Jillian Mercado is a force to be reckoned with. For starters, she doesn’t let her wheelchair stop her. And after a muscular dystrophy diagnosis in her early teens, she decided on two important things: she wouldn’t let her disability hold her back from her dreams, and she would work to challenge ableist beauty standards.
Today, Jillian’s lengthy résumé is beyond impressive.
She’s a model and actress who has been featured on a billboard in Times Square and was the first Teen Vogue cover star with disabilities. She has also appeared in the series The L Word: Generation Q and has modeled in campaigns for Nordstrom and Target. But despite her incredible accomplishments, her most important title remains “advocate. ” Her goal is to promote greater representation in the fashion industry as well as in Hollywood. And so far, she’s made more than just a splash.
“I’m only 33 years old but I feel like I’ve lived many different lives,” Jillian told us over email. “I’ve had the privilege of being able to step out and step forward from my comfort zone; from boxes other people have placed me in just because of who I am and the intersectionality that makes me, me. It takes a lot of practice and inner strength to know how to do that. It’s not something that I learned in one day or in a month. It’s something I’ve practiced since I was a teenager. But every opportunity I’ve taken has been magical to say the least. ”
Jillian said she was born into a community of warriors and fighters, and it’s those people who have been there for her during periods of doubt and rejection. “I have such a beautiful and open community that helps me power through,” she said.
“Representation means the world to me and it’s something that I will fight for until the end of my own existence. I am a leader, a fighter, and a lover. I have a lot of empathy for the people and things that make our planet special. ”
In addition to those traits, Jillian is also a daughter, an older sister, a best friend, and a dog mom to two pups. “I’m extremely passionate about each of the communities I belong to, which are being a woman, having a disability, being queer, and being Latinx,” she said. “I’m inspired by people who not only look out for themselves but who also work toward the betterment of others – people who have been under-represented and unheard are my true, personal inspirations. ”
Choosing to surround herself with positive and supportive individuals has helped Jillian see the beauty in everything – and everybody – in her life. “Once you realize how beautiful and important every single part of what makes you special is, you’ll be stepping forward into a mindset of empathy and love for yourself and for everyone around you. ” To that end, Jillian has a few feel-good items that give her the confidence to be herself. View them ahead and discover why Jillian is such a fan.
To hear more from Jillian, check out The Step, our podcast in partnership with SOREL. Jillian is featured on episode one of season two.
