Bullied Leeds woman called 'thick and ugly' at school becomes model

A brave young woman, who was labelled ‘ugly’ by mean bullies at school and even told by a teacher that she ‘wouldn’t get far’ in life due to her disability, has now become a model.

Laura Shaw, 24, faced hurtful comments about her looks and learning disability throughout her school years, with unkind classmates calling her “thick” and “ugly”. She found it hard to concentrate and learn at school, and one teacher even told her she’d never “get far in life”.

But these harsh words only motivated Laura to chase her dream of becoming a model, and she’s now been featured on billboards and at fashion shows. Laura, a freelance model from Leeds said: “They called me gullible. Ugly. Thick. It’s terrible. Even a teacher said I wouldn’t get far in life.”

“I’m proving them wrong. Everyone can do it – no matter what.” Laura was born with learning disabilities, which meant she learned to walk late and struggled to chew her food until primary school. She shared that she was bullied for being in a ‘nurture class’, which supported those with learning disabilities. Laura said: “I got put down loads of times. It’s traumatising.”

Initially, Laura wanted to be an actress but started modelling in 2020 and fell in love with it. She has now modelled at fashion weeks in Leeds and attended Boohoo events, but still faces nasty trolls telling her she is a “fake model”.

She said: “I’m working hard. People say I am an inspiration. It doesn’t matter your disability.”

Laura, who still finds everyday tasks like paying bills challenging, is grateful for her supportive family. She shared: “I struggle with day to day life but I’m getting better.” Laura also has big dreams for the future, hoping to become a model for PrettyLittleThing. As she puts it: “That’s my main goal.”