22-Year-Old Model With Down Syndrome Is Eager to Become a Victoria Secret Angel and Change the Face of Beauty

Madeline Stuart is a model from Australia with something very special about her that makes her stand out from other runway girls. She has millions of followers, has been featured in Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and The NY Times, models all over the world and has become a big inspiration for thousands of people with her incredible story. When she decided to become a professional model, she was keen on doing absolutely anything to make her dream come true and nothing could stop her, even Down Syndrome.

We at Bright Side were absolutely fascinated by this story and we can’t wait to tell our readers about it.

Madeline Stuart is a 22-year-old Australian girl and a supermodel. When Maddy’s mom took her to see a fashion show in 2014, she said, “Mom, me model.” Her mother, Rosanne, knew it would be a challenge because the field was so competitive and hundreds of girls want to be on the catwalk, but as every parent does, she wanted her daughter to be happy.

To make her journey possible, Madeline lost more than 44 pounds. As she said, back then she hated even walking, but her dream of becoming a model encouraged her to change her lifestyle completely and the transformation is astounding.

It’s not a surprise that with such dedication, it didn’t take long for Madeline to become a professional supermodel, she was just a natural. Her first appearance on the runway was in 2015. She is the world’s first supermodel with Down Syndrome and was named “#1 Game Changer” by Forbes Magazine. So far, she’s walked in the past 6 seasons of New York Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, and London Fashion Week. At this stage, Madeline does 18 shows per season. “She doesn’t need to prepare. She is just ready,” Maddy’s mother, Rosanne Stuart said.

The truth is that Madeline’s journey is so much bigger than just walking on a catwalk, even if she didn’t think about it when she started modeling. She became an inspiration to so many and a role model for thousands of people in Australia and around the world. ’’Just because you have a disability, doesn’t mean you can’t achieve your dreams,’’ Madeline’s mother believes.

She is here to change the world, to change society, and to change us. She is here to show us that people with Down Syndrome are beautiful and that they can become successful and famous. “That’s why we do it...people like Madeline put color into the world,” said Maddy’s mom.

With recent calls for more diversity in international popular culture, on runways, and in campaigns; Madeline is in a prime position to be an important face, representative, and contributor or voice for any product, brand, or marketing campaign.

Unfortunately, Maddy’s health still gives her some trouble and in late 2018 she had to spend some time in the hospital. Going through surgery is never easy but now Maddy is back on the runway. “When you are climbing that ladder to success, you still have a few glass ceilings to break through.” Well said, Maddy, you are truly amazing!

Madeline mentioned that she had one big dream, to walk Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and make the history of becoming the first Angel with Down syndrome. Looking at this girl’s determination and her hunger for success, we won’t be very surprised if one day we see it happened. Never say never.

Are you impressed with Madeline’s dedication and strength? We would love to read what you think about it in the comments!