10 Groundbreaking Down Syndrome Influencers and Advocates You Should Be Following
March 24, 2026
From runway models to cooking channels to Ironman finish lines to global advocacy stages, these individuals with Down syndrome are building platforms, breaking barriers, and showing the world what is possible.
The list of influencers and advocates below makes one thing clear: people with Down syndrome are shaping conversations across industries. They are modeling for global fashion brands, appearing in major films, building online communities around food and fitness, and advocating for disability rights on international stages.
Each person highlighted here has pursued their passions while using their platform to challenge assumptions about disability, expand representation, and inspire the next generation.
Trailblazers with Down Syndrome to Follow
1. Sofía Jirau — Fashion model and global influencer
Puerto Rican Sofía Jirau made history as the first Victoria’s Secret model with Down syndrome, appearing in the brand’s Love Cloud campaign. Her rise in fashion has been paired with a vibrant social media presence that blends professional modeling with everyday moments and self-expression.
By occupying one of fashion’s most visible platforms, Jirau has helped broaden global conversations about beauty, inclusion, and disability representation. You can view her website here.
Follow Sofía on Instagram: @sofiajirau
2. Mia Armstrong — Actress, voice actor, and author
Mia Armstrong became the first child with Down syndrome to voice a cartoon character, lending her voice to Eon on the animated series Action Pack.
She regularly speaks about confidence, creativity, and embracing difference. Armstrong is also the author of the children’s book I Am a Masterpiece, written to encourage kids of all abilities to take pride in their stories and identities. You can view more children’s book on disability and inclusion here.
Follow Mia on Instagram: @count_mia_in
3. Anya Litvinova — Fitness influencer and inclusion advocate
Anya Litvinova shares her passion for movement and creativity through fitness videos, art, and advocacy on social media. Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, Litvinova’s story includes years of separation from her sister before the family reunited in the United States amid the escalating war in Ukraine.
Today, she and her sister, Valeriia, share their fitness journeys online while promoting inclusion and acceptance. Litvinova’s platform celebrates strength, creativity, and the importance of building communities where everyone belongs.
Follow Anya on Instagram: @anyundik
4. Chris Nikic — Endurance athlete and motivational speaker
Chris Nikic became the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman triathlon, finishing within the official cutoff time, a milestone that fundamentally shifted perceptions of athletic potential within the disability community. Through speaking engagements and social media, Nikic shares training insights, mindset lessons, and messages about consistency and goal setting, inspiring audiences well beyond the world of endurance sports.
Follow Chris on Instagram: @chrisnikic
5. Adam Libby — Chef and cooking content creator
Adam Libby has built a following across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok with upbeat cooking videos that invite viewers into the kitchen with him. Many of his videos begin with the phrase “Let’s make…” before launching into recipes ranging from game-day snacks to creative desserts.
Through his cooking content, Libby shows how food can bring people together while encouraging others to explore new recipes and ingredients.
Follow Chef Adam on Instagram: @chefadamlibby
6. Madison Tevlin — Actress, model, and podcast host
Canadian advocate Madison Tevlin is known for using humor and authenticity to challenge stereotypes about Down syndrome. Her social media bio reads: “I have Down syndrome and it’s the least interesting thing about me.” She has stated that one of her key goals is to challenge misunderstandings and is capable of much more than people typically expect of her based on her disability.
Tevlin hosts the podcast 21 Questions, where she interviews guests ranging from artists to activists. In 2025, she was named to the BBC’s 100 Women list, recognizing her influence as a storyteller and advocate pushing conversations about disability representation forward.
Follow Madison on Instagram: @madisontevlin
7. Madeline Stuart — Model, entrepreneur, and designer
Madeline Stuart is an international model and fashion designer who has walked runways at New York, Paris, and London Fashion Weeks, among dozens of others worldwide. Through modeling and her work in fashion design, Stuart has helped expand conversations about disability, beauty, and what it means to build a career in fashion on your own terms.
Follow Madeline on Instagram: @madelinesmodelling_
8. GiGi Gianni — Global advocate and inspiration behind GiGi’s Playhouse
GiGi Gianni is the namesake and Chief Inspiration Officer of GiGi’s Playhouse, a global network that now supports families in dozens of countries. Through speeches, performances, and advocacy work, including appearances at the United Nations, Gianni has become a powerful voice for the disability community.
Her message is simple but impactful: everyone deserves to be heard, valued, and included.
Follow GiGi on Instagram: @gigigianni
9. Sophia Sanchez — Actress and storyteller
Sophia Sanchez was born in Ukraine and spent her early childhood in an orphanage before being adopted by a United States’ family. She later appeared in the film The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, bringing representation for actors with Down syndrome to one of the world’s most recognizable film franchises.
Sanchez also shares her story through public speaking and a widely viewed TED Talk called The Power of Bravery, encouraging audiences to rethink what disability and possibility look like.
Follow Sophia on Instagram: @the.sofia.sanchez
10. The Cast of Born This Way — Reality television figures and self-advocates
The Emmy Award–winning docuseries follows young adults with Down syndrome as they pursue careers, relationships, and independent lives. Cast members including Sean McElwee, Rachel Osterbach, and John Tucker have extended their influence beyond television through advocacy and social media influence. Their visibility has meaningfully shifted public understanding of adulthood, self-determination, and leadership within the Down syndrome community.
Follow some of the cast on Instagram:
Sean McElwee: @sean_from_born_this_way
John Tucker: @bornthiswayjt
Expanding What the World Sees
Across fashion, film, advocacy, podcasts, and social media, these individuals are reshaping public understanding of what people with Down syndrome can accomplish. Their platforms highlight talent, creativity, and leadership while creating space for future generations to see themselves represented.
Following their work is one small way to help ensure those stories continue to reach wider audiences.
How RMHS Supports People with Down Syndrome
Rocky Mountain Human Services (RMHS) supports individuals with Down syndrome and their families through several program areas that focus on connection, stability, and well-being. These services help people access resources, navigate complex systems, and find the supports that are just right for their lives and goals.
To learn more about the services that RMHS offers individuals, visit our website. To receive more blogs like this one, subscribe to our monthly Community Newsletter.
