Sep 14 2007
Maddison Gabriel 12 year old Model
I caught the late news last night, which had a story about a 12 year old school girl, Maddison Gabriel, being chosen as “The Face” of the Gold Coast Fashion Week.
Undeniably, Maddison is a most beautiful young girl, tall, very thin and certainly looking much older than her years (she turns 13 on Sunday). But the operative word here is “girl“.
Contenders for the position ranged up to 27 years old. The prize, which included a modelling contract with “Ugly People Modelling Agency” ( WTF?), was awarded in a bar. Apparently, organisers had no idea how young she was. I think they should make it their business.
Both Maddison and her family are thrilled at the opportunity. Maddison’s mother, Michelle, claims she is “very mature” and a “woman in her own right”. In certain cultures and many years ago, a thirteen year old might have been referred to as a woman, but surely not today.
Michelle Gabriel slams critics, saying it’s not about Maddison looking sexy, but fashionable, and points out she always chaperones her daughter.
Maddison claims 12 year olds should be able to model. It’s a tough call. Sure 12 year old girls are allowed to act and perform, but what does it say to society when we dress girls up, layer the make up on and present them to the world in an adult fashion?
Further Reading:
What do you think? Would you allow this for your 13 year old daughter?
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PLEASE NOTE: The I’m Maddison Gabriel Blog at
http://maddison-gabriel.blogspot.com/
is most definitely NOT Maddison Gabriel. It is someone pretending to be Maddison.
92 Responses to “Maddison Gabriel 12 year old Model”
Hiya, I agree on that one. This is ridiculous, she’s a ‘girl’ not a woman, and her mum seems to be enjoying the publicity with her pic right beside her daughter in a number of stories going around. My daughter is 13 and by my estimation more beautiful than Maddison, but there is no way I’d allow this. Kids grow up too fast, I’m keeping my kids as “kids” as long as possible. The ‘Entertainment’ community is rife with creeps and users, and even with her mum around Maddison is vunerable to the any kind of corruption, it happens all the time. Ms. Maddison needs to re evaluate her priorities in regards her daugthers well being. What she’s doing isn’t necessary for her future. (PS. I agree with John Howard on this)
Thanks for my chance to comment on this stupid occurence.
Hi Kara
You raise some interesting points about the entertainment community. There’s also the unhealthy obsession with weight and appearance – surely spending a lot of time with other models wouldn’t help.
My daughter is 14 and just starting to wear a bit of make-up and taking an interest in fashion. I wouldn’t let her loose in that environment either.
What surprises me is when I see young girls in the street all “tarted up” – makes me think “Your parents let you dress like that”? Surely parental control has to last a bit longer that that.
Thanks for your comment.
I’m horrified. Mind you I was 27 (hehe) before I got into makeup and clothes. There’s something to be said for raising tomboy’s.
I have no problem with a 12 year old modelling, but I have a problem with a 12 year old a) working, b) working in a licenced premises (that she can’t legally enter most of the time), c) being made up to look older, d) being put in a position of being sexually attractive.
Most guys would look at her and have sexual thoughts. Do you want anyone, let alone 30, 40 or 50 year old men thinking sexual thoughts about your 13 year old daughter? Me either.
They can claim all they want that it’s not about sex, but fashion, but when a 12/13 year old is made up to look 16+ it’s about sex, no matter which way you spin it.
Kin’s feeling quite opinionated today, and feels strongly about this issue!
Hi Kin
“Most guys would look at her and have sexual thoughts. Do you want anyone, let alone 30, 40 or 50 year old men thinking sexual thoughts about your 13 year old daughter? Me either.”
14-15 year old boys at school having those thoughts are bad enough, no need for a wider audience….
I think we should feel strongly about this issue.
This comment has been removed
Hi Kelly
It’s really interesting to hear your opinion, being the same age as Maddison [edited}
Maybe you, and your friends, can offer Maddie your support, help keep her grounded and watch out for any signs that she might be in trouble.
Thanks for your comment.
Im a 13 year old girl and i am turning 14 soon. I think that what ever Maddison decides to do is up to her and her parents. Modelling is a risky business but if she is willing to take that risk then i think that everyone should let her do what she wants to do.
I think Maddison should be proud of being the face of the gold coast fashion week. Good on you Maddison.
A lot of intelligent comments by thinking young girls. Totally inappropriate. Close her down.. Well done Mr Howard & Mr Rudd. If the parents are so desaperate for a dollar go to work!
I’m 16, and I have to say that I think that it is pretty low of Maddison’s mum to be supporting her daughter in this. It is not that long since I was that age and I can still remember what it was like. I also look at my little brother’s friends who fit into that age category. It doesn’t matter that Maddison looks like an 18 year old; mentally and emotionally she is not mature enough to be the face of the Gold Coast Fashion week, no matter what her mother says. I don’t think that there is too much of a problem with Maddie modelling at this age (there will always be the bitchy tweens, but hey, Maddie’s too ‘mature’ to be caught up in that!) , but I do feel that it is not neccesary for her to be ‘professionally’ modelling. Surely it is enough for her to have to deal with teenage models and that particular industry. It is pretty corrupting and the values that girls are taught aren’t really that desirable. You have to wonder what’s in it for the mum.
i think that maddison should be allowed to follow her dreams.
stop blaming the mum on everything. she’s done nothing wrong exept letting her daughter do what her dream is.
I know them quite very well and i know that michelle would not let her 13 year old daughter go out to parties and i know that wherever maddison is going she will go.
none of this drug crap will go on because maddison is mature enough to know that is discusting, whenever we are watcing tv and something about drugs or alchohol or annorexia or some crap like that is on Maddison will say thats discusting, how could poeple do that to themselves..
If any of this bulimia of drug stff goes on maddi will be sure to stop modelling, i assure you.
just let her follow what she has wanted to do for god knows how long.
Thank you
oh, bitch bitch moan, narrow-minded conservatives… her mother is absolutely right, it’s about fashion, not sex appeal. and it shouldn’t even be in the news, i’m sure there are far more important things. i’m sure i would have been thrilled to have an opportunity like that at age 12. i don’t see how it’s any different to, say, being a child actor. they’re shown all the time onscreen, and if lecherous old men jack off watching it that’s an unfortunate side effect and still probably worth the life experience she’ll gain from it. and if that’s the issue, we should be working towards say, tougher punishment for sex crimes, instead of trying to stop young people from pursuing their dreams.
this is what ABC has to say (a far more relible source than your howard-worshipping daily telegraphs and herald suns and national nine news)
Fashion week spokeswoman Kelly Wheiler says young people have a right to pursue their careers.
“We are not here to exploit young people here at all but actually to promote and encourage young people to follow their dreams for their future, and that is what we are trying to do with Maddison and we wish her all of the luck,” she said.
“Maddison will be a photographic model and she will not be a ramp model so she will be shown in couture clothes.
“She will not be wearing any bikini lines and we actually don’t have a problem with that.”
/ word
Its rediculious!
Is the new sexy a 12 year old girl?
Shes too young.. doesnt her parents realise?!?
Its good shes following her dreams, but still her parents should be thinking about the long term.. Shes a child growing up she shouldnt throw her life away so early..
