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A Teen With Down Syndrome Just Landed A Modelling Contract
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A Teen With Down Syndrome Just Landed A Modelling Contract

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Madeline Stuart, the courageous and inspiring teen model with Down syndrome whose story we first told here, has just landed her first major modeling contract. Manifesta, a U.S.-based women’s athletic-wear brand that targets women of all shapes, sizes and types, has taken on Stuart as one of their representatives.

The match seems like one made in heaven – after all, Madeline decided to become a model after she lost 44lbs (20kg) in a big to improve her health and slim down. Manifesta, on the other hand, is an athletic apparel brand whose goal is to make and advertise clothing for women of all body types.

“With all that Madeline is doing, we’re so excited to have her represent Manifesta,” the company writes on their blog. “Just as Madeline is committed to expanding people’s ideas of what a model can be, Manifesta is determined to show that the clothing and fashion industry doesn’t have to be exclusionary, that one brand can work for women of various sizes.”

More info: madelinestuart.comFacebook | Instagram | Twitter

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Madeline Stuart’s dream was to become a professional model

She also happens to have Down syndrome

After she lost 44lbs (20kg) to keep healthy, she decided to start modeling

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She’s been working hard to achieve her dream, with a bit of help from her supportive mother

“She really wants to change the way people discriminate against disability,” said Maddy’s mother

She just became the newest face of Manifesta, a U.S. women’s athletic apparel brand

It is this budding model’s first big professional contract

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“People with Down syndrome can do anything, they just do it at their own pace”

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“Give them a chance and you will be rewarded beyond your greatest expectations”

(Image credits: lulubellephotography.com.au | Facebook)

“I think it is time people realized that people with Down syndrome can be sexy and beautiful”

“I want people to stop saying ‘I’m sorry’ when I tell them my daughter has Down syndrome, because it’s a very naive statement”

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“If the average person could see the beauty Maddy has inside, how loving and caring she is and if that is what people measured beauty on, then most of the models in the world would have Down syndrome”

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Dovas

Dovas

Author, Community member

Read more Β»

There is a beast with heart of cold stone that dashes like lightning, shreds flesh from bone. // Bewitched by this beast, I fell to my knees. My mouth babbled madness and mumbled soft pleas. // I stared down the ravenous, gnashing dark maw of a cute cuddly kitten with yarn in its paw

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Dovas

Dovas

Author, Community member

There is a beast with heart of cold stone that dashes like lightning, shreds flesh from bone. // Bewitched by this beast, I fell to my knees. My mouth babbled madness and mumbled soft pleas. // I stared down the ravenous, gnashing dark maw of a cute cuddly kitten with yarn in its paw

What do you think ?
Add photo comments
POST
SarahR.Lotfi
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is gorgeous and brave. As a sibling to a brother and sister who have Down Syndrome, this moves me in so many ways

MichaelaTrÑvníčkovÑ
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW! She is very beautiful and brave more than any other. She looks like a healthy happy girl, who can make any of her dreams true. I admire her.

ShaunaMcElroy
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was just scrolling through the photos with my 4-year old niece; she kept saying, "Princess, princess.." with each new pic. :)

CrackrJax
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How cool is that! I love it! Good for her. We could all take a lesson from her strength and perseverance. And you are such a great Mom!! I'm definitely going to check out Manifesta now ... ;)

stanleyscout
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is so beautiful. Her beautiful, loving spirit translates so powerfully. This is true, genuine beauty.

AnnaKravchenko
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As much as this is heartwarming and great for her self-esteem, let's all be realistic... the companies that will hire her will do this for their own publicity "Hey, look at us, we don't discriminate"...

stanleyscout
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok---and what is wrong with that? I love that they are doing this for publicity! Every advertisement is for publicy, and let's publicize true beauty instead of ego and sex.

Load More Replies...
JoyTan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this series of photos makes me really really happy for some reason :).

DebraBrooksKapellakis
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go for it is a wonderful phrase, she went for it and she got it, BRAVO! Best wishes to you Maddy for continued success.

RichardPetch
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well done young lady, you go show them all and make your dreams come true.

RubySophia
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

she is so pretty, she deserves to have everything that she has worked for

TashaTilbrook
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is incredibly pretty! I'd love to see more of her in the magazines instead of these miserable looking women who have to starve themselves to stay in the business!

TeresaRoste
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a beautiful girl and an amazing mom to teach her what all moms teach us all we can be and do anything we want to do no matter what don't let anything stand in your way, people that judge should be ashamed we are all special in our own way

LisaGallant
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good for her-That's great to see that there are goodness to other people giving a chance too!

AnnaGodess
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

she looks really fit. I am inspired by her commitment to health and to pursuing her goals. What disability??

DonGuild
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is a beautiful young lady, Most of these people are wonderful to have in your life, They show kindness like no other person can. If you are the parent of a child with downs syndrome, then consider yourself fortunate.

TerriGold
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish Maddy all the best in her career. She's a powerhouse and will be a great educator if she chooses to use that power to help others.

GraceThompson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's about time something like this happened. She is just as beautiful and amazing as any other model out there. Maybe even more.

