An inspiration to all, Lauren Potter has proven herself to be a young woman of strength and character. When professionals told her she “couldn’t” or “wouldn’t,” she worked harder—sometimes to the point of exhaustion. Barriers and limitations put before her became a personal challenge to let people know she is worthy of high ideals and capable of great expectations.
Lauren danced before she could walk. She began classes at the age of three and has been doing ballet, tap, jazz and even hip-hop ever since.
She made her acting debut in the movie “Mr. Blue Sky,” where her impressive performance caught the attention of the producers of the hit FOX television series, “Glee,” on which she played the spunky character ‘Becky Jackson’ for six seasons. She was nominated for a SAG Award in the category of “Ensemble in a Comedy Series” for her work on “Glee.” Lauren was also honored with the SAG/AFTRA Harold Russell Award at the Media Access Awards for this series.
Lauren is thrilled to be using her public “voice” that “Glee” has given her to speak out for other people with disabilities who may not have the same opportunities.
She was an Ambassador for Special Olympics World Games and was also appointed to President Obama's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Lauren served for three years on the International Board of Best Buddies and has worked with the non-profit in conjunction with Special Olympics’ “R Word: Spread the Word to End the Word” anti-bullying campaign.
Lauren has since starred in and executive produced the indie drama “Guest Room,” which made its debut at the 2015 SXSW Film Festival. Most recently Lauren guest-starred on HBO’s “Veep,” Freeform’s “Switched at Birth” and Comedy Central’s “Drunk History.” She also starred in a PSA for World Down Syndrome Day humorously redefining what ‘special needs’ are.
Alumni Ambassadors
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Apolo Anton Ohno
Olympic Medalist (Speedskating) -
Benedetto Saraceno
Health Expert & Advocate -
Brooklyn Decker Roddick
Actress & Model -
Cafu (Marcos Evangelista de Morais)
Legendary Professional Soccer Player -
Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco
Olympian & World Champion Swimmer -
Emma Broyles
Miss America 2022 -
Gleyber Torres
2x MLB All-Star, New York Yankees Shortstop -
Gracie Hunt
Inclusion activist, Unified Partner and Philanthropist -
Joe Haden
Former NFL Player & All Pro Defensive Back -
Lauren Potter
Actor & Advocate -
Maria Menounos
Actor & New York Times Best-Selling Author -
Michelle Kwan
Olympic Medalist, Figure Skating, United States Ambassador to Belize -
Montell Jordan
International Recording Artist/Pastor -
Nancy O'Dell
Media Personality -
Ricardo Montaner
Grammy Award Winning Singer & Songwriter -
Ricky Rubio
Former NBA Player, Cleveland Cavaliers -
Scott Hamilton
Olympic Champion, Figure Skating -
Vanessa Williams
Singer & Broadway Performer -
Willson Contreras
2x MLB All-Star, St. Louis Cardinals Catcher -
Yuna Kim
Olympic Champion, Figure Skating
