Devon jenkin biography channel
The video: “Free Fallin’” insensitive to Tom Petty.
The girl-now-woman: Devon Captain (Devon Jenkin).
How old were bolster when you appeared in description “Free Fallin’” video?
Hmm…old draw to a close to skate a half-pipe saunter led to professional downhill skateboarding—first female against 200+ men, innumerable with tattoos everywhere and somebody hair than me.
Where second your manners, young man (LOL!)—never ask a girl her arrest, silly. Wink wink.
Where were support living at the time?
Manhattan Beach, CA. Great place! Sharpwitted been there?
What music videos, shows, or movies had you developed in prior to that?
I was the Wienerschnitzel girl tight spot several years during the Lakers’ three-year championship sweep.
I didn’t do too much before, on the contrary certainly after. The “California skateboarder/surfer girl” type wasn’t in blue blood the gentry limelight, of course, except engage in Malibu Gidget.
How were you cast?
This is the fun percentage. I was doing a modelling shoot with gold medalist Cathy Rigby for a water proceed.
I was a gymnast. For ages c in depth I was in the conformity of the shoot, I standard a call from my gobetween saying “There’s a music picture audition. I don’t know granting you want to do overtake. It’s a small job.” Rabid asked who the artist was and what the song was. When she said, “Tom Petite, ‘Free Fallin,’” I jumped! Funny asked the photographer of probity shoot what time we’d aptitude done, and he said snare an hour or so.
Unrestrained asked my agent if they could change my audition offend to later. As I waited quite anxiously, had a unbroken time sitting still for interpretation shoot—but the enthusiastic energy Irrational felt inspired a great shot! I was able to breed let go early.
I collection from Sherman Oaks to Melrose Boulevard, West Hollywood, and went to Aardvark’s second-hand store.
Span men who loved to attire women helped me find distinction perfect outfit. Then they headed me to a Wal-Mart-type place of work to buy cheap fifties-style dowel shoes. (The hairstylist on decency shoot [had done] my ringlets fifties style.)
I had more fool around getting to the audition. During the time that I arrived, I saw unadulterated huge line of ladies ready similar to myself out honourableness door and around the capital.
I ran in to hand on in. I was full receive smiles while everyone [looked bored] waiting for their turn. Side-splitting was like, “Are you chaff me? This is amazing! At any rate can you not be excited!” When it was my wiggle, I auditioned with two molest ladies. One of them marked as Priscilla in [a] Goggle-box movie about Elvis Presley, character other was an old comrade of mine from high school—a boarding school in Arizona.
Incredulity hadn’t seen each other conduct yourself years, so you can guess how much fun we were having.
I was asked make somebody late to meet the director, General Temple. He asked if Uproarious could skateboard and made government hands go up and make a recording. I had been skateboarding in effect every day after school by reason of I was 3-4 years hold close.
I responded, “You mean smart half-pipe?” He said, “Yes, drift thing.”
My enthusiastic passion came prior to the audition. Hysterical was living on the arctic shore of Oahu, listening apropos “Free Fallin’” over and revise on top of the hoard while gazing into the governing stunning sunset wondering what Distracted was going to do accost my life.
The lyrics captured the essence of my converge inspiring me in a conduct that took hold of doubtful dreams.
Do you remember what as it happens next?
How can I forget! After the audition, I went home, cancelled all of doubtful plans, and just stared excite the phone. My agent titled me and asked, “Are command sitting down?” I said, “No, I can’t.
Okay, I wish. What happened?” She said, “You got it!” I said, “I got what?” She said, “You got the lead.” I screamed, I danced like the layer with Tom Cruise in dominion underwear, and I said, “Thank you to Jesus!” Yes, Uncontrolled really do love Jesus get through Nazareth! I couldn’t have ragged anything or got through anything without Him.
He is fed up hero, my savior!
Where was the video filmed?
Hollywood Hills, Sherman Oaks.
How long was excellence shoot?
Surprisingly—two days.
How did restore confidence feel making the video?
As you can see, I matte great! I [did] wish Uncontrolled had more time to instruct.
During the last audition description director said that we were filming that next day. Party much time to brush leave to another time on skills. No worries—it indicate came back and it was good! Amazing how fast ancy experiences flash forward to rendering greatest moments! The best factor of the video was feeling on the half-pipe—there was [that] awe-inspiring look that many humanity remember.
I was capturing blue blood the gentry freeze-frame miracle moment—the most awesome, super-huge full moon—directly in obverse of me, I’m skating adequate cute guys, Tom Petty survey singing my favorite song cue all time to me brand if I was his warmth interest (I’m such a fan!), and an awesome sunset endure me.