LyndseyHoughton
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow!! What a beautiful and courageous young lady....she should be a role model for not only anyone who is challenged but for any young adult who has a dream/life goal....Good for her...you have my total admiration! Keep up the positive impressive work young lady and before you know it your name will be a household name! <3

MarionBrown
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful - what I can see of her through my tears...you are blessed!

Anonymous.A.anon
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is beautiful, brave, and amazing in many ways, I have a cousin that is a year and ten months and this really touched me, anyone who descrimenates people with Down syndrome is a complete and utter a*****e with a capital A, God sent us on earth to prove our loyalty to him and we are good enough people to come back to heaven, but so far all I've seen in all my years of living all. I heard was 'north Africa is under attack' or 'Greece has run out of money' and my personal favorite 'ukrain despise Russia'. I as a half Russian half Libyan person think that people who think that people with Down syndrome or any kind of syndrome is a curse and that they are unholy people, well guess what? I think that they are amazing,kind and caring and I would do anything to protect and encourage people with syndromes to follow their dreams. With love. Anonymous

AprilHladik
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's lovely. I'm glad she got her dream fulfilled got to feel beautiful .... Which is what all us girls need everyone in a while.

EarleneCameron
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maddy is beautiful just like her mother. What a precious, gifted and loving child. Celebrate your beauty inside and out, Maddy.

RaitaGottlen
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is very beautiful, it's great she was able to achieve her dream ^_^

JodyPhillipe
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is truly BEAUTIFUL. Maddy you can do ANYTHING that you want. Follow your Dreams and they will take you to amazing places. Mom you are doing a great job raising a confident young woman.

ElizabethGatti
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is beautiful and inspiring!!! She will go far with her attitude!!!

CarolIngraham
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a beautiful young woman. I wish her and future the very best what a blessing she is to all.

Kindred
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well of course she did, she's a beauty with a radiating smile. She's strong too...look at those guns.

LeighStovall
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's beautiful. It only takes one person to be that catalyst for change. She could definately be that one. She's got more guts than I do!!!

Martin
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For some reason all I can think about when I see these pics is the movie: 30 Days of Night

Joannechrisco
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We are all blessed to have her showing us all what real beauty, grace, and humility looks like. She is beauty for the eyes and for the soul.

RuthieKaplan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think she is a beautiful and stunning person who, despite what some people might say, will go very far. I think we will definitely be hearing and seeing more from her.

IshbelBurnet
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what a beauty. The innocence of her smile and eyes is really priceless. I could really see what her mother is saying, she has real beauty.

MaryAsh
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gorgeous, didn't like all the photos in all honesty, but she looks incredible, particularly in the sports gear for Manifesta, really suits her form.

Stephen-RaineGoates
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait . . . Why is she worry about whether or not her daughter is sexy ? None of that needed to be said . Nothing wrong with supporting your kids but protect them in the process . Every down syndrome child is different some do better than others but unfortunately some aren't even lucky enough to have learned to speak or defend themselves . Sadly some monsters prey on unfortunates . Dont get me wrong great story I just think mom need her head checked .

RoseanneJames
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's so wonderful to see someone following their heart, regardless of the perceived limitations others might place on them & by following their dream anyway, prove that these limitations just don't exist. And I love that she has such an open, sweet face & a gentleness of character, behind which she so obviously has a resolve of steel...! You go girl & show them how it's done <3 xxx

KaelyMonahan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful. Maddy is such an inspiration. Her beauty out shines all the plastic, hermaphroditic models that splash general media. I want to see Maddie in more modelling gigs. She's gorgeous!

JuliaGletscherwasser
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

She's not pretty at all, people are just sick of trying to show a fake tolerance. And be honest with yourself, this is not attractive, I just feel sorry for those Down-syndrome people, and the way society uses them.

Baked_Potato
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is beautiful! She's just as pretty, if not prettier as most models. Ugh! I hate rude comments about people with disabilities...

Load More Replies...
SarahR.Lotfi
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is gorgeous and brave. As a sibling to a brother and sister who have Down Syndrome, this moves me in so many ways

MichaelaTrÑvníčkovÑ
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW! She is very beautiful and brave more than any other. She looks like a healthy happy girl, who can make any of her dreams true. I admire her.

ShaunaMcElroy
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was just scrolling through the photos with my 4-year old niece; she kept saying, "Princess, princess.." with each new pic. :)

CrackrJax
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How cool is that! I love it! Good for her. We could all take a lesson from her strength and perseverance. And you are such a great Mom!! I'm definitely going to check out Manifesta now ... ;)

stanleyscout
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is so beautiful. Her beautiful, loving spirit translates so powerfully. This is true, genuine beauty.

AnnaKravchenko
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As much as this is heartwarming and great for her self-esteem, let's all be realistic... the companies that will hire her will do this for their own publicity "Hey, look at us, we don't discriminate"...

stanleyscout
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok---and what is wrong with that? I love that they are doing this for publicity! Every advertisement is for publicy, and let's publicize true beauty instead of ego and sex.

Load More Replies...
JoyTan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this series of photos makes me really really happy for some reason :).

