TORONTO — Toronto teen Madison Tevlin, who was born with Down syndrome, has captured hearts worldwide with her rendition of John Legend’s All of Me.
As a John Legend fan, Madison, 13, chose to sing the song because it reminded her of love and her family.
The video was produced last summer when Madison was still 12 with the help of her vocal coach Marla Joy, Toronto producer Jody Litvack and pianist Kibwe Thomas.
Madison was hesitant to make the video because she had a sinus infection on the recording date, but, like a true professional, she told her family, “I am going to go with the flow. A singer has to sing.”
On Jan. 20, the family uploaded the video to YouTube, along with a running script highlighting obstacles faced by people with Down syndrome, for their friends and family to appreciate.
“Madison is singing her heart out, defying all the stats,” Joy said.
The outpouring of support for Madison’s passionate performance exploded, with more than five million views and counting.
Its success was accelerated by a tweet from actor Ashton Kutcher: “Only a few people with Down syndrome are able to sing. Little Madison defies all odds with her new song. Down syndrome does not define a person.”
Madison wants everyone to know that Down syndrome does not define her.
“If I can do it, others can do it. I want others to see they can, too. If you love it, you do it,” she said.
“We’re glad that people are ‘seeing the ability’ of people with Down syndrome and that Madison has shared her talents and gifts with other people. She is quite the inspiration and a very talented person,” said Kaitlyn Pecson, design and communications manager at the Canadian Down Syndrome Society.
Madison has been enjoying music from an early age and singing all her life.
“I think the level of Madison’s speech and ability to express herself both vocally and physically with feeling has taken a lot of people by surprise and has truly done what Madison asked, which is to inspire and offer hope to people,” said her father, Matthew Tevlin.
Madison trains in the studio with her voice coach once a week for one hour.
“I have never seen a girl who loves to sing and loves music more in my life. She has really low muscle tone. It is hard for her to push it down and to keep it on one note, because it takes double the energy,” Joy said.
The family is receiving personal notes from people around the world, including Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Philippines and South America.
Madison’s 11-year old sister Zoie has also been supportive. With a shared love of music and dance, Zoie is responsible for setting up and running Madison’s social media page.
The budding star plans to continue singing and making videos.
“If there were more resources like Madison’s video, then maybe we can change the way people look at children with Down syndrome or any special needs,” said Madison’s mother, Grace Tevlin.