Maddison is up for a big risk.. and shes going to be in a bar.. think of all the older men how will be there craking onto her.. I feel sorry for the poor girl..
Erhh im sorry fired up on this topic.. lol
I think its absolutly discgraceful. Maddison’s parents should also be ashamed of themselves for putting there daughter in this situation to start with.
No wonder we have so many young woman that grown up to be less than desirable members of the community.
If Maddison were to go ahead with this, she would be years ahead of her age in development and miss out on the important grounding that most young girls need these days.
Modelling is not a risky business as someone else has pointed out. It is a self absorbing, fake industry. Sure you can make some money out of it, but only with the correct management and a vision and set goals.
Gold Coast fashion week, like the rest of the fashion circuit in Australia is a joke.
Why would I want to look at a 13 year old female model the latest tacky and tasteless trends from the Gold Coast.
Act your age Maddison, you have another 4-5 years of getting away with anything you want, so enjoy it. You’ll have plenty of time to model and fall in love with your self when your 17 and end up like a large proporation of the rest of the female society(ok ‘m generalising a bit), self absorbed in yourself and pre occupied with material objects.
I hope her parents can manage to bring her up in a positive way and not just think about how they can get some publicity for themselves and pay the mortgage at the same time..
Coming as a recruitment professional, I come from the side that we all need experience to succeed.
For her, this experience is going to open up some doors for her, but it will also show that she has had experience.
That is generally what is needed to succeed in todays society.
So i can see from above that this is really 2 sided…
Well im kind of agreeing with everyone here..sure maddison should be able to follow her dreams, yadda yadda yadda but still there is something quite disturbing about a 13 year old dressing in quite skanky clothing in front of millions of people (many men might i add).
But i guess she’s free to do what she likes, i guess its her choice really to do this kind of thing. I dont really think thats what many people are concerned about though, more that now that everyone has seen that a 13 year old can be the face of Gold Coast Fashion Week, loads more are gonna want to do the same thing.
Being 14 myself, i know that it would be a great honour and really great experience. And i know that deep down theres probably some jelously, most teenagers look up to girls like Maddison and are continually being influenced by the media.
But i dont think its a really great choice, nothing personal to Maddison, she could do it if she wanted, i dont think thats the concern here. Now that other teenagers know that this is possible, theres gonna be alot more striving to be like Models and alot more trying to change to be like them.
i dont understand why everyone is making such a big deal, maddison wants to model so let her. it’s her parents choice and even if it is wrong, it dosnt concern anyone else.
We wouldn’t have a problem if girls Maddison’s age didn’t look up to skanks like Paris Hilton.
For some strange reason, girls around this age want to be like her. It is really a joke.
I am a 30 year old male and when I have children, god forbid a little girl, I would not subject her to this kind of crap. Yes, she will have goals and aspirations, but I will have the common sense to bring her up without the meaningless aspirations that some young woman have these days.
Independant, intelligent woman are few and far between these days.
Woman thay really on their looks and a rich man to support them are numerous and we are all getting tired of it.
Simon,
as a rich man (well, comfortably well off anyhow) I’d like to say that there aren’t a lot of women who rely purely on their looks and are seeking to be supported – unless I just don’t get invited to that sort of party
That said, the sexual objectification of children is a concern – I have three daughters myself (who live with their mother, she’d be the one with the engineering degree).
Is what is happening to Maddison wrong because she is 12 or because she is female? Is it any worse for a girl of 12 to be a Britney Spears than say, a 15 year old, or a 20 year old? The 20 year old case is legal, but is it any better? I’m not sure that there are any easy answers to this one. At what age can we say to a person of either gender that we can or cannot impinge upon their choice to dress like a streetwalker?
Cheers, Andrew
I’m a 49 year old dad and I agree with Jade. If it’s what Maddison wants to do and she has the support of her parents then good luck to her.
Modelling is a career based on looks, no different to basketball being a career based on physical attributes.
Of the millions of participants only a few get through to make a living out of their chosen modelling / sporting career.
So, if Maddison is showing promise in her chosen field at 12, and her parents are supporting her then I say “Go Maddi”. Just make sure you keep your schoolwork up to date.
[…] what’s important? 12 year old models or road deaths caused by truckies who are being worked to extremes by big supermarket chains? Kevin […]
I know Maddi, she’s one of my close friends. I enjoyed the company this weekend with her for her birthday celebration.
I know Maddi isn’t a “sexual” person she won’t go be stupid.
People who are saying stupid not to mention imatuar things about her being so “young” and modelling so what she’s a babe, and know’s what she wants and won’t take advantage of it.
Her Mother isn’t using her daughter for the attention, she’s supporting Maddison in this.
It’s Maddison’s life dont stuff it up with cruel newspapers etc.
thankyou.
HAHA!
Yeah if it wasnt for all these stanks in the world like the:
Paris Hiltons
Brittany Spears
Young girls wouldnt begin to act like them..
Shes a ‘kid’ growing up!
SHE SHOULD BE ENJOYING IT, WHILE IT LASTS!!! Im sure she will regret it one day!
Dont her parents have no shame?!
I am 15 years old and I interested in fashion and makeup- but find this extremely disturbing. How could anyone let their 12 year old child enter into that type of environment? It is filled with eating disorders and vanity-why should a little girl, who is barely even a teenager enter into modelling. It will give her an extremely negative view on life, if she starts modelling this young.
i know maddi, we were in the same class last year.
maddi is very mature for her age. she doesnt do stupid things.
people are should realise. that maddi is modelling because it is her dream to be an international model.
she is just taking advantage of the opportunities that are coming up.
yes, she is young, but shouldnt people be more worried about girls that sell their bodies for money, and stuff like that. not a young, beautiful girl that wants to model.
i dont agree that she should have to model in bars, but she is choosing to do it. its her life not anyone elses.
and people should stop thinking that she is only doing it for her parents to become famous and etc.
her parents are sticking by her daughter that wants to persue her dream. whats wrong with doing that??
thanks.
It’s fine if Maddison wants to be a model and get some experience. Why doesn’t she go after jobs modelling clothes for girls her own age? That seems to me a good way to pursue her dream.
The idea of a 12 year old in couture clothes that she can’t even afford to buy herself is ridiculous. Although she looks pretty, she does not look like a woman. She is quite clearly a young girl.
And what is a 12 year old doing in a bar? What kind of parents permit that?
The whole thing makes me wonder what kind of fashion is actually produced on the Gold Coast. Maybe not the sort of thing an adult woman would really want to wear.
Being almost the same age as this maddison girl (12 turning 13 in one or 2 weeks) i am absolutly appalled by this!
I dont not have a problem with the modelling industry; a actually am quite interested by it; watching america and australia’s next top model on a weekly basis. and i dont have a problem with 12 year olds modeling, this is only of course if they are modeling clothes for 12 YEAR OLDS! It is simply not right to have 12 year olds posing in WOMEN’S CLOTHING, IN A RATHER SHALLOW AND SEX ORIENTATED INDUSTRY! if I look around my class at school or any other year 8 class room in QLD, most of the 12, 13 or even 14 year olds could pass as year 5’s and are not particularly mature at all. It is the same with boys they are all shorter than you and could pass as year 4’s.
