Vogue model Ellie Goldstein: 'Doctors said I'd never talk' due to Down's syndrome

When Ellie Goldstein, now 22, appeared on the cover of British Vogue at the age of 18, she made history as the first model with Down’s syndrome to front the UK’s prestigious fashion title. Since then, she has modelled for several major campaigns, including Adidas; written a book about her life called Against All Odds and just released her first children’s book, Ellie: An inspiring story about inclusivity and growing up with Down Syndrome.

Having recently finished filming her first acting role for the BBC’s Malory Towers series, we met Ellie at her Essex home to talk about her modelling career, her mindset and how she aims to inspire other young women...

You have so much energy and your presence lights up the room. Do you ever find it hard being in the public eye?

No, I love it and my family are so supportive of what I do so they keep me grounded. Doctors said I would never be able to walk or talk or learn but I have proven them wrong. I really am so proud of myself and just want to sing and dance, twerk and twirl.

You're a great role model for other young people. How have you found the confidence to embrace the world of modelling, which can often be a tough industry?

I’m lucky in that I've always been a confident person which I think is a very important thing to be as it lets you be your real self. Being able to just be me is enough. Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to be famous – I was always dancing and performing, so when Vogue put me on their cover it was like a dream come true. I couldn’t stop screaming in excitement and I cried for hours!

I found out I'd made the cover when I was at college – my teachers and friends were hugging me and telling me how proud they were of me. My best advice to people is to never give up on your dreams as I dreamt of this moment happening, but never expected it to actually happen to me.

Congratulations on the publication of Ellie, a new book inspiring young children to be free to be whoever they are...

Thank you and yes, I can’t believe it! I found it very relaxing to write and I wanted it to be an uplifting picture book that will inspire youngsters to embrace who they are. I hope the bright pictures and the story about me and my life encourages children to understand that everyone is different and that they should chase their dreams and never give up.

Last year saw the arrival of the first Barbie doll with Down’s syndrome. How did you feel when you helped launch it?

I felt amazing and just so proud. I kept looking at it and thinking it was so beautiful. Holding it in my hand made me speechless for once and I thought it was such a great step to highlight the importance of inclusivity. To know that children can play with the doll and be aware we are all different is such a good thing. I grew up playing with Barbie dolls and remember giving them funny names, so to see a doll who looks like me was incredible.

As an ambassador for Mencap, your role is to help people understand what it’s like to have a learning disability. How have you done this?

It helps that I have an outgoing personality as it means people feel they can come up and talk to me. I want people to have an acceptance of everyone. Those who don’t understand what it is like [to have Down’s syndrome] are maybe ignorant, but I’m lucky in that I’ve never had any online bullying or trolling.

The worst thing that happened to me was that my Instagram account got hacked which was so annoying as I have such a nice community on there but fortunately I got it back.

How does it feel to appear in Mallory Towers? Will you be excited to see yourself on screen when the series airs next year?

When I heard I’d got the part of one of the kids called Nancy, I screamed so much in excitement that I hurt my throat. I couldn’t stop shaking when my agency told me and I remember my heart was thumping in my chest – it was as though my dreams had come true.

I’ve been filming in Devon for the past few weeks and the crew have been so incredible to me. I was a little bit tired at the beginning, but I never stopped laughing every single day. I wasn’t nervous or scared in front of the camera, but it helped that a lovely lady told me I could squeeze her hand if I ever felt worried on set.

As a model, author and actress, you’ve already achieved so much, so young. What’s next for you?

I loved filming so I want to do more with Mallory Towers, but my dream is to be on Strictly as I love dancing more than anything. I went to watch the show last year and just wanted to be on the stage twirling around. I also love travelling and have modelled all over the world, including Germany, Sweden, Milan and Berlin.

When I model, I love walking out and having my hair and make-up done beforehand, which feels fabulous. I just sit there on my phone in the dressing room and enjoy the experience. And, of course, getting to wear beautiful clothes is amazing.

Nothing fazes me – once I was wearing a Gucci dress backstage at a show and tripped over my high heels and went flying. I just got up and twirled around, once I realised I hadn’t hurt my ankle. I just want people to be confident and go out there and rock it, as being yourself is so important.

Ellie Goldstein is an ambassador for the charity Mencap and appears in their campaign film on Myth Busters, challenging misconceptions about people who live with a learning disability.

Read more

Mum of little girl with Down’s syndrome 'proud' as daughter lands modelling campaign (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)

A Barbie with Down's syndrome is already selling out. Here's how children with the genetic disorder are reacting (Yahoo Life US, 5-min read)

Soon-to-be aunt with Down's syndrome used toy doll to get used to babies (SWNS, 1-min read)