Storie
Girl abandoned at birth for her looks wants to prove the world wrong – she now models for Vogue
A baby girl born with albinism was abandoned by her parents in China because she looked “too strange” and left at an orphanage. Albinism, a condition that reduces melanin production, often leads to stigma. However, Xueli, as she was named, was later adopted by a loving family in the Netherlands.
At 11, Xueli was discovered by a Hong Kong photographer for a campaign called “perfect imperfections,” celebrating diverse beauty. Her photos went viral, and she eventually appeared on the cover of Vogue Italia in June 2019. Xueli believes that while people with differences are now more visible in media, it should be the norm. “Inner beauty is more important to me,” she says, focusing on voices rather than appearances.