No matter how mature “maddison” is claimed by her mother to be, she is still way to imature to be put in this position of being idolised by middle- aged men espsecially.
overall everyone who deems this appropriate should really open their eyes to the fact that she isn’t even a teenager yet!!!!!! But still a mere child!! From my perspective being the same age it is simply lucicras and discusting!
I have to say that while I agree it is a very young age to enter this “business” so to speak, I DO agree with “mayumi’s” comment. Apart from that it is not catwalk, swimwear, or lingerie that she’ll be modelling [for now at least] or the “sex industry” that she is entering!
In other countries they make women cover/hide to some extent her personality, her beauty, and ultimately her importance or at least her ability [other than within her family] as a “serious identity!” All this to prevent weak minded males from being tempted by thoughts of flesh, we need to teach that ALL men, young or old need to know how to love and truly respect women, rather than hide women OR girls and making them feel the shame for “exposing” themselves.
Maddison is a gorgeous “young” female and I wish her the best.
Is it not inevitable that this was going to happen eventually when obviously the rules and regulations that are stipulated for a competition like this do not state that 12 yrs of age is too young. No one seems too mention anything about the judges or the event organisers for allowing this to happen in the first place. I congratulate Maddison and wish her all the best and also her management team that will have HER best interests at heart.
Steve
Well I have to say that I can’t believe that a family could even consider letting a 13 yr old get up on the catwalk and model with the adults, it is basically working in the Big League. I don’t have a problem with kids modelling, after all thats how we see various kids clothes in fashion, BUT the emphasis is on the word KID!!! This girl IS just a kid. She is going to be put in a world where men perve on woman in the fashion industry, and they do think dirty disgusting thoughts, and how any family can encourage those thoughts to even go through a mans head about there daughter, well what can I say. My question also is this, has her mother lead such a miserable life, so is now happy to push her daughter in the direction of publicity and attention, and she can NOW bask in her daughters limelight. This girl has now generated that much publicity that I am sure there would be many modeling agency’s out there that would be happy to snap her up, and offer her work with people HER OWN AGE. Let her grow up slowly, don’t rush her life, because life goes quick enough, and once you pass the younger years the rest just fly on by. Enjoy the young years while you can, as you spend MANY years being an adult and making decisions etc…. and I am sure we have all at one point in time all wished we were a child again So take it easy and just enjoy being a child.
First it start’s in the “modelling” industry… As we’ve all seen from videos on the internet of young girls who wants to be models… Then they learn, that nothing is for free in life…
It is so wrong for her to be 1) entered, and 2) chosen. Doesn’t anyone have any morals? Obviously not in this industry. Her mother should be totally ashamed of herself- allowing her child to be made up into a piece of meat for any sick people to lust over. The thought of this sickens me- Parents are meant to protect their children- not allow them to be prancing around in immodest and indecent clothing for anyone- (especially for all the world to see). I think the mother definitely is living through her daughter- at her daughters expense. Where is the father? and why is he allowing this-? Surely he knows a mans mind- why would any decent father allow their daughter to be exposed like this. This is an absolute shame on their family- and a shame on society for accepting it. I’m glad that people are speaking up about this issue. I’m glad the Prime minister has joined the debate- and spoken out against this.
Lastly- I don’t like to be so blunt but sometimes you have to be to drive the point home…Maddison do you (and your family- and the fashion industry) ,want sick people pinning you up? fantasising about you? and masturbating with you in their mind? Do you want to be responsible for more rapes on young women- and for more paedophilia- because that is exactly what will happen…and you are naive or foolish to think that it wont. FACT- Men get excited over images- and if they can’t take their lust out on the image- they will sometimes find another female to do it to.
We need laws against this- to protect children…and we need to inform parents to how they can protect their own children. ( It’s logical to wise people- but others need to be informed- ) I encourage people to speak out- if they see young children in inappropriate clothes- talk to the parents- and explain the outcomes. If you can save one child from rape- it’s worth it.
I’m not fond of this modeling thing. I think it produces narcissistic and high maintenance young women.
We have huge issues in the world at the moment, guide your daughters into something that gives to the solution, not taking away by promoting vanity and a self-indulgent lifestyle, i believe we have enough of those already.
Lily
Oh, my gosh… how did her mom let her do it? I can’t believe.
maybe she looks like an 18-year-old girl, her mind has not “grown up” like 18 years’.
We should be proud of her being keen to become a model. And she could. so it’s enough for her. Why doesn’t she just feel childhood joyness, and prepare to be the best model at the age of 16, 17 or18?
CHILL YOU BEANS….
if anything gets too out of hand ofcourse her mother will put a stop to it! It’s not like she is a 12 year old p0rn star or anything!!!
I fail to see what the fuss is about. Maddison is obviously a proud and determined young girl with the body of a young woman. In todays society it is not unusual for a girl to develop physically by this age. We need to learn to deal with these changes without becoming paranoid.
She should not be ostracized for wanting to pursue her dream of entering the fashion world. Those who criticize her and her mother because of her age and the sexualising of a twelve year old, I think are confused.
We are talking fashion not prostitution. Allow Maddison to live her dream and grow with it. With a caring mum to watch over her, she will go far. I wish her every success and hope that she learns to take the criticism of the”do gooders and politically correct brigade” with the proverbial grain of salt.
Elle look out!
I certainly wouldn’t allow my 12-year old to do more than a few photo shoots nearby with me accompanying her and in approproate clothes for her age.
Then I’d invest the money to help pay for college.
But even that I’d be worried about because of the long-term distorting effects it could have on her body image.
A legacy like that can last a lot longer than money in the bank.
I don’t see the problem with her following her dreams. hollywood frequently does films on lolita. now isn’t that worse than this? how about the show american beauty?
modeling isn’t about sex, it’s about fashion. As long as her mother is with her by her side there should be no problem.
I hope maddison pursues her dreams. She’s fortunate to be given this opportunity.
Maddison is Beautiful…
i was also a finalist for face of fashion week and have watched maddison being critisied by every one..
she does not desurve this at all..
just byt looking at her and seeing how she handles the whole situation you can tell that she is going to be Australia’s next top supermodel.. I think Australia should be congradulating her on her acheivements…
since thursday morning she has delbt with so much and she has handled the whole situation so well..
I think it is amazing that she has a dream of being an international model and has the motivation to acheive her dream..
The media has blown the whole 12 year old thing out of proportion!
the competion was only so she could be the face of fashion week for the event next year. and by then she will be 14..
at the moment she is still an ammature model… just learning!!
people should maybe have a bit more knowledge about the fashion/ modelling industry and the competion before making harsh comments..
Go maddison!
I met her in person and she looks much older than she is, that is true. But that
s beside the point. My big question to anyone who objects is “What is it to you?” People love blowing things out of proportion. Her mother is proud of her and Maddison herself sees nothing wrong with it, so what business is it of anyone else? Who else has the right to say that she shouldn’t be able to model? I can’t even believe I wrote this much in her defense. It has nothing to do with me or anyone else here.
I’m 14. When I was 11, and then 12-13 I did some modelling auditions. OK it was for kids’ clothes, but still. I saw it as photography, and this is what Maddison will be doing (as I read somewhere).
