Olivia defied all odds to dance her way to starring in a film
Olivia Hargroder was told she would not survive infancy. Now she stars in the lead role of the feature film Boss Cat.
Olivia was born with a heart condition doctors said was not compatible with life. Her mother chose to carry the pregnancy and give birth anyway, knowing she might have only days.
She's now 27. She is a skilled dancer and actor.
She studied at one of Australia's top drama schools, the National Institute of Dramatic Arts. When cast in the lead role of Boss Cat, Olivia played a character who can't dance well.
She had to use all her acting ability to pull it off. She is a genuinely talented dancer herself.
Her mother Kerry says Olivia's confidence and optimism lifted her above the low expectations many place on people with Down syndrome. Olivia has also spoken at the United Nations.
She had surgery to fix her knees so she could dance better. She dreams of performing on Broadway and dancing on tour with Taylor Swift.
- 27
- Age now
- Boss Cat
- Film lead role
- National Institute of Dramatic Arts
- Drama school
- Kerry Read
- Mother
Why it mattersHer story challenges the assumptions people make about disability. It shows what's possible with confidence, support, and determination.
AustraliaOlivia's success in Australian film and her work with Bus Stop Films, a disability-led production company based in Brisbane, shows the untapped talent in communities often left out of mainstream media.
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