Sofia Jirau: Who is Victoria Secret's First Model With Down Syndrome?

Sofia Jirau recently made headlines worldwide for making history as the first Victoria's Secret model with Down Syndrome. She joined 17 other women in launching the new campaign of the celebrated lingerie brand.

In her Instagram, Jirau proudly introduced herself as the first Victoria's Secret model with Down Syndrome, and she has been inspiring the "world" as she accomplished her dreams. In her interview with NBC, Jirau also expressed her gratitude to the lingerie brand, "for seeing me as a model who has #NoLimits and making me part of the inclusive Love Cloud Collection campaign."

The campaign called "No Limits"

She launched a Spanish-language campaign called "No Limits" or "Sin Limites," which demonstrates the capacity of people with Down Syndrome and educates people about the condition.

Down Syndrome or Trisomy 21 is the most common genetic condition in which a baby is born with an extra chromosome. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the extra chromosome affects how the body and brain develop, causing physical or mental developmental delays for babies or kids with Down Syndrome.

Jirau proudly said that people with Down Syndrome have no limits "inside and out." She further explained that people with the condition could go to school, get a job, and own a business.

The second Puerto Rican featured in Victoria's Secret's campaign

After launching her modeling career in 2019 in Puerto Rico and debuting at the New York Fashion Week, which she said was a proud moment as she was one of the few models with Down syndrome featured in the event, Jirau became known for her charisma and infectious personality.

She joined Victoria's Secret after the company decided to veer away with the iconic images of Victoria's Secret Angels to appeal to women of all types. The campaign also stars plus-size model Paloma Elsesser and the brand's first transgender model Valentina Sampaio. Other models include US soccer champion Megan Rapinoe, actress Priyanka Jonas and journalist Amanda de Cadenet.

Having Jirau and the new models is a "major moment" for the lingerie brand, as it has previously faced backlash for its lack of diversity among its models. Jirau can be seen in Victoria's Secret ad wearing a pink bra, her favorite color, and saying, "I love it, I love it. Victoria's Secret, I love it!."

Love for Sports and Healthy Food, and Close Family Ties

Jirau does weightlifting and plays volleyball, which she calls her "favorite sport." She also loved to dance. She took ballet classes and said she wanted to dance on stage as a kid. She fuels herself with healthy food like leafy greens and proteins and avoids pizza, sweets, and fried foods.

The new Victoria's Secret model has posted on numerous occasions her appreciation for the unwavering support of her family in her endeavors. Jirau is exceptionally close and often seen with her mother, father, two younger brothers, and an older sister.

The model is also a fashion designer and has launched an online store called Allavet in 2019. The store sells everything from t-shirts and mugs to baseball hats.