She is NOT BEING MADE UP AS A PIECE OF MEAT. She puts on clothes and makes them look nice on her body. seeing as she is pretty, guys and men who see her are gonna think dirty thoughts anyway (if theya re like that) there’s no stopping that.
to all you people who are saying she will be dressing provocatively/sexily/practically p0rnographically, GET WITH IT!!! fashion is changing, and what you think is ‘too revealing’ is the norm, and does not shock anyone.
without knowing the family and the girl personally, I can’t make any judgements on them, but all I can say is, I hope that if Maddison didn’t want to model, she would make this fact known, and her mother would not be able to bully her into doing it.
teenage girls are going to want to look pretty anyway. even if she didn’t go to modeeling agencies/auditions, she would probably do some amateur shoots with her friends, post pics on the net, and sooner or later she would still get discovered.
it is often said that kids should be kids, but I think that kids should enjoy their youth, and if modelling is what gives Maddison pleasure, then why not? I say this as a figure skater, some people might say that I’m wasting my childhood, training at the rink, doing off ice work and constantly concentrating on skating, but this is a thing that I love, and it enriches my childhood.
LET MODELLING !!ENRICH!! MADDISON’S CHILDHOOD, IF THAT IS WHAT SHE WANTS. it will not detract from it.
and guys, don’t judge her or her parents based on pictures and/or press statements. If you don’t know the family, you cannot know what the circumstances are. I think that if Maddison is happy and wants to push herself (as she says her dream is to become an international model) then she should do so. The media gets involved in these types of things way too often, IMO, and makes a massive fuss of nothing.
Good luck to Maddison (if she is reading this) in her modelling career, I hope it will be what she wanted it to be.
[…] into the Blogpond has unwittingly created a very interesting and polarised discussion around a 13 year old Australian Model, Maddison Gabriel. The child’s age was apparently not revealed to fashion/model contest organisers and […]
As a 21 year old young woman, I find it absolutely disgusting that this poor child is being catapulted into this industry at such a young age. We all have heard and know how cut throat and life changing the fashion industry is, with eating disorders and other mental illnesses being rife among models. A child should not be entering type of environment without the life skills and coping mechanisms needed to cope.
At 13 years old you are now way old enough to understand who you are and to decide what career moves you want to make. Only once you are an adult can you make informed decisions for yourself and can elect to have any career you choose fit, once you understand your own identity.
What worries me the most about young children being forced into competitive industries such as music and fashion is the potential impacts it has on the individuals mental health later in life. A case in point that immediately comes to my mind is Britney Spears. A twisted young girl that has been under the scrutiny of the public eye since she appeared as a child singer/dancer in the ‘Mickey Mouse club. Or maybe we could comment on Michael Jackson to make the point clearer.
Face Of Gold Coast Fashion Week
Category: Fashion, Style, Shopping
The Face of Gold Coast Fashion Week was announced at Wednesday night’s opening-night party for the inaugural Gold Coast Fashion Week, with 12-year-old Maddison Gabriel a surprise winner.
Maddison and her Face finalist colleagues won the honour of parading at the VIP Saturday parade at the Gold Coast Arts Centre, regardless of who eventually took the title. Maddison will be the marketing star for the lead-up to next year’s Gold Coast Fashion Week.
Some of the world’s best models come from the Australian Gold Coast. Yet what looked to be the start of a succesful event was soon tarnished after a minority of so called “do gooders” decided to try to ban models under the age of 16. They claim that stopping girls under the age of 16 will prevent them from developing eating disorders and stop sexual abuse. If this this the real reason, because most young women I have met with an eating disorder and / or been sexually abused has never modelled. And yet I have seen how modelling has helped may young ladies. It in fact builds confidence, may inprove looks (correct make-up and hygene) and in many cases been the stepping stone for many great careers. Modelling in many ways has given independance to many young women. Sure we hear stories of how some models have turned to drugs. But show me a career that does not have the same problem.
Having worked with Models of all ages (as young as 3 years old) it is clear to me that the people complaining about Maddison winning the model competition, yet that is all it was, are those jealous people not good enough to model, come from opposing model agencies or are infact people sick enough to twist what was an innocent competition into something poverted. Stopping girls under 16 from modelling will not stop them from developing eating disorders and stop sexual abuse. Smart parenting and common sense will.
If people consider that looking at a beautiful young girl wearing the latest fashion to be p0rnagraphic, then let me ask those people why is it that they are looking at her in that way. Because what I seen at the competition was a charming and very classy young lady. Anyone that sees it in any other way needs to spend their time working on fixing their own insecurities. And then I ask you to show me any lady without insecurities. The only real problem I see with the competition is that it should have been held in a more acceptable venue. And for those of you saying it is against the law for minors the be in such a venue need to study more on the Liquer Laws. Congratulations Maddison, you truely deserved to win that competition.
This is the first time I have ever added a comment to a site like this but there was so much going through me head I had to. Firstly, given that we are talking about children (one specifically in this case) I don’t think anyone should be directing comment or criticism at the child. The issue here, as I see it, is about the increasing sexualisation of young children. I wonder in ten years time, or twenty years time, how old will society think is OK to be modelling/doing photo shoots etc? Something to ponder.
I have read some of the arguments stating that it is this young girls’ wish to enter this career, so why not let her? Would the same argument be used for a 12 year old who wants to join the armed forces? i.e. it has always been his dream so let him enter a competition to win an apprenticeship at Kapooka? What about young children who want to be doctors? How about we let them sit in on some operations and have a crack at some sutures? Or the 12 year old who has her/his heart set on being a pilot, teaching at a school, being an architect or engineer, a police officer, a construction worker, a truck driver and the list could go on. As a society we do not let these children have start in the industry of the dreams. Child hood is about them developing the skills and maturity to be able to pursue these dreams when they are old enough to do so. This is why we have groups like Air League, where young people interested in planes and flying can attend and learn about how planes fly, and then as they grow up they can move on to learning to fly when they are 16. This is also why we have junior St John’s Abulance clubs, ballet lessons, school, after school social activities and sporting clubs, debating groups, music lessons, BMX tracks and skate board ramps. So all of the children can practice the skills they will need to have success in their future careers. Having said all of this, a young girl who dreams of modeling (and if this is supported by her family) could be directed into classes for deportmant, applying make-up, perhaps dance classes or learning about healthy nutrition and exercise prgrammes. Just as society would not rest easy allowing a 12 or 13 year to start designing bridges to span rivers, I think society is uneasy at allowing 12 or 13 year old to model adult “couture”. Not only are children of this age too young to be involved in adult pursuits, they are losing their childhoods. I do not know the parents who are subject of this debate, and they may well have encouraged and supported their daughter to undertake appropriate classes in preparation of a future modelling career, but allowing her to take the next step into the adult industry at 12 appears to reflect poor judgement. We do not allow three year olds to cross the road by themselves as they do not have the skills or maturity to do this safely. They may want to do it at three, claiming they are a big kid, but we say no, and we hold their hands.
I would also be interested to know what provisions the child protection legislation in Queensland has in relation to 13 year old working – whether there are restictions and so on?
hi ı think so with tricia.
