The modeling industry is changing rapidly. New, diverse faces are coming onto the scene, giving all people the representation they've never had before.
Take model Mikayla Holmgren for example. She's one of the few models with Down Syndrome storming the fashion world, and she's having the time of her life while she changes the face of modeling.
Not only is she the first model with Down syndrome to run in a Miss USA (she ran in 2017), she's a trailblazer. She's currently running a campaign to be the first Sports Illustrated swim model with Down syndrome!
About one in 700 people in the U.S. are born with Down syndrome each year. With numbers like that, Mikayla is working hard to see people like her more accurately represented in media.
"We tell all our people who have special needs or Down syndrome, go ahead and do it," she told People. "Just follow your dreams and then do things."
Each year, Sports Illustrated puts out a model search for their swimsuit issue. For 2021, models were asked to send in pictures and videos explaining why they should be chosen.
"SI Swim has been such a champion of the diversity of beauty," she said in her submitted video. "Now is the time to include someone like me."
"I am a dancer, model, public speaker, and college graduate. I am the first woman with Down syndrome to compete in a Miss USA State Pageant."
"I rocked my bathing suit on stage. Now is time to rock the magazine.
All women deserve to be celebrated. We need awareness for those with special needs."
She's just happy to be able to put herself out there and be a champion for people with Down syndrome.
However, let's try and make this happen for her, shall we?
And, more importantly, you can vote for her to appear in Sports Illustrated! Head over and check out her video, click that like, and let's help her dreams come true!
