Ellie Goldstein

Ellie Goldstein
Born	Ellie Jade Goldstein (2001-12-18) 18 December 2001 (age 23) Ilford, London, England
Occupations	Model actress
Years active	2018–present
Television	Malory Towers

Ellie Jade Goldstein (born 18 December 2001) is an English model and actress. She was the first model with Down syndrome to feature on the cover of Vogue , and appear in a campaign for Gucci. In 2025, she joined the cast of the BBC series Malory Towers as Nancy Maher.

Early life

Ellie Jade Goldstein was born on 18 December 2001 in Ilford, London to Mark and Yvonne Goldstein (née Slater), a Jewish family. ^{[1] [2] [3]} She has Down syndrome and underwent cardiac surgery when she was five months old to close holes in her heart. ^[4]

Career

Goldstein is represented by Zebedee Management ^[5] and has been modelling since she was 15. ^[6] She studied performing arts and has appeared in campaigns for brands including Nike, Vodafone, and Superdrug. ^[7]

In November 2019, Gucci and Vogue Italia scouted Goldstein during the Photo Vogue Festival as part of their digital editorial on “Unconventional Beauty. The photo was taken by photographer David PD Hyde.” ^{[8] [9] [10]} Goldstein is the first model with a disability to represent the Gucci brand and model their beauty products. ^{[11] [12]} Goldstein has appeared on both Good Morning Britain and Loose Women on several occasions, and in April 2023, Goldstein was interviewed on This Morning after the first Barbie doll with Down syndrome was launched by Mattel. ^[13] In September 2023, Goldstein released her autobiography Against All Odds, and the following year released Ellie, a children's book about inclusivity and growing up with Down syndrome. ^[14]

In April 2025, Goldstein appeared on The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off . ^[15] Goldstein appeared on In July 2025, Goldstein made her debut in the BBC historical drama series Malory Towers , in which she played the role of Nancy Maher, the niece of Matron Kathleen (Ashley McGuire). ^[16]

In August 2025 she was confirmed as a competitor in Series 23 of Strictly Come Dancing. ^[17]

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2021	Denzel	Cathy	Short film	[18]
2021, 2024	Good Morning Britain	Herself	Guest; 2 episodes	[19]
2022, 2025	Loose Women	Herself	Guest; 2 episodes	[20]
2023	This Morning	Herself	Guest; 1 episode	[13]
2025	The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off	Herself	Contestant; 1 episode	[21]
2025	Malory Towers	Nancy Maher	Series regular	[22]
2025	Strictly Come Dancing	Herself	Contestant; Series 23	[23]

References

1. Delgado, Kasia (19 September 2023). "A nurse suggested I abandon my Down's syndrome baby – but we've had a life of joy with Ellie". i . Retrieved 1 August 2025.
2. "An 18-year-old Jewish model with Down syndrome - Gucci's latest superstar". The Jerusalem Post. 18 June 2020. Archived from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
3. "Ellie Goldstein, the breakout star of Gucci Beauty, on why we need to see more models with disabilities in campaigns". Vogue India. 7 July 2020. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
4. "Vogue model Ellie Goldstein: 'Doctors said I wouldn't walk or talk'". BBC News . 31 December 2023. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
5. "Ellie Goldstein". zebedee. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
6. "Teen model with Down syndrome gets world's attention as one of new faces for Gucci Beauty". iol.co.za. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
7. "Model with Down's syndrome becomes first to pose for Gucci Beauty". Her.ie. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
8. "Teen model with Down syndrome featured in new Gucci ad campaign". TODAY.com. 14 July 2020. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
9. "Gucci Beauty's Campaign Featuring Model with Down Syndrome Celebrates Diversity". Vogue Arabia. 5 July 2020. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
10. "18-Year-Old Model with Down Syndrome Featured in Gucci Beauty Editorial: 'I Feel So Lucky'". PEOPLE.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
11. America, Good Morning. "Teen model with Down syndrome stars in Gucci Beauty campaign". Good Morning America. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
12. LUXUS + (8 July 2020). "Gucci commits to diversity and chooses Ellie Goldstein, a model with Trisomy 21 syndrome, for its new beauty campaign - Luxus Plus". luxus-plus.com/en/. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
13. "The first ever Barbie with Down's syndrome has launched". ITVX . Retrieved 1 August 2025.
14. Goldstein, Ellie (22 September 2023). "Ellie Goldstein's new book has a powerful message about love and heartbreak". Glamour UK. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
15. Mensah, Katelyn. "Who is Ellie Goldstein? Great Celebrity Bake Off 2025 contestant | Radio Times". Radio Times . Retrieved 1 August 2025.
16. "Ellie Goldstein makes acting debut in iconic drama Malory Towers". BBC . Retrieved 1 August 2025.
17. Glynn, Paul; Youngs, Ian (13 August 2025). "Model and actress Ellie Goldstein to make Strictly history". BBC News . Retrieved 13 August 2025.
18. "Denzel". Slam Dance. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
19. Foster, Jo (3 May 2024). "Embracing Diversity: Ellie Goldstein". Kinderkey. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
20. "Loose Women, Wednesday 25 June 2025". STV . Retrieved 1 August 2025.
21. "Episode Five - Ellie Goldstein, Gloria Hunniford, Jim Howick, Jamali Maddix | Channel 4". Channel 4 . Retrieved 1 August 2025.
22. "Model with Down's syndrome 'beyond excited' to join Malory Towers". BBC News . 24 June 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
23. "Ellie Goldstein is the ninth celebrity contestant announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2025". BBC Media Centre. 13 August 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.