She was abandoned for her albinism as a child; she today she models for ‘Vogue’

Xueli started modeling by chance when she was 11 years old, since her mother is friends with a designer from Hong Kong, who designed a line called “Perfect Imperfections” and invited her to participate in the show. From there, her popularity skyrocketed and she is frequently invited to participate in various photo shoots. However, Ella Xueli says that, more than anything, she appreciates having a platform to speak openly about albinism.

In modeling, looking different is a blessing, and modeling has given me a platform to be able to speak about albinism. Many times, models with albinism only appear in photo shoots where they represent angels or ghosts and that makes me sad because it perpetuates beliefs that put the lives of children with albinism at risk.

“I want to change the world”

Currently, Xueli has a contract with the Zebedee Talent modeling agency, which seeks to make models with disabilities and genetic disorders visible. Xueli wants to be able to be an agent of change when it comes to how people with albinism are treated, and modeling gives her the opportunity to do just that.

People tell me that I have to accept my past, but I don’t see it that way. I think it is necessary to analyze and understand the things that happened to me, but it is not necessary to accept them. I will not accept that there are children being killed for their albinism. I want to change the world.

What is albinism?

Albinism is a genetic disorder that causes very little or no production of melanin, so people with this condition have very pale skin and very light eyes and hair. Due to the lack of melanin, they cannot be exposed to intense light for a long time, they tend to have visual impairments and are more prone to skin cancer. In many rural areas in different countries of the world, this is seen as a bad omen, as children suffer abuse, violence and abandonment.

On December 18, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly decided to proclaim June 13 as International Albinism Awareness Day.

Source: Okchicas

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