CHLOE,6, IS QUEEN OF CATWALK
Mum thanks Record readers after surprise nomination for accolade celebrating the nation’s heroes, young and old, from all walks of life
WITH her gorgeous grin it’s no wonder little Chloe Lennon has become one of the country’s most in-demand child models.
The six-year-old, who has Down’s syndrome, has only been modelling for a year but has already starred in campaigns for River Island, Marks & Spencer and Ella’s Kitchen.
Chloe, from Irvine, Ayrshire, is signed to national model agency Zebedee Management and took to the catwalk at London Kids Fashion Week last September.
The schoolgirl’s infectious personality and determination to prove the sky is the limit for kids with disabilities has now earned her a nomination in our new Scotland’s Champion Awards.
Mum Jade, 26, said: “We still can’t quite believe it. It has been one crazy year but Chloe has been loving every minute. She loves clothes and getting dressed up so for her it’s a dream come true.
“She’s appeared in campaigns for River Island and Marks & Spencer as well as for lots of other smaller boutiques. She also starred in the Ella’s Kitchen Christmas video and shot a short Scottish film, which is out later this year.
“She just loves being in front of the camera.
“One of the highlights was walking the runway at London Kids Fashion Week. It was absolutely manic but Chloe took it all in her stride.”
The former nursery worker said her daughter was breaking down barriers.
Jade said: “Through her modelling, Chloe is challenging stereotypes and the misconceptions about people with Down’s syndrome. She lights up every room with her personality and is proof having a disability isn’t a barrier to achieving dreams.
“She has done all this by just being herself and we are all very proud of her.
“Knowing Daily Record and Sunday Mail readers feel the same way and have nominated Chloe for a Scotland’s Champion Award is just lovely.”
Chloe’s modelling career took off after a video she starred in for World Down Syndrome Day 2018 went viral, turning her into an overnight internet sensation.
In the clip, which has had more
I wouldn’t change anything about her. She is my star MUM JADE PRAISES DAUGHTER CHLOE
than 25 million views, Chloe urged people to wear odd socks to celebrate the event, which takes place annually on March 21.
The Odd Socks Day celebration is adopted worldwide because chromosomes resemble socks and people with Down’s syndrome have an extra chromosome.
Chloe’s Facebook plea captured hearts all over the world and her mum was soon overwhelmed with messages from people around the globe inspired by the video.
Jade said: “It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since I posted that video. At the time I had no idea just how many people it would help.
“After the video went viral I was contacted by a mother-to-be in the United States who had found out at her 20-week scan that her baby boy had Down’s syndrome and was unsure whether to keep the baby or to terminate the pregnancy.
“She told me she came across the video of Chloe and watched it, then looked at some of my posts on Facebook.
“She talked to her partner and showed it to him and they decided to go ahead with the pregnancy based on seeing all the things Chloe has achieved.”
“Thinking back, if I was scrolling on Facebook one day and I saw Chloe’s video it would have made me a lot calmer.
“I look at Chloe and the way she is and it proves there’s nothing to be scared about. Perceptions are changing but there is still a long way to go.
“The worlds of TV and modelling are becoming more diverse and inclusive but I hope there will be a day when brands using disabled actors and models is just the norm.”
Jade was 30 weeks pregnant when a scan revealed her baby had a heart condition, common in children with Down’s Syndrome. She was told there was a 50-50 chance of Chloe having the condition.
She said: “They offered me an amniocentesis to confirm whether my baby had the condition but I refused, fearing it would bring on early labour or damage the baby.
“For the last nine weeks of my pregnancy I was a wreck and it was all down to the fact I didn’t know anything about Down’s syndrome.
“But when Chloe was born on March 9 2013, I was more worried about her heart problem than the fact she had Downs.
“The wee soul needed heart surgery when she was just ten weeks old. Luckily the surgery worked and she has no other health problems. Jade, whose daughter has been nominated in the Little Champion category of our awards, added: “Chloe is just like any other happy six-year-old and it is heartbreaking when people take one look at her and assume she is not intelligent and she is not capable.
“She is capable, as are all people with Down’s syndrome.
“She has been going to dance classes since she was three, attends mainstream school and enjoys listening to George Ezra and Disney songs.
“She is also kind and earlier this year donated her long hair to the Little Princess Trust after asking about the kids with no hair on an advert for Great Ormond Street.
“I wouldn’t change anything about her. She is my star.”
Over the years, the Daily Record and Sunday Mail have honoured hundreds of selfless Scots who go the extra mile to help others, with Great Scots and Our Heroes.
Now both these awards are coming together under the umbrella of Scotland’s Champions.
The star-studded award ceremony will take place on June 22 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central Hotel.
So if you know someone as deserving as Chloe go to www.scotlands champions.co.uk and nominate them in one of the eight categories.