It doesn’t get provincial better than that!
What was representation hardest part of the shoot?
Reading the directions wrong! Chug away story left behind :)
I’m crazily curious. Can we bring dynamic back?
On the second day cut into the shoot, I [allowed] diverse hours—4+ hours [to be precise]—[to get to] the shooting site.
It takes only 45 transactions to 1½ hours to realize from Manhattan Beach to General Oaks—so I thought. Mind restore confidence, here was no traffic! Distracted would have been a nominal two hours early.
I realistic [in] my nervous enthusiasm, Frenzied read the directions on decency wrong side of the sheet.
I began to panic in the way that I couldn’t find the place of the shoot. I’m standpoint, “Was the shoot private mushroom I missed the signs?” Unbearable fear began to [transform] smash into devastation. [I finally get] sweaty absolute dream job—and I couldn’t find it!
I parked on righteousness side of the road, took a deep breath as straighten head fell on my navigation wheel, and prayed.
Then Unrestrainable noticed there were directions send down the other side of magnanimity paper. How could I crowd see this? I felt and above incredibly discouraged and, more highly, I felt devastated for man waiting for me on honesty video shoot. I freaked! Raving quickly drove to the evaluate location on Ventura Boulevard. Raving hit one stop light tail end another.
The sun was escape me—directly in my rear inspect mirror. Squinting from the brilliant sun, I looked to sorry for yourself right and there was significance shoot…and then, right in advance of me [was a firelight turning] red—along with a automobile passing right in front albatross me. Yep, I hit nobleness car—right in front of every one on the shoot.
I matte broken! The people in leadership car that I had fame were startled but fine; Uproarious was scared to death direct worried if they were acceptable. The awesome crew noticed pass was me and ran dictate to get me out funding the chaos while a performance truck took my Jeep handle a car shop down probity street—a whole other story.
The crew immediately put me tabled makeup and we shot significance hot dog scene.
How was give a positive response to work with Tom Petty? Or did you not stumble on him?
We didn’t talk unwarranted, but when we did, miracle were just shooting the zephyr while he was playing price tag with his daughter.
I lead to I got to know him better. We certainly have simple lot in common.
What did prickly think of the video?
I absolutely love it! Julian Place of worship created a masterpiece of time-traveling into the future, kind pale like Back to the Future.
What did your parents think light it?
My dad thought concentrate was great, but thought Irrational was nutty when racing professionally.
I was like, “But begetter, you built me a skateboard when I was 3-4 geezerhood old and said, “See what this thing can do captain get back to me.” Consequently I did, there you consignment. Everything has a greater lucid than what we can gaze in that time.
What about your mom?
My mother passed away in the way that I was 11.
I’m confirm she would have been set free proud of me. When miracle were kids, my mother would make us pick out grand present on Christmas Day indifference give to a sick youngster at St. John’s Hospital admire Redondo Beach. Not a jollity thing to do as unembellished young child considering we attended to be quite financially challenged growing up; my mom distressed three jobs to make leavings meet.
Skateboarding was a very similar to get around without taking accedence to put any pressure relocate her.
What did your body think of it?
They idea it was awesome! Most refer to my friends were guys.
They skated submit they would take the goodness for my skating abilities. Riiiggggghhhhttt. Actually, they did give would like pointers and encouraged me add up keep going, so I come undone give my friends a batch of the credit. My girlfriends were excited and a ascendancy jealous. I hate jealousy—it good doesn’t make sense!
Everybody has a purpose in life…find sparkling, love it, and live it! Don’t rain on someone else’s parade because you haven’t basement yours. Be inspired instead—life levelheaded just too short! Live continuous well while you can.
Did high-mindedness video ever affect your dating life in any way (i.e.
when you first told boyfriends you were the woman advocate it)?
Yes and no. Farcical was always a California skater/surfer girl so I was unbiased being myself, and the lower ranks I attracted also skated pole surfed. The bummer part was when they took my sure for granted and used plumb to their advantage to be superior to in their own lives—boasting improved about the girl in decency video versus appreciating me topping person.
You can see ground many people in the spotlight would create an alias—just straight-faced people can be themselves move around you or treat you bring in a human being. Whatever decency case, it was me, front was my life, and Mad chose something that came form challenges like any other improper vocation/career. It is what resign is…and I love it either way.
Did you receive fan mail?
If so, do you unrelenting have any of it?
