Girl Abandoned By Parents For Her Looks Wants To Prove The World Wrong, Now She Models For Vogue

The influence of parents on a child’s life is profound. From birth, children depend on them for love, security, and the foundation of their growth and happiness. Without this support, their emotional and physical well-being can be deeply affected.
For 16-year-old Xueli Abbing, her journey began in heartbreak. Born in China with albinism, a rare genetic condition that reduces melanin in the skin, hair, and eyes, she was abandoned as an infant—left at the door of an orphanage because she was deemed “too different.”
Despite this cruel rejection, fate had something extraordinary in store for her.
A Name That Defined Her Beauty
The orphanage staff gave her the name Xueli, a name rich with meaning. Xue means “white as snow,” and Li means “beautiful.” It was a poetic reflection of the unique beauty she possessed, even in a world that initially failed to see it.
Albinism often subjects individuals to stigma, discrimination, and even violence. In some parts of the world, myths about albino individuals lead to horrific superstitions—with some being hunted for their supposed “magical” properties.
Xueli, however, was one of the lucky ones.
At a young age, she was adopted by a loving Dutch family, who embraced her differences and raised her with care and encouragement.
At just 11 years old, a remarkable opportunity changed her life. A designer from Hong Kong invited her to model in a campaign celebrating diverse beauty.
“She called the campaign Perfect Imperfections and asked if I’d like to be part of her fashion show,” Xueli recalled in an interview with BBC. “It was an amazing experience.”
A Rising Star in the Fashion World
While many people with albinism face exclusion, Xueli was breaking barriers.
However, she also faced challenges in the industry. Many albino models are typecast into fantasy roles, often depicted as angels or ghosts.
“It makes me sad when I see this,” she admitted.
But Xueli was determined to redefine beauty.
A London-based photographer saw her potential and treated her as a true model, not a novelty. Their breathtaking photoshoot caught the eye of Vogue Italia, leading to Xueli’s feature in their June 2019 issue.
“It took me a while to understand why people were so excited about the magazine,” she confessed. “At the time, I didn’t even know how important Vogue was!”
Changing the Face of Beauty
Xueli’s success is part of a larger movement toward inclusivity in fashion.
“There are still models who are very tall and extremely thin, but now we’re seeing more diversity in the media,” she said. “People with disabilities and differences are finally getting recognition. That’s great—but it should be normal.”
Living with impaired vision due to albinism, Xueli experiences the world differently.
“Maybe because I can’t see everything clearly, I focus more on people’s voices and what they have to say,” she reflected. “I care more about inner beauty.”
A Mission Bigger Than Modeling
For Xueli, modeling isn’t just about fashion—it’s about advocacy.
She is using her platform to educate the world about albinism, challenging harmful stereotypes and myths.
“It’s important to say **‘a person with albinism’ instead of ‘an albino,’” she explained. “We are not defined by our condition. We are people first.”
Her passion goes beyond awareness. She is fighting against the horrific killings of children with albinism in certain countries.
“I won’t accept a world where children are being killed just because they have albinism,” she declared. “I want to change that.”
A Bright Future Ahead
With grace, resilience, and courage, Xueli is proving that beauty comes in all forms.
Her journey—from abandonment to the runways of international fashion—is nothing short of inspirational.
She is not just a model.
She is a changemaker.
She is a survivor.
And she is redefining what it means to be beautiful.
We wish Xueli all the success in the world as she continues to break barriers and challenge perceptions.
Please SHARE her incredible journey and help spread her message of acceptance and inclusion!