World’s first pageant winner with Down’s syndrome, 19, is praised for ‘breaking down barriers’ as she struts down the catwalk live on This Morning
- Kate Grant, 19, won the Teen Ultimate Beauty Of The World pageant this month
- Teen from Northern Ireland is first model with Down’s syndrome to win an international competition
- Kate strutted down the catwalk on This Morning her crown and sash today
- She vowed to raise awareness of her condition and promote inclusion
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A beauty queen who became the first ever model with Down’s syndrome to win an international pageant has been branded an ‘inspiration’ by viewers.
Kate Grant, 19, took the top prize in the Teen Ultimate Beauty Of The World competition, held in Portadown, Northern Ireland, earlier this month.
Speaking on This Morning, Kate vowed to raise awareness of her condition and promote the ‘inclusion of young people with special needs’.
She then strutted down the catwalk to show off her model poses, before Eamonn Holmes invited her to take part in the fashion segment.
The moment left viewers ‘in awe’ of the young model, and praised her for ‘breaking down barriers’.
Beauty queen Kate Grant, 19, from Northern Ireland, who has Down’s syndrome strutted down the catwalk on This Morning on Thursday (pictured)
She took the top prize in the Teen Ultimate Beauty Of The World competition, held in Portadown, Northern Ireland, earlier this month. Pictured in a Facebook selfie
Kate, who appeared on This Morning wearing her crown and sash from the pageant, said she loved the ‘bling’ of the competition.
When Ruth Langsford asked her what she wanted to achieve, she responded: ‘Awareness for Down’s syndrome and disabilities, people with special needs.
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‘The inclusion of young adults, young children with special needs.’
Her mother Deidre, who also appeared on the show, said she had reservations about entering Kate into the pageant, but realised she couldn’t hold her daughter back.
This Morning viewers branded her an ‘inspiration’ on Twitter (picture), with one saying she was ‘breaking down the barriers of beauty’
She said: ‘Her aspiration to walk the catwalk was so strong I had to go with her, I had to support her in what she really had a passion for.
‘It was always in the back of my mind that there would be a lot of negative feedback, but once Kate gets on the catwalk she brings something very special to the catwalk. She has a personality where she engages with the crowd, she oozes confidence.’
Eamonn asked Kate to model on the catwalk to show him how she walked during the studio.
She confidently strutted down the runway with her hand on her hip and blew kisses to the crowd.
On This Morning Kate vowed to raise ‘awareness’ of her condition and promote the inclusion of young people with disabilities. Pictured: Kate winning her corwn last month
Her mother Deidre said she had reservations about entering Kate into the pageant, but knew how much she wanted to do it. Pictured on This Morning with Kate
Deidre said her daughter ‘oozes confidence’ when she walks down the catwalk pageants. Pictured together on This Morning today
Her appearance on This Morning was praised by viewers, with one tweeting: ‘What an amazing, beautiful lady Kate is.’
‘Kate is beautiful and so well spoken! Yes to more young women like this!’ another posted.
A third said: ‘I absolutely LOVE Kate. What an inspirational young lady. Showing disability doesn’t hold you back. She’s amazing.’
The Teen Ultimate Beauty Of The World competition celebrates diversity and is open to all; whatever their weight, height, ability or marital status.
Kate walked out with her hand on her hip wearing her sash and crown as she walked out on the catwalk on This Morning (pictured)
The teenager was stunned to discover she had beaten off 40 others to win the pageant crown. Pictured on the catwalk during the pageant
Kate has wanted to be a model since she was 13, but struggled to find agency work. Pictured on This Morning today
It also supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a charity that helps fulfill wishes to children with life-threatening conditions.
Forty candidates from around the world took part in the pageant, with Kate representing her native Northern Ireland.
After an interview with a panel of judges, Kate took to the catwalk in a number of themed-outfits, including jeans and white T-shirt for the casual look, a black and white cocktail dress for the formal round and a sparkling, turquoise sequinned dress for the Time to Shine category.
Kate has wanted to be a model since she was 13 and enjoys dabbling with make-up, clothes and fashion.
The Teen Ultimate Beauty Of The World competition celebrates diversity and is open to all; whatever their weight, height, ability or marital status. Pictured on This Morning today
Eamonn Holmes led Kate out onto the This Morning catwalk by hand (pictured) after he asked her to show off her model moves
Kate will spend the next year attending photoshoots and helping with a hospital toy drive. Pictured in one of her pageant dresses
She has previously modelled at Belfast Fashion Week and for boutiques in her home town, in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, but despite mum Deirdre emailing her photographs to agencies, she struggled to get any work – something she believes was due to having Down’s Syndrome.
Having been crowned the winner, Kate will be involved in photoshoots throughout the year and participate as a judge and mentor at next year’s final.
She will also be involved in a toy drive for poorly children at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
WHAT IS DOWN’S SYNDROME?
Down’s syndrome is a genetic condition that typically causes some degree of learning disability and certain physical characteristics.
Symptoms include:
- Floppiness at birth
- Eyes that slant down and out
- A small mouth
- A flat back of head
Screening tests can uncover Down’s syndrome during pregnancy but are not completely accurate.
It is caused by an extra chromosome in a baby’s cell due to a genetic change in the sperm or egg.
The risk increases according to the age of the mother.
A 20-year-old woman has around a one in 1,500 chance of having a baby with Down’s syndrome.
Women in their 40s have a one in 100 chance.
There is no evidence women can reduce their risk.
Down’s syndrome does not have a cure.
Treatment focuses on supporting the patient’s development.
People with Down’s syndrome are more at risk of health complications such as heart disorders, hearing problems, thyroid issues and recurrent infections.
Source: NHS Choices
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