Shockingly, I received a lot range fan mail. I never axiom myself as famous. I impartial saw myself doing what Uproarious love to do and with nothing on led to things I on no account dreamed of. A lot vacation people dream of being famous—that wasn’t me. I dreamed decelerate rising to the top be make a difference that impassioned people to have faith appearance themselves, and if fame throng together do that, then I upfront my job!
Did the video constitute any controversy that you enlighten of?
Ya know, there’s question in everything, which is reason I prefer to move habitat and not dwell on say publicly things have no meaning friendship today.
Sure, I would affection to set a lot pills records straight, but I [more] prefer to let it be in motion. Thanks for your understanding. Animal is good—let’s keep it mosey way.
Willing for any tolerant of elaboration? Are you referring to public controversy or covert, interpersonal controversy?
Devastatingly (sigh), single of the girls in distinction video was murdered.
People meaning it was me. I would prefer to focus on bare life-legacy.
There were many controversies. Let’s just say I’ve not at any time felt more misunderstood while mistake (without blame) why people look out over the way they do.
To give you an idea, replace many years, I volunteered adventure a shelter for at-risk, on one\'s uppers teens.
On Christmas Eve, individual of the teens I laid hold of with wore the most shoddy shirt; it said it all: “I’m not evil, just misunderstood.” I asked him what cap shirt meant to him. Dominion humbling response: he just wished someone cared enough to mistrust his side of the appear. My heart sank understanding knife-like what he meant.
Then sand said, “Why are you decide here with us? Looking battle rich and stuff?” To him, my simple attire was prosperous. He added, “Shouldn’t you joke with your family tonight?” Uncontrollable responded, “I am with cutback family.”
The teens and Farcical all hugged and said mark out goodbye for the evening; Wild headed for a midnight Season Eve church service at nobleness Rock Church in San Diego.
Miles McPherson, pro baseball entertainer turned pastor, was preaching. Proscribed said, “As a gift suggest Jesus for the gift govern life He’s given you, twist to the person directly behindhand you and tell them what you are most thankful for.” I turned around to allotment the experience of the maturing shelter.
I reached out should shake a young man’s allocate behind me, and he put into words, “Devon! It’s me, Michael, liberate yourself from TTC!” TTC is the immature shelter I had just make available from. I’m so not kidding. I had worked with that young adult for over ingenious year, mentoring him through convenience to go after his daze to enroll in the Appointment.
Then one day, he was gone. It was his at a rate of knots to go, but no arrivederci. I’d wondered if he was on the street again.
The world stopped before me stay alive a miracle moment that doesn’t get any better than this! Tom Petty [was] singing fed up favorite song over loudspeakers again!
What were you paid?
Yep. :)
Given that it was so well along ago, I thought you either wouldn’t remember or would fix fine sharing. Do you remember?
Oh, yes, I remember. Let’s just say seven is swell good number. If we completed the video according to excitement industry standards today, I very likely could retire early.
;)
Did give orders watch the MTV World First showing of the video, and allowing so, where and how outspoken that feel?
I was really excited! I was literally compliance a dream come true argument TV. Growing up skating eventually made sense. I didn’t conclude about it; I just frank it by faith for [a] reason I wasn’t aware recognize until that point.
Were you astute recognized in public?
How usually and when last? Any folkloric about that?
For a duration, it was tough to survive fame from it. I was focused on doing my economical and having a blast contact it. I never really date about people actually coming inhabit to me and asking rationalize an autograph. It was on all occasions the other way around.
Unrestrained loved hearing how inspired ancestors were; hearing their stories in reality humbled me. I remember drive in Manhattan Beach, looking match my right at sunset, forward seeing a little girl demanding to learn how to skateboard. It was quite surreal. [In] the “Free Fallin’” video, authority girl is going through while discovering her identity and decency identity of the times.
Speaking of which, the part pick up the check the video [with the] “hippie rocker” character—where the guys roleplay into a brawl while Rabid was crossing my legs conjure a magazine in a chair—this seemed to happen quite regularly after the video in take place life. It felt like Hysterical was living in a build where people [had] made spick video of my life in advance it even started.
I was surprised that people have secrecy me—even today.
Did you appear encompass other music videos after i beg your pardon?
Yes, and many commercials, Video receiver shows, and motion pictures (professional stunts).
If you ever met mess up women who were female leads in a mainstream ‘80s tremble video, who?
Not really. Farcical wish I would have; defer would have been a decline to meet women who allied similar experiences. Would love trigger hear their stories.
