming “Surviving the Cartel,” the first time being on a set truly felt like I was home and I realized this is what I was born to do. I felt the character just came naturally out of me like I transformed myself into the character in that moment, and I felt so confident about myself in front of the camera. Originally I auditioned for a different character who is not disabled. A few days after the producers contacted me to tell me, sadly, I didn't get that role, but that they would love to have me in this project and they would add a new character to the script for me, so that is how I got the role.

What are some roles you would like to take up in future?
I would like to get lead or supporting roles and characters who are unstoppable through the challenges they face in life because people automatically generalize about disabled nonverbal people with a server cognitive neurological disability; in other words, they think we are just looking into space, don’t understand everything which in some cases that might true, but every disabled nonverbal is different so we need educate our audience on camera not to judge a book automatically by its cover. Go talk to that nonverbal person and look them in the eyes to see if you get any reaction.

How would you like to further your podcast, “Through the Eyes of Jessica Frew?” What are some things you would like to explore with it?
Unfortunately, I had to end the “Through the Eyes of Jessica Frew” podcast to start my talk show, “The Jesse Show,” which is executive interview series, I will have conversations with professionals in the entertainment and fashion industries whom I love. These interviews will raise awareness. I’ll open opportunities for other nonverbal models and actors with communication devices and for all who haven’t been given the chance they deserve to be seen and heard.

Where do you see yourself within the entertainment and fashion industry in the next few years? What do you hope to develop?
I see myself refilling my purpose, which is to make a difference in this industry for people with disabilities and open opportunities for other nonverbal models and actors with communication devices in the next years. I hope to develop more confidence in myself and network.

Social Media.
Facebook: Jessica.frew.31
Instagram: @jess_eilz_frew

Website: www.jessicafrew.com

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Talent: Jessica Frew
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon
Hair: Niko Weddle at Judy Casey
Makeup: Deney Adam at Blonde & Co
Fashion Stylist Intern: Sienna Ropert, Nichole Masterson
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Sahana Srinivasan, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Studio: Go Studios