OMG, Tom Petty died! I'm shocked, was looking for updates. My brother looks a lot like him. Thomas Earl Petty (October 20, 1950 – October 2, 2017) was an American musician who was the lead vocalist and guitarist of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, formed in 1976. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Petty
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2013 The Girl in the Video: “Free Fallin’” (1989) Introduction to series “The Girl in the Video” (including list of interviewees).The video: “Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty. The girl-now-woman: Devon Kidd (Devon Jenkin). There is a current photo at the noblemania link. Still looks lovely 33 years later!
https://www.noblemania.com/2013/07/the-girl-in-video-free-fallin-1989.html
Excerpt:
How old were you when you appeared in the “Free Fallin’” video?
Hmm…old enough to skate a half-pipe that led to professional downhill skateboarding—first female against 200+ men, many with tattoos everywhere and longer hair than me. Where are your manners, young man (LOL!)—never ask a girl her age, silly. Wink wink.
Where were you living at the time?
Manhattan Beach, CA. Great place! Ever been there?
What music videos, shows, or movies had you appeared in prior to that?
I was the Wienerschnitzel girl for several years during the Lakers’ three-year championship sweep. I didn’t do too much before, but certainly after. The “California skateboarder/surfer girl” type wasn’t in the limelight, of course, except for Malibu Gidget.
How were you cast?
This is the fun part. I was doing a modeling shoot with gold medalist Cathy Rigby for a water ad. I was a gymnast. While I was in the middle of the shoot, I received a call from my agent saying “There’s a music video audition. I don’t know if you want to do it. It’s a small job.” I asked who the artist was and what the song was. When she said, “Tom Petty, ‘Free Fallin,’” I jumped! I asked the photographer of the shoot what time we’d be done, and he said in an hour or so. I asked my agent if they could change my audition time to later. As I waited quite anxiously, had a hard time sitting still for the shoot—but the enthusiastic energy I felt inspired a great shot! I was able to be let go early.
I drove from Sherman Oaks to Melrose Boulevard, West Hollywood, and went to Aardvark’s second-hand store. Two men who loved to dress women helped me find the perfect outfit. Then they directed me to a Wal-Mart-type store to buy cheap fifties-style peg shoes. (The hairstylist on the shoot [had done] my hair fifties style.)
I had more fun getting to the audition. When I arrived, I saw a huge line of ladies looking similar to myself out the door and around the building. I ran in to sign in. I was full of smiles while everyone [looked bored] waiting for their turn. I was like, “Are you kidding me? This is amazing! How can you not be excited!” When it was my turn, I auditioned with two other ladies. One of them starred as Priscilla in [a] TV movie about Elvis Presley, the other was an old friend of mine from high school—a boarding school in Arizona. We hadn’t seen each other in years, so you can imagine how much fun we were having.
I was asked back to meet the director, Julian Temple. He asked if I could skateboard and made his hands go up and down. I had been skateboarding nearly every day after school since I was 3-4 years old. I responded, “You mean a half-pipe?” He said, “Yes, that thing.”
Do you remember what happened next?
How can I forget! After the audition, I went home, cancelled all of my plans, and just stared at the phone. My agent called me and asked, “Are you sitting down?” I said, “No, I can’t. Okay, I will. What happened?” She said, “You got it!” I said, “I got what?” She said, “You got the lead.” I screamed, I danced like the movie with Tom Cruise in his underwear, and I said, “Thank you to Jesus!” Yes, I really do love Jesus of Nazareth! I couldn’t have done anything or got through anything without Him. He is my hero, my savior!
Where was the video filmed?
Hollywood Hills, Sherman Oaks.
How long was the shoot?
Surprisingly—two days.
How did you feel making the video?
As you can see, I felt great! I [did] wish I had more time to prepare. During the last audition the director said that we were filming that next day. Not much time to brush up on skills. No worries—it all came back and it was good!
97,328,154 views Jun 16, 2009
Tom Petty
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Music video by Tom Petty performing Free Fallin'. (C) 1989 UMG Recordings, Inc.
I do not own the rights to the video. I created the thumbnail. Original link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lWJXDG2i0A
Original title: Tom Petty - Free Fallin'
21
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