Why are people so uptight abotu girls wearing sexy outfits?
It amazes me that the everyone who is getting super offended about her becoming a model are probably the same who went and saw Home Alone or the numerous other movies that are out there starring or exploiting child stars. Now you may claim it’s different but think of the ratio of child stars who as adults end up completely screwed up…food for thought.
im 16 an she is to young only 13 but she looks alot older could be the next kate moss (hopefully no druggie hubbie on the sidelines like) but think shes gunna be a beauty in 7 years time
My God, “The Face” of Gold Coast Fashion Week” – big deal for such a crappy, provincial place. Go back to school, you rustics and take your mothers with you!
At that age I used to practice my music hours a day without anyone forcing me. It was purely of my own desire. I now look back and sometimes think of some of the many things I missed out on as a youth. I have no regrets though; it is what I wanted to do. I now see people that I teach constantly say I wish I had stuck with it when I was a kid and did not give up. I want to really play music now. I suppose the fashion industry has a way of exploiting and sexualizing models no matter what age they are. I’m sure it is a short-lived career. But if you are picked by a top agency I know there is a lot of money to be made. If she’s got a good support team and a good level head she has just invested in her future with a large bankroll. Her college will be paid for and even perhaps her retirement. The media has found a great story in this, while there are so many other children truly suffering more than most of us could ever know. I actually heard kids get hooked on drugs even if they are not stars or in the media. Lets look the neighbors close to us and get involved with the ones that will never get a speck of media attention and see what we could do about helping them. I’m hope she will turn out OK as an adult and live a normal life. Because remember when you’re an adult it seems that at that point no one cares. Good luck media/fashion girl and may the force be with you. It’s a dog eat dog world out there.
hi I am really close to Maddison Gabriel.
she is a great girl and everyone should support her in her decision and she’s so cool.
It was her choice to go in to the competition and her mum supported her.
Everyone needs to keep their negative comments to themselves.
I’m disgusted with the comments that people have written.
She will never do drugs and go really skinny.
shut up with ur NEGaTiVE comments with her mum. her mums the best nd wouldent push her inless maddison wonted to do itt
i love u maddi xxx
As a mother of a 12 year old who is 5’9″ (and still growing according to her pediatrician) and naturally thin, she started showing interest in modeling, on her own accord. I enrolled her in an agency which teaches these kids many things, including what is and isn’t acceptable in this industry, what kinds of things are inappropriate and more importantly how to avoid them, they are taught responsibility (never a bad thing), all aspects of garment construction and features and how to best show off the garment (not themselves) they are taught how to accentuate the positives of what God has given them. These kids practice once or twice a week before a show and do NOT attend any kind of adult function prior to or after the show. Parents are fully involved in every aspect. From my understanding, gymnasts, pianists and other “child prodigies” practice hours upon hours a day taking their childhoods away from them. This is definitely not the case, it’s a slow gradual process.
My daughter in not the type of girl to wear make-up (except when modeling), she is not in to short mini-skirts or inappropriate dress of any kind. The designers she works, with take her age and modesty into consideration, and put her in appropriate garments.
She doesn’t model under her given name, and doesn’t brag about her accomplishments. Many of her classmates and teachers, don’t have a clue that she is doing it. She is active in band, choir, and girl scouts. Her plan is to attend the Art Institute of Chicago. Her modeling will help make this a reality.
Re: 30, 40, 50 men looking at them inappropriately …unfortunately that is a sad but real problem, and these individuals are going to exist whether or not these kids are in this industry.
Every child is a different person and has different skills. She is frequently asked if she plays basketball…she just smiles and says no, I’m not athletic. In a world where too much emphasis is placed on athletics, she is forging her own path.
Quite well, I might add.
I am very proud of my daughter, and her accomplishments. If she decided she didn’t want to do it, I would support her in her decision.
Don’t be so quick to judge a situation, that you don’t fully understand. Just because Maddi is involved in this industry doesn’t mean for a second that her Mom is not there reminding her every step of the way what is right and what isn’t. Just like any good mom would!!! Best wishes to her!!!!
Maybe they’ll meet someday…the next generation of supermodels….you just never know.
Okay first off it is no one elses business but Maddison Gabriel’s and her family’s if she models at such a young age. Are we going to stop every model that is under a certain age? Will there be no more kids modeling in catalogs or magazines? I don’t think so. So what does it matter if the girl walks down the runway in a bathing suit or other clothing. She is not out there doing kiddie p0rn! I’m sure if other parents saw the kind of money that this girl is probably making they would not be as opposed to the idea of their 13 year old daughter modeling especially if she has the looks and the body. So I suggest that everyone lay off of it and get on with THEIR OWN LIVES and stay out of every body elses.
I think its pretty stupid that Maddison’s mum is doing this. it doesn’t really matter if Maddison has the ‘looks’, it matters that maddison is only 13 and she can’t possibly be ‘mature’ enough to become a model. I think that her mum is just hungry for the spotlight and she is willing to sacrifice her daughter for it.
She needs to get a life and stop trying to make her daughter grow up faster then she is meant to.
sure enough, Maddison is following her dreams of becoming a model but what will happen to her when she develops wider hips and bigger breasts and everything else that goes on when your still growing?!! She may be made to look like a young lady, but in all reality she is still a girl who hasn’t even had the chance to experience a 16th birthday party, the school formal or even graduation and getting your o.p scores in the mail like many women have in their twenties who, ironically, Maddison is being MADE to look like. Im only 16 and looking at a TWELVE YEAR OLD who is using her looks to get what she wants disturbs me. If she gets into the wrong mindset at this tender age, id hate to see her when she is 18 thinking she can get anything she wants…i do not know her but i hope to god she does what is best for her and her future, and not rely on the opinions of others to get where she thinks she needs to…
Of course Maddi would be exposed to many older men, men who would be looking at her in that way should be looked up and just because one girl is the face of a fashion week does not mean that she will be more exposed than any other girl that is on the internet. If seedy men want to look at pictures of young girls there are many child p0rnographic sites that they can look at. Why is it such a big deal that a younger girl is chosen. Fashion is all about the new looks and freshness, and this is new and fresh. She gets to do something that she really loves, gets to fulfill her dream and most people can not say that they have the opportunity. We have to see the optimist point of view. Any body can be exposed to drugs and sex but it doesnt mean they are going to take that path. High school kids are smoking, doing drugs and every thing else, why is it such a big deal??
I think that the PM and RUDD dont have to apologyes to the girl that does not vote,
This is a free speaking country .and i am sick of that a BOY cant work as a paperboy because he is 12-13-14 years of age.WHAT does the father say about this ,if he is there .
Just a few comments:
(1) People who criticize this decision seem to have a very exaggerated sense of what Maddison will be doing. She simply won a competition to be the face of one particular fashion event next year. This will not entail dropping out of school and touring the world, for crying out loud.
(2) When you’re working toward a career, you take opportunities that help you along the way. These opportunities often take the form of competitions at a young age. Many child prodigy musicians got their start this way.
