Maju de Araújo: breaking standards and representativeness on the catwalks

Maju de Araújo, 20 years old, is further proof that standards are there to be broken. As a journalist, I apologize for the cliché at the outset. But how to talk about the young woman with Down syndrome and short stature who became an international catwalk model, if not extolling her achievement in breaking the barriers imposed by society?

There were only three years between leaving a hospitalization that almost took her life and becoming the first Brazilian model with Down to parade inside and outside the country – which made her reap not only fruits for herself, but also for other people with disabilities. in view of its representativeness around the world.

On the day we talked, Maria Julia arrived at the interview with a lot of spell and high spirits, bringing a sweeter side full of lightness. It didn’t take long, however, for her to show that the attitude that rocks her walk down the catwalks and that has helped her to conquer more and more the world of fashion is also present in her personal life.

“Mom, can I talk? Thank you!”, she said to “take the reins” as soon as she realized that Adriana Araujoher mother, was preparing to answer a question directed at her.

It was even so that Maju, along with his mother and older sisters, Ana Lua It is Larissahas paved the way for success.

“Maju is what she is thanks to her insistence on her space, on not lowering her head in any way. And it’s all her credit! She’s the one on the catwalk, she’s the one doing the advertising. I just believed her. She just needed it”, said Adriana.

Below, you can check out the chat from Good shape with Maju de Araújo and Adriana Araújo.

– (Pedro Machado/Mynd8/)

Wellness and beauty today

In the midst of a busy professional routine, Maju has his tricks to relax body and mind. Music, training and lots of water are part of the rituals that help her experience moments of well-being.

Despite enjoying a more relaxed moment, however, Maju admits that she loves it and does not give up being well-groomed, with makeup, tidy hair and manicured nails. For this, she also has the support of her family, especially her older sister, Larissa.

When we talk about well being, what do you like to do?

Maju: I like to work out and I do bodybuilding whenever I can. I also like to diet, sing and listen to music. My favorite singer is Michael Jackson!

Adriana: When we are traveling a lot, we try to adapt her physical activities. Now I’m going to seek the help of a personal trainer to give her a workout for when she’s out of the context of the house, so she doesn’t stay without doing any activity, because it’s very important.

What are your tricks for being calmer and more relaxed in times of stress?

Maju: I’m a little nervous. But I like to drink tea and meditate. I also drink a lot of water. I love water!

Do you consider yourself a vain person? Do you have a face, body and hair care routine?

Maju: I love to do make-up and do my hair. My sister who does my makeup, produces my looks. I also do my nails, I like them long, with elongation, very chic.

What was it like changing your hair color to red?

Maju: I liked. I have to dye my hair again, but now I want it colored, with a colored streak down here .

Do you like change? Do not be afraid?

Maju: I’m just a little scared, but I like it!

Maju de Araújo faced prejudice to become a model (Pedro Machado/Mynd8/)

career on the rise

First Brazilian woman with Down syndrome to become an ambassador of L’Oréal Pariscatwalk model milan fashion weekcover of Forbes on the list Under 30 of 2021highlighted in Sao Paulo Fashion Week in 2022 and 2023…

In just three years of work, Maju achieved great achievements as a model and, consequently, as a militant for the cause of people with disabilities, due to his representativeness.

With her 1.49 meters tall, the young woman, in fact, broke barriers and prejudices when crossing catwalks inside and outside Brazil, proving that this is a space in which all types of people fit. And that, she says, is just the beginning.

Have you always wanted to be a model, Maju?

Maju: Yes, since I was little!

Adriana: She has always had a desire to model. We have very old photos, from when we participated in some church retreats, and in those places she modeled, putting a napkin around her waist, all stylish.

How did you feel the first time you stepped on the catwalk?

Maju: I was thrilled, very happy and with butterflies in my stomach. I cried a lot, but it was really cool, that’s all! And then I never stopped.

What were the biggest difficulties faced in that time as a model?

Adriana: The hardest part that Maju had to face was prejudice. Prejudice is still the biggest obstacle of all to opportunities. It is not common, yet, to see a catwalk casting with people with Down syndrome or another disability, so we feel that we are still a long way from what true inclusion is.

You have achieved great professional achievements. What was it like to break these barriers in the fashion world, which still follows old standards?

Maju: I was very emotional at the Milan show, I cried a lot too. They applauded me there. I was too happy!

Adriana: We know that in European countries the abortion rate of Down syndrome pregnancies is very high. So, being there during this fashion week was very important, because for us it is a very difficult place to access. We saw Maju as a David in the midst of Goliath. She breaking, in fact, this whole label. People turned to look at her. Nobody expected it, right? There at Milan fashion week, a person with Down syndrome, with a very short stature…

How did you deal with the “no” you already received?

Adriana: It was very difficult. I never saw impossibilities in Maju, quite the contrary. In childhood, everything becomes much easier, but as they grow up, you are faced with veiled prejudice. And then it’s very sad, because you see through eyes… But I, today, as a militant together with Maju, I discovered that we have to fight for our rights. Today she is what she is thanks to our insistence on her space and for not lowering our heads at all.

Was there any very striking moment of prejudice suffered by Maju?

Adriana: I positioned myself for the first time in the modeling school. We wanted her to enter this market in fact, formed. They said they weren’t adapted for it, they didn’t want to accept it, but I said that if they didn’t accept it, I would sue them. I became a lioness for the first time, but inside I was crying to go through it again.

She graduated and it was beautiful! They didn’t do anything for her. They patted me on the back and wished me a good walk. These things were so important! They gave me determination, gas, so that we could show that we were going to make it. And it’s all her credit! She’s the one on the catwalk, she’s the one doing the advertising. I just believed it. She just needed this.

Maju, what is your big dream for your career?

Maju: Walk the runway at Paris Fashion Week! And I would also like to have the experience of working as an actress, acting in a series.

– (Pedro Machado/Mynd8/)

Out of the fashion world

Despite becoming a runway star, Maju also has dreams and desires common to other 20-year-olds.

In this respect, for now, the plans are already well defined: enjoy family and friends, date and live abroad with the future husband.

How is your relationship with your family? Do you get along with your sisters?

Maju: We are friends. we never fight . Oh! My sister Larissa taught me to speak in pounds, look: “I love you, sister” and “beautiful” .

During this period of work, did you meet or make friends with other people with Down syndrome?

Adriana: Maju was out of the context of inclusion for a long time. She went through several stages in terms of health, underwent heart surgery, a coma… So she lived a roller coaster. Now that she works, she has autonomy, it is the moment when she is starting to prepare this opportunity for connections.

It was the first time she slept alone at a friend’s house, which was the ivydaughter of Romário . Now, it was her first party alone with friends with Down. I didn’t go, I wasn’t allowed to go . This for me was very challenging and very important, because I always put Maju in a protective dome because of looks, because sometimes a little sensitivity is lacking, right?

And have you ever dated? Do you have a desire to have a family?

Maju: I dated yes, but now I’m single . I’m flirting… I’d like to get married and go far away with my husband .

Adriana: She’s dying to see the back of me. I’m the annoying one, who sets the rules, sets the time to wake up, I like her to work out… Then she wants to see me away . I know her limitations and I know she needs the routine, the daily activities for her to evolve more and more. I think that the socialization that comes from this routine is also very important, because you learn about limits. When you are living only in your family context, you are not confronted. And when you’re confronted, it’s very important, for everyone. So we learn to respect, learn the limits.

PHOTOS: Pedro Machado/Mynd8/@melinatavarescomunicacao