DebraBrooksKapellakis
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go for it is a wonderful phrase, she went for it and she got it, BRAVO! Best wishes to you Maddy for continued success.

RichardPetch
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well done young lady, you go show them all and make your dreams come true.

RubySophia
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

she is so pretty, she deserves to have everything that she has worked for

TashaTilbrook
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is incredibly pretty! I'd love to see more of her in the magazines instead of these miserable looking women who have to starve themselves to stay in the business!

TeresaRoste
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a beautiful girl and an amazing mom to teach her what all moms teach us all we can be and do anything we want to do no matter what don't let anything stand in your way, people that judge should be ashamed we are all special in our own way

LisaGallant
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good for her-That's great to see that there are goodness to other people giving a chance too!

AnnaGodess
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

she looks really fit. I am inspired by her commitment to health and to pursuing her goals. What disability??

DonGuild
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is a beautiful young lady, Most of these people are wonderful to have in your life, They show kindness like no other person can. If you are the parent of a child with downs syndrome, then consider yourself fortunate.

TerriGold
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish Maddy all the best in her career. She's a powerhouse and will be a great educator if she chooses to use that power to help others.

GraceThompson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's about time something like this happened. She is just as beautiful and amazing as any other model out there. Maybe even more.

LyndseyHoughton
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow!! What a beautiful and courageous young lady....she should be a role model for not only anyone who is challenged but for any young adult who has a dream/life goal....Good for her...you have my total admiration! Keep up the positive impressive work young lady and before you know it your name will be a household name! <3

MarionBrown
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful - what I can see of her through my tears...you are blessed!

Anonymous.A.anon
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is beautiful, brave, and amazing in many ways, I have a cousin that is a year and ten months and this really touched me, anyone who descrimenates people with Down syndrome is a complete and utter a*****e with a capital A, God sent us on earth to prove our loyalty to him and we are good enough people to come back to heaven, but so far all I've seen in all my years of living all. I heard was 'north Africa is under attack' or 'Greece has run out of money' and my personal favorite 'ukrain despise Russia'. I as a half Russian half Libyan person think that people who think that people with Down syndrome or any kind of syndrome is a curse and that they are unholy people, well guess what? I think that they are amazing,kind and caring and I would do anything to protect and encourage people with syndromes to follow their dreams. With love. Anonymous

AprilHladik
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's lovely. I'm glad she got her dream fulfilled got to feel beautiful .... Which is what all us girls need everyone in a while.

EarleneCameron
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maddy is beautiful just like her mother. What a precious, gifted and loving child. Celebrate your beauty inside and out, Maddy.

RaitaGottlen
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is very beautiful, it's great she was able to achieve her dream ^_^

JodyPhillipe
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is truly BEAUTIFUL. Maddy you can do ANYTHING that you want. Follow your Dreams and they will take you to amazing places. Mom you are doing a great job raising a confident young woman.

ElizabethGatti
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is beautiful and inspiring!!! She will go far with her attitude!!!

CarolIngraham
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a beautiful young woman. I wish her and future the very best what a blessing she is to all.

Kindred
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well of course she did, she's a beauty with a radiating smile. She's strong too...look at those guns.

LeighStovall
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's beautiful. It only takes one person to be that catalyst for change. She could definately be that one. She's got more guts than I do!!!

Martin
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For some reason all I can think about when I see these pics is the movie: 30 Days of Night

Joannechrisco
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We are all blessed to have her showing us all what real beauty, grace, and humility looks like. She is beauty for the eyes and for the soul.

RuthieKaplan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think she is a beautiful and stunning person who, despite what some people might say, will go very far. I think we will definitely be hearing and seeing more from her.

IshbelBurnet
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what a beauty. The innocence of her smile and eyes is really priceless. I could really see what her mother is saying, she has real beauty.

MaryAsh
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gorgeous, didn't like all the photos in all honesty, but she looks incredible, particularly in the sports gear for Manifesta, really suits her form.

Stephen-RaineGoates
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait . . . Why is she worry about whether or not her daughter is sexy ? None of that needed to be said . Nothing wrong with supporting your kids but protect them in the process . Every down syndrome child is different some do better than others but unfortunately some aren't even lucky enough to have learned to speak or defend themselves . Sadly some monsters prey on unfortunates . Dont get me wrong great story I just think mom need her head checked .

RoseanneJames
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's so wonderful to see someone following their heart, regardless of the perceived limitations others might place on them & by following their dream anyway, prove that these limitations just don't exist. And I love that she has such an open, sweet face & a gentleness of character, behind which she so obviously has a resolve of steel...! You go girl & show them how it's done <3 xxx

KaelyMonahan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful. Maddy is such an inspiration. Her beauty out shines all the plastic, hermaphroditic models that splash general media. I want to see Maddie in more modelling gigs. She's gorgeous!

JuliaGletscherwasser
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

She's not pretty at all, people are just sick of trying to show a fake tolerance. And be honest with yourself, this is not attractive, I just feel sorry for those Down-syndrome people, and the way society uses them.

Baked_Potato
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is beautiful! She's just as pretty, if not prettier as most models. Ugh! I hate rude comments about people with disabilities...

Load More Replies...
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