(3) The concern about her “being sexualized” by this event escapes me. Is the concern that she might wear something too “revealing?” Go to the beach — you’ll see girls her age (and younger) wearing bikinis every day, and nobody raises an uproar about that. It’s called a human body. Maddison has one, so get over it. As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing sexuAL about modeling. Maddison may be sexY, but quite frankly she already has that quality, whether she’s modeling or not.
(4) Did you notice that all of the students who actually know her offer their support?
The argument for and against her modeling are very good. Both provide excellent debate. My feelings are she might be too young, but we dont know how her mother has raised her. I believe lindsay lohans mom is an excellent example of trouble for the 13-yr olds future.
Steve,
I do not think you are getting the full picture here. It is not just about this 13 year old girl. It is about how we as a society have allowed girls who have not yet reached puberty to dress in clothes their older sisters would wear when out clubbing! It is about we as a society allowing the message that “12 year old girls are women” to be diseminated. It is about how mothers would enable a situation to develop where their 12/13 year old child is the subject of sites such as this, and there are other sites where far worse comments being made about this particular young girl.
Children are children and should be allowed to be so. Yes, there are p0rn sites where paedophiles can look at pre-pubescent girls and get their rocks off. These sites typically contain visuals of children who have been abducted and abused. But now, as a society, we have created mainstream sites where paedophiles can view young girls dressed way beyond their years – with no risk of any web police identifying them as risks because everyone is looking!!!
Today whilst out shopping I saw 7and 8 year old girls wearing shoes with heels, make-up and extremely short skirts. They carried hand bags, and every now and then stopped to re-apply their lip gloss. They commented on clothes and make-up and hand-bags, and when they would start waxing their legs.
For goodness sake – we all need to wake up!
Little girls and boys should be protected, not exploited.
I have read some of the commments that the subject of this blog will not be wearing revealing clothing etc. Open your eyes! There are many pictures of her wearing a bikini with her hair tossed back and a “smoldering” look , and do not tell me that the dress worn at the launch was something the average 12 year old would wear to the year 6 formal. If this was a photo of a typical 12 year old at the beach in their bikini they may be smiling and posing in a cheesy fashion – yes, but not like these photos.
If any of you posting on this site are parents – think about if this was your child. As a society we are influenced by the media. magazines, etc. Do you want your 12 year old daughter dressing to emulate the people she looks up to, only to be out in the world as a 12 year old looking like a 20 year old. Look at the posting in this blog! How many men on this blog have said that she looks older than her years? We have to look at this seriously. Padded bras for girls without boobs, knickers for 8 year olds which a bride may like to have on her wedding night! Can we package our most precious little people any more provocatively?
And just in case you have formed a view that I am some uptight whinger – I have worked in child protection for more than 20 years. I have seen what the sexualisation of children brings. It is not cute, it is not innocent, it is abhorant. It destroys innocent lives.
Is the blog titled “I’m Maddison Gabriel, and I’m too Young to be a Model,” at maddison-model.com, really Maddison?
Mindy
I really doubt it would be the real Maddison, but I could be wrong.
Added: This blog DEFINITELY does NOT belong to Maddison.
Ok, the reason maddi is modeling is because she wants too. We went to different agencies and they suggested she went in some competitions for some experience. She won. I do not need her money. I am independantly wealthy and intellegent – just cant spell:-) Her father is out of it because he had his own business and this is a girl thing – fashion. I ended up in the media because someone had to answer all the allegations. As if I wanted the attention! You must be kidding. I have a lisp – I hate hearing myself and I am sure others do too! I stood up for my daughter like any other mother would.
If you dont’ like modeling – that’s fine. That’s your opinion and you can have it. My opinion is Maddi does know what she wants and under normal circumstances she would have slowly entered the modeling area. But because so many people had to make comments it has now been crazy the amount of attention she has got.
And I can tell you she is not now or will she be the first or last 13 year old doing modeling. And I know for a fact there are many doing cat walk. Many who have been since they where 11 yo. We just waited until we felt she could handle doing a little work on the side. All money goes into her own account. Honestly. Unless you know the whole story, you shouldn’t be commenting. And that includes the PM. He only heard a little bit. Remember “never let the truth get in the way of a good story”. Maddi never went to a nightclub. She went to a restuarant. Harry M Miller was never employed by us. They helped us out of the kindness of their hearts to try to understand what happened and tried to control the media for us. Two weeks before Maddi won this comp, two other young gold coasters won a modeling comp. They did not get this type of attention and they were on a runway.
Let her get on with building her career and also going to school and being a normal 13 yo. By the way she does less with modeling than I did with swimming when I was 13. I was going to school and training 30 hours a week. So she is I can tell you getting a much better childhood than I did.
Now please leave us alone to get on with our lives.
Guys, what is wrong with you all? She wants to be a model! Whay cant she? I knew what I wanted to be at the age of 6. I was not however able to reach my dreams, it wasnt for lack of work or effort, I just didnt get there. Good for her she has made it already. Are you all crazy. She’s not a p0rn queen…She is a model. LAY OFF!! Prehaps your all bored or jealous or even worse a damn minorty dooo gooder. Nothing worse than a doo gooder!!
this is for TRICIA!! TRICIA!!
Have you checked out the kids especially girls clothing sections in any department store these days? I doubt it, they are all mosty (older more womanly) styles in kids fits, ohh and that includes bras for 6YO’s!! Go attack Target ok!!
As a male I find it very important to give an outlook on this subject. As a Entertainment business owner I find it even more important. The entertainment business is based on one important aim. Finding woman for their sexual appeal. Many in the business use woman to keep focus off the issues at hand and that is just what is being done here. It is no secret that the circle of the most famous engage in sexual activities with underage woman. The matter at hand with Maddison Gabriel just promotes leverage with the issues when brought into the public. They are taking a 13 year old and turning her into a sexual object. If we let this happen. Then I promise more pre-teens will be exploited and the spectrum of what is currently happening will be expanded upon by all agencies. I don’t care how grown up her parents think she is, how grown she thinks she is and to have a mother that stands behind her even when she makes wrong decisions.
and those who agree with this promotion are most likely under the age of 18. Worthless mothers themselves. or in general a person who just does not care that sexual promotion of our youth is aiming younger and younger until one day you see it happening to children who have been taught that wearing a bra at the age of six, makes you more of a grown woman! Not teaching them the mental aspect, let’s just give them the material to think they are grown! Idiots!
[…] position on something that stirs up a lot of emotion. I recently watched Meg Tsiamis do this with her post on Maddison Gabriel – the face of Gold Coast fashion (or exploitation of children, depending on your perspective). Meg […]
ok i think you should all be quiet this girl has just recieved a once in a lifetime opportunity adn all you can do is critercise. if any one else was in her position they wouild jump at the chance of fame. your all jealous, she obviously very mature for her age and she be abllowed to make her own decisions nregardless of your opinions
Hey how tall does a 12/13 year old girl have to be in order to model?
Hi Karolina
I’m not sure there is a specific height.
As I understand most models are reasonably tall – Maddison Gabriel is 171cm (or 5’7″).
It would also depend on the type of modelling that is to be done. Perhaps height isn’t so important for photographic work – what would be important here is that weight is proportionate to height.
