Meet Madison DeCambra of Carson/LA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison DeCambra.

Hi Madison, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been a creative person, although the form that has taken has changed over the years. I moved around quite a bit as a kid but primarily grew up in Snohomish, Washington. But I was around maybe kindergarten age when I first told my dad I wanted to be in movies, and that little declaration ended up sticking with me.

I did a play every semester in high school despite mostly being chorus, started modeling at 18, and eventually got into independent film, music, and content creation. I released a single in 2019, spent a few years doing YouTube, and now create content with my partner. Modeling has taken me to some pretty unexpected places as well, including Paris, which still feels a little surreal.

I also became a mom at 20, and my daughter has actually been part of my creative journey from the beginning- she was my little on set baby for some of my early shoots. After her fifth birthday, I moved to Los Angeles to give myself a real chance at building a creative career here.

Since then, I’ve continued acting and training while modeling, creating content, working on independent projects, and exploring different creative opportunities. I’ve never been particularly good at putting myself into one box, and at this point I don’t really want to. I love performing and watching movies of course- but I also love fashion, music, d&d, candle making, all facets of filmmaking, and simply creating things from the ground up. I’m still figuring out exactly where all of that takes me, which is probably what makes it exciting.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road. I’ve had several points in my life, especially in young adulthood, where it felt like everything changed at once and I had to figure out how to rebuild. I’ve experienced a lot of loss and some difficult periods personally, financially, and emotionally, and there have definitely been times when I wondered what I was even doing or where I was headed.

Moving to LA was another version of starting over. I came here me and my kiddo while all of my closest friends and family were still back in Washington. There was a long stretch where I felt pretty alone and was trying to build a career, make friends, and create a life all at the same time. Eventually I found my people, but it took time. I think that experience made me appreciate genuine friendships and community much more.

I’ve also had to be practical about building a creative career. I’m an actor and model, but I’m also a housekeeper, and I’ve never been embarrassed about working to support myself while I pursue the things I care about. Creative careers don’t always pay consistently, and sometimes you have to be willing to wear a few different hats.

I’ve also spent a lot of time figuring myself out. I’ve struggled with confidence, identity, and that lovely little voice that tells you you’re not good enough- which, unfortunately, has excellent timing. I think a lot of creative people can relate to that. For a long time, I didn’t always understand why certain things felt harder for me than they seemed to for other people, and learning more about myself has helped me be much kinder to myself.

If there’s one thing I’ve gained from all of it, it’s that I’m pretty good at starting over now. I think I’ve finally had enough practice. I don’t love having to rebuild, but I’ve learned that I can. I still have moments where I question myself, but I’m much less afraid of change than I used to be- and I keep creating.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work is pretty varied, which is probably the easiest way to describe it. These days I’m an actor and model. But I also cosplay, DM a D&D campaign, create YouTube and social media content, and regularly attend premieres, screenings, and other events. I’m also a mom, so there are definitely a lot of different hats (and wigs) in my closet. I also feel consistently grateful for this crazy life I live.

A lot of my work lives at the intersection of entertainment, creativity, and personality. I love being in front of the camera, whether I’m acting, modeling, putting together a cosplay, or just being myself. I also really enjoy the process behind creating something- coming up with an idea, figuring out how to execute it, and making it feel like my own.

I’ve been lucky enough to have some pretty unexpected experiences along the way. I’ve modeled internationally, including in Paris, worked on independent film, released music, and built an online presence across different platforms. I’ve also been doing this long enough that apparently the internet decided I deserved a Famous Birthdays page, which still makes me laugh. I definitely remember thinking, “Well, this is a very specific milestone.”

I’m probably most proud of the fact that I’ve continued creating through so many different chapters of my life. I’ve had to adapt a lot, and I’ve learned that I don’t necessarily need to have one perfectly defined career path. I can be interested in a lot of things and still take all of them seriously.

I don’t really want to be known for just one thing. What sets me apart is probably that I’m genuinely curious and a little difficult to put in a box. I can be on set one day, dressed as a character the next, at a movie premiere with my boyfriend, filming a YouTube video, and then doing completely ordinary work afterward. I actually like that contrast. I think having a lot of different experiences gives me more to draw from creatively, and I want my work to reflect that.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Oh god, you want me to pick one?

My life’s ups and downs existed even in my childhood, but the beautiful moments are so precious to me.

There’s always flashback moments that come to mind that are maybe a little more vague than most people’s favorite memories. I miss big family dinners. Before we all grew up and separated. I miss the backstage rush before going out onstage with my drama class friends. I miss the feeling of being a teenager and laying out in our backyard in the sunshine while my mom gardened. I miss my dad and I going to the Seattle Center and spending the day out exploring.

Disney AND horror were always simultaneously very important to me. Disneyland was our families choice of vacation every few years, and I have very distinct memories of seeing special Disney movies in theaters. My Mimi took me to see Lilo and Stitch in theaters and that’s been a big favorite since. I also have memories of lying in bed way past my bedtime to watch The Brothers Grimm movie on my portable DVD player.

Yes kids, a portable DVD player.

I also have so many memories of joining my dad for music related stuff. From playing Barbie’s nearby during band practice to watching him perform at El Corazon in Seattle, to writing our own EP (that I swear we’re going to record someday) – I think it’s safe to say creativity and my passions have always been a part of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beacons.ai/madisondecambra
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madisondecambra
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/gigi.cambra

Image Credits
@lyteboxx
@sabrinamariestudio (fashion show photo)