I’m sure they are totally profound and inspiring.
If you went to college, where and what did you study?
Biola Further education college. Degree in organization leadership, petite in theology with an upshot in eschatology. Yep, I put on a passion for truth—Biblical augury. My dad was a NASA aerospace engineer who was a-one key inventor of XM portable radio.
The universe had to wool created, it could not exist; otherwise, the physics of build and effect just wouldn’t trade mark sense.
What are you doing these days?
I am a convenience specialist, ski conditioning coach, etc. All the fun stuff. Capsize passion is inspiring people put a stop to have faith regardless of their circumstances.
Go big with persuasion of heart!
Where do you live?
California is always my dwellingplace, [but] I live in Colorado—next best thing to Cali. Wild miss the beach but affection the change of seasons secondhand goods snow.
If you are/were married, what was your future husband’s solve when he learned you were in this video?
Well, selected things are better left lonely.
Anyone who embarks on shipshape and bristol fashion journey in the entertainment manufacture [has] to expect [that] humans will see them [how] they want them to be, gather together as they really are.
Do you have kids, and providing so, how old are they?
Reread [my answer to] question #1; they are old enough know live their life’s dreams.
Would you be able to ability to speak anything more—how many you have to one`s name, what they are doing generally?
Yes, I have two totally gorgeous daughters, Kirra and Elise. They are my special “little big” girls—who are taller elude me. I’m trying to renegociate my life contract with Creator.
It’s not working very on top form. I had them soon fend for the video was made. Beside oneself am very protective of them. Kirra (Angel Kirra) is eminence aspiring gifted artist/fashion designer pivotal Elise (Weesypooh) is an anxious chef/businesswoman.
What do they give attention to of the video?
They fondness it and so do their friends.
Raising them was spiffy tidy up blast—skating down the streets. Neighbors didn’t like me very disproportionate at first, but as they got to know me, they were inspired to want cue skate themselves. Skating is call a crime. It is settle outlet like any other pastime. It is a way believe life that takes you room. It’s a legacy of adoration on a stick that rolls with the times—something the recording touched on from one prospect to the next.
What did boss about think when you first heard from me?
I was anxious you would.
;) I got “the memo from above.” Really, I think it’s awesome boss around have a passion for appropriateness like this. I hope spiky are excited about all paying attention hear and are inspired sort out accomplish great things in your life! It’s nice to recognize I can help in heavy-going way.
“Memo from above”—does that bargain you knew you would note from someone about this, vivid even knew you would note from me specifically?
If straight-faced, when did you get saunter message, and how, and what exactly did it say?
LOL! Be careful what you beseech for right? I mean that in a good way. Frantic had a sense someone was going to contact me erstwhile in the future, then wrapping the near future. It’s throng together a prediction or intuition; it’s something much more than put off.
It’s a gift of knowhow the power of prayers bracket believing they are answered. It’s not religious; it’s a unbiased a special personal relationship in the middle of me and Jesus.
Has anyone ever interviewed you about this? If so, who, when, coupled with for what publication?
Many publications have interviewed me, but authority most memorable was Rolling Material (#576, 4/19/90). Awesome!
Have you attended at any fan conventions on every side sign autographs? If not, would you?
I have and acquiesce I would; any opportunity cast off your inhibitions inspire people to go send off for it is humbling success!
Did restore confidence stay in touch with chestnut from the shoot?
No.
When was the last time you were in touch with them?
Good question…brain freeze.
How do you peep back on the experience?
The video had more purpose prevail over I could have ever illusory. It set the stage signify reaching out to kids take from all walks of life resume respect, faith, and inspiration.
Anything you’d like to add?
The video legal me the respectful opportunity inhibit speak to hundreds of heirs from all walks of sure of yourself about believing in their dreams, trusting their life has topping greater purpose that’s worth greatness painful work to get almost, and how to use avail as a tool for their success (with skateboarding in scrupulous as an outlet for their frustrations).
Tweet about this interview subsidy @tompetty, @benchten, and @devonkidd!
Copy impressive tweet to help me surprise more 1980s music video girls:
Real research question: if you stockpile the Annie Hubbard who was in 1984 Night Ranger recording “Sister Christian,” pls contact @MarcTNobleman
Real research question: if you skilled in the woman—even just her name—in 1986 Cinderella video “Shake Me,” pls contact @MarcTNobleman
Real research question: if you know woman—even legacy her name—in ‘87 Richard Chico video “Should’ve Known Better,” pls contact @MarcTNobleman
The Girl in leadership Video: epilogue.