But I think that for runway (or catwalk) work, most agencies would probably prefer taller models.
hi im shan im 13
and i think that if maddi wants to do modelling and is fine with catwalks and all the photoshoots then good on her if i had the chance id take it and if maddis parents havnt got a problem with her modelling on the catwalk then shes fine to do it
its no one elses bussiness
its a once in a lifetime opportunity
theres girls at the age of 12 wearing loads of makeup mini skirts and crop tops out in the street surely that is alot worse than some catwalk
i no loads who do and there only dossing the streets
yh maddi might have men starein but shes not the only model out there at that age on catwalks
if i done the modelling i wouldnt care its a dream to do modelling
why stop her !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Im 17 and I think its so wrong. i have a best friend whos 17 and she gorgeous, tall and has great figure, long blond hair, a healthy teenage girl.(looks about 22). and this modeling agent came up to her and asked if she would model for them. she was flattered and went were they told her to go. they told her, “your such a pretty girl but if you didn’t mind, we think you should lose a bit of weight”.she said yes. went home and cried all day. now she’s obsessed with losing at least 7kgs. but she’s so slim, if she loses anymore weight she would be on the verge of anorexia. i can’t belive what the world is coming to.
Hi everyone,
My name is Jamina, I am 14 years old and this week I am doing a speech on this issue of underage models which i will probably post later. My focus is face of Gold Coast Fashion Week, Maddison Gabriel.
Firstly I’d like to say that I have been approached many times by modeling agencies but have agreed that I will start probably next year. So I can kind of relate…
Anyway, The main issue is that although Maddison may claim that she can fit into women’s clothing, she is promoting fashion which is what women want to look like.
Quite frankly, no girl who has just turned 13 can have the physical features of an adult woman. Don’t get me wrong, Maddison is a stunning young woman, but is it really the right idea to be exposing her to the harsh world of modeling and pedophiles who can take a front seat into her life at such a tender age?
I can understand that the opportunity is a great one for Maddison and her school friends and parents obviously encourage it. But then again, what about those other “women” out there who want to look like the models strutting the catwalk? How would it make them feel to see this “woman” as the face of the fashion week with such a different body? Different in the sense that real “women” actually develop breasts and hips. Unfortunately Maddison, the people to whom the fashion week was targeted are different to you, or perhaps it is unfortunate for them.
Maddison is simply not what grown women are supposed to look like, no recently-turned thirteen year old is physically capable to do model women’s fashion and women are not supposed to look like this.
I strongly believe that Miss Gabriel means well but should focus on her academic studies and her love for animal welfare, but I encourage her to pursue her modeling career, when she grows a little older. Good Luck Maddison, I hope you and your family make the right choice.
Jamina
Many thanks for your thoughtful, articulate comment.
It’s always great to hear a well constructed argument and I’d be very interested in reading your speech.
Thanks for stopping by.
Jamina,
Just to let you know, I think you have got some of your details about Maddison from the article in Women’s Weekly, which actually talks about Morgan and her love for animal welfare. (Morgan is another young model who has been modeling since she was a baby).
Maddison does love animals however it was not her that mentioned the love for animal welfare. Also just to let you know many articles written on Maddison, including the one in New Idea and that in Women’s Weekly at no stage talked to our family. So the information is not really fact.
Also, you may like to know that Maddison is a very hard worker at school and intends to continue her academic studies and finsih year 12. Like many other high schoolers she has a part time job. Hers just happens to be modelling rather than working at Macdonalds or the local fish and chip shop.
Good luck with your assignment. Just make sure you have all the facts before you listen to things that aren’t always true. The internet does not always show truths. Be careful.
Cheers
Maddi’s Mum
I’m also a 13 year old girl. Let Maddison be a model if she wants to be. I don’t know much about modeling but I’m sure she can reject the photoshoots with inappropiate clthing. But, MAYBE instead of trying to crush a girl’s dreams everyone can worry about things more important. She’s not harming anyone, and if she has a strong enough mind she won’t get caught up into the bad side effects of being introduced into the fashion world.
My mom was a model and she loved it. She never was into anything harmful. Everyone says I should be a model except my dad, who thinks what mostly everyone on this blog thinks about: That I’ll get the wrong influence. I can think for myself and know I’ll make the right choices. I would love to be a model, but I’ve never even attempted to apply for any kind of agency.
Dear Michelle,
Thanks for commenting on Meg’s wonderful blog. There is a blog found at maddison-model.com which is a parody of the publicity surrounding your daughter and modeling in general.
Let me know if this blog is offensive to either you or your daughter. I know the blogger, and I know they will discontinue the blog if either you or Maddison request it.
They were just trying to have some fun.
Best regards,
“Maddi”
To the “Fake Maddi”
I have been emailing Michelle back and forth over the last week. The is a lovely woman and this fake site is causing her family, and Maddison in particular, much anxiety.
Many people (young girls especially) DO NOT realise the blog is NOT the real Maddison. I have deleted many comments on my blog which refer in a negative way to Maddi’s blog (i.e. the FAKE one). They don’t realise it’s a parody.
I would suggest that removing the blog would be the right thing to do. Besides, it is against Google’s content policy to “impersonate” another person, which is in effect what this blog is doing. The “wink” at the end is too subtle.
I think Maddison has had enough stress without this blog adding to it.
But I’m sure Michelle will be here to comment, so you can hear it from her.
Dear “Maddi”,
Both Maddison and I are extreemeley upset about maddison-model.com, particularly since it also make comments on other blogs pointing to the site. I am sure the person you know only meant it as fun but Maddison feels that it is showing her in a bad light and is nothing like who she really is.
We considered making comments on it, but felt that the blogger would only delete the comments, so we refrained.
If you could please ask the person you know to delete the blog we would be very appreciated.
Kind regards
Michelle Gabriel
Dear Michelle.
The blog will be deleted tonight with an apology to you and to Maddison that will remain for a while to confirm to others that this meant to be a parody, and that it did not represent your daughter’s views at all.
The authors of the blog want me to tell you and Maddison how sorry they are. They did not take into account that it might be upsetting to you and to your daughter, although they should have figured that out. They received many comments from people who knew it was only a joke, but who were willing to play along.
They do parodies of many people, mostly American Idol contestants in the United States. They felt any “celebrity” was fair game, but they realize now that your daughter did not mean to be thrown into the lime light. They hope you will both forgive them.
If you need any more information or can think of any way these people can make it up to you and your daughter, please let me know on Meg’s blog here and I’ll tell them.
Best wishes always to you and the real Maddi.
Dear Michelle,
I am the one who created the parody blog, and I am sick to my stomach about having hurt you and your daughter. I’ve done a number of celebrity parody blogs, but this is one I shouldn’t have done, because I now realize you and your daughter never intended to be celebrities, but simply wanted to develop a talent like any parent and child would want to do, whether through sports, the arts, or any other field.
I am deleting all posts after I write this message to you and I will leave on the blog my sincerest apologies and a confirmation that the blog was an attempt at parody gone wrong. Many of the commenters knew that the blog was not written by Maddison and was only a parody, but for those who didn’t, I will confess and express my sorrow for hurting you both.
For what it is worth, I commend you for your love for your daughter, and I am convinced that you will always do what is in your daughter’s best interest.
