Check Out Jon-Lee “Jonni” Campbell’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon-Lee “Jonni” Campbell.

Hi Jon-Lee “Jonni,” so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always loved performing and the arts since I was very young. My first time on stage, I was not even 4 years old. I sang “Hey Good Lookin'” at a bluegrass festival and have been in love with the stage ever since. I was in choir all grade school and high school. My first theatrical role was in 6th grade and continued every year all through high school and college. In high school, I was the stage manager/student director, and in college, I earned a theatre scholarship and was assistant director of the theatre department as well as president of the theatre club; despite the fact, I became a paraplegic after a car accident the middle of my junior year of high school. After college, I started my own theatre company, LUNA.

LUNA stood for Love, Understanding, Nurturing, and Awareness, and we worked to raise awareness for various other nonprofits and issues through theatre. LUNA ended in the fall of 2018 because I faced severe surgeries and long hospital stays in 2019. While hospitalized, I had many months of bed rest to recover. I spent that time thinking about how I could take LUNA to another level. I started modeling in 2017 to help build my portfolio for acting. I wanted to do something that took all the networks it takes to do things in the entertainment industry and showcase them; this sparked Differently Abled Entertainment (DAE). DAE is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that aims to promote and encourage differently-abled artists in the entertainment industry by producing content featuring their talents. We hope to bring awareness, inclusion, and representation to people with seen and unseen disabilities and other marginalized groups and causes through the arts.

Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
As a disabled actress/model/director/producer, I have encountered numerous obstacles. Accessibility is an issue daily, both on the personal housing level and in the world. So many places are not wheelchair accessible. So that can hinder opportunities. Also, society’s view of people with disabilities is often that they cannot see past the chair, so they don’t see me as fit to play any acting roles that are not specifically written for someone in a chair. They don’t always see us as people who would have a job or a family. This is why more representation is so significant and needed. If you are a numbers person as I am, let me tell you that way. According to Google, 26% of adults in America are qualified as disabled. That doesn’t consider the many trying to get qualified, and I am still determining what that number would be. I have a feeling it would be at least an added 10%, but for the sake of correctness, I will stick with the fact that 26% of adults in America are disabled. Yet the disabled community is only represented in 1-2% of film and tv shows, and of that 1-2% of the time, 95% of the time are portrayed by non-disabled actors. This is a gross under/misrepresentation.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I have acted in 3 short films, 3 music videos, 2 commercials, 1 tv series, 4 feature films, and over 40 plays. As a model, I have been published over 20 times in various magazines, which included 1 cover, 2 back covers, and a 16-page center spread with the story. I have directed over 15 theatrical productions and helped produce music videos and films. I also have about 12,000 followers on social media. Professionally and personally, I’m proud to be Runner-Up for Ms. Wheelchair Arizona in 2017. I am considering running again because my platform on housing is still a valid cause. I’m known for being positive and friendly, but also willing to stand up for what I believe in and fight for those without a voice or power. Within DAE, I’m very proud that we keep our events low-cost or free to help make anyone’s dreams attainable. I know what it is like to live on a fixed income and not be able to afford the things I need to make my dreams a reality. We have helped over 40 models, actors, musicians, and comedians with their first publications and shows, which have taken many on to bigger and better opportunities and exposure.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My mom has always been a massive supporter of my dreams. Also, my kids’ dad, Gabe, but I know I would never be where I am today if it hadn’t been for my college theatre director, Pat Ennis, who was the first to see past my chair and tell me how talented I was, from a professional point of view. I’m blessed to have a fantastic team with me at DAE. We are all striving to make this organization the best it can be.

Pricing:

• $20 Group Shoot Events
• $50/hr Studio Rental
• Commercial Services Available – Price Varies on Need
• $30/hr MUA Services
• Graphic Art Services – Price Varies on Need

Contact Info:

• Website: ourDAE.org
• Instagram: instagram.com/differentlyabledentertainment
• Facebook: facebook.com/differentlyabledentertainment
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/differently-abled-entertainment-648b5a249
• Twitter: twitter.com/diffabledent

Image Credits
Differently Abled Entertainment