If there is anything I can do to make this up to you and Maddison, please let me know by writing again on Meg’s blog and I will do it.
And thank you, Meg, for providing this blog, which has been an opportunity for Maddison’s mother to help set the record straight.
Sincerely,
The Parody Blogger
Parody Blogger
Thanks for doing the right thing. I’m sure that this is a relief for Maddison and her family.
i believe that the modeling industry is very exploiting and a bad influence, no matter what age you are,as many children my age(13) and younger have been beleiving they are fat even when they are skin and bone but the main thing that concerns me is that Maddison may be exploited at a very young age.
innocence and youth of a child is very important. It appears that recently the world is losing these two important things, and this is proof of a major change of our society. When I go shopping I see girls as young as 7 parading in micro mini skirts and in navel and chest bearing cloths which the fashion industry calls tops.
I have recently turned 13, and I still beileve that she is still young, even if it was my dream i would just wait for at least 2 years.
i believe that many comments above about maddison’s mum was cruel but not to be offencive, i think some might be true.
My main concern is that maddison is not mentally ready for a job like this which includeds plenty of pressure.
Many celebrities have been driven over the edge by the emotional trauma of exposure to the adult world, some include britney spears, kate moss, drew barrymoore,and many more. those who i named above has/had started young but as they grew older werent mentally ready and ruined their lives, some who have been lucky survived and grew susessful.
Michelle would you want to risk Maddison health and life just for a dream? is it really worth the risk your taking? just ask youself.
– the 13 year old Opinionated Australian
oh yeah sorry about the spelling mistakes and bad grammar i was trying to write down my thought before i lose them
Hi
While I haven’t necessarily been supportive about this, I have come to the conclusion that Michelle Gabriel is an exceptionally caring mother, very concerned for her daughter’s welfare and would not put Maddison in harm’s way.
I think this whole situation has been very overwhelming and most surprising to the family. What started as a simple competition for Maddison to get a bit of experience grew into a world-wide media frenzy. Maddison’s parents know their daughter better than anyone, her maturity and what she is equipped to handle.
Remember, this is Maddison’s dream – just as many young girls dream of becoming actresses or singers. If handled with proper parental supervision, and appropriate opportunities, who is anyone to deny Maddison the opportunity?
Look at teenage athletes who may be training heavily for hours a week, leaving home to compete or even residing in places like the Institute of Sport. 12-14 year old gymnasts, athletes and swimmers wearing very revealing costumes. The risk of injury and permanent damage. Yet this seems “acceptable”.
I think that perhaps there should be age restrictions on certain modeling events, but the fact of the matter is that there aren’t. Perhaps that’s where we should be focusing our attention, rather than throwing criticism on a mother’s judgement.
Granted the industry has a real downside, that doesn’t mean that Michelle is unaware of those dangers or that she would consciously risk her daughter’s “health and life”. Perhaps she might feel that NOT allowing her daughter to pursue her dream might actually be more detrimental to her.
Miss 13, I’m not sure if you’re the stubborn or rebellious type, but as a parent of teenagers sometimes you have to work with them, not against them – because when a teenager is determined to achieve something you don’t want to stand in their way!
Firstly to the Parody Blogger,
Thank you for taking down the site and also for leaving the apology. Both Maddison and I both appreciate this. There is nothing else you need to do and thank you again for your words.
I think the thing to remember is that even people who are “celebrities” are people too and what we all read or hear about them is not always true. It is amazing how a small little comment can be taken out of context – as we have found. I really feel for the “celebrities” of the world who are put in this situation daily. Sometimes, just because they are creative and are good at what they do they have become celebrities. It is amazing that just because someone is good at what they do that people think they can then try to pull them down. I find that sad about the human race. Why not be happy for them. I wonder sometimes if people really realised what came with fame if they would ever strive to be good at what they do. That is very sad.
To Miss 13, you have your opinion and that is fine. I really do not or did not push Maddison into anything. Maddison has not had it easy at school, and I was very pleased that she found something she felt she could strive for. It might not have been what others thought was appropriate, but she enjoys it. It is amazing the amount of wonderful girls she is meeting through this dream. There are some very nice people in this field. We are sure there are some not so nice ones also, but so far she hasn’t met them. It doesn’t matter if it is modelling or school or other work Maddison will have to learn to deal with good and bad in people. As a mother I will try to guide her through the pot holes of life, but as she grows older she will start making her own decisions. As a 13 yo I can just try to guide her and support her. Some times she listens to me and sometimes she doesn’t. As I am sure you would understand as a 13 yo yourself.
Just to let you know she dealing mainly with girls who are either her age or a little older, she is not always around adults and when she is I am there with her as many other mums are too. She is not thrown into the adult world as people seem to think. starting to model is a slow process that will take years. She still goes to school and has to do her homework etc. She does less modeling than some kids do other part time jobs or sport per week. There are different type of modeling jobs and it is sad that you think the whole industry is sleezy – because it isn’t. There is also lots of different shapes and sizes and ages in the industry also. All you are seeing and hearing is the bad side, the good side isn’t reported because it doesn’t rate as news to say the good things.
Remember I am only human too, I may not always make the right decisions, but I try to learn from those I make and I hope as you grow Miss 13 that you also learn from the decisions you make in life. Good luck over the years Miss 13.
To Meg,
Thank you for such kind words about me. I am grateful for you to let this discussion to continue. Life is so amazing, and we never know where things will lead us. Just today there was another article in the paper about another 13 year old who won a modelling competition and she paraded in front of 100 people and wore a bikini and an evening dress. I am waiting to see if there is more said tomorrow in newspapers etc about this young girl. For some reason I don’t think there will be.
I am amazed at what happened to Maddison, I am truly shocked at what happened and for the life of me, I can’t understand why. Hopefully as life evolves around us we will find out what is in store for us through the Cosmos. I hope for my darling daughters sake that it is all sliver linings from now on but if it isn’t I hope that they are strong enough to live life as kind good people.
I was reading the Gold Coast Bulletin a couple of weekends ago and there was an article about Pat O’Keefe a coach of Australian Iron Men and Women. Some of his sayings I found wonderful and thought appropriate not only to them but to anyone that wanted to do something outside the norm.
They were:
Winning isn’t normal
Normal people don’t win
The more normal your life becomes
The less chance you have of winning
The other one I liked was:
If you do today
what you did yesterday
you’ll be beaten
If you do today
what others are doing now
you’ll be competitive
To win you must
seek to do today
what others will be doing tomorrow.
I like those sayings and I hope you do too.
Kind regards
Michelle Gabriel
Dear Michelle and Maddison,
Thank you for your gracious forgiveness. I’ve noticed that the “controversy” has died down, and I hope that you can move on with the dignity that you both deserve.
There are no more articles about Maddison that I have seen on the Internet, either in the United States (where I live) or in Australia. In the United States, at google.com, my site shows up first when “googling” “Maddison Gabriel,” with the apology in the heading. On google.com.au, it shows up either on the first or second page. I would be happy to take down the site so that the apology appears no more, or to leave it up, whatever you would like. When Maddison is in the news again, as she will be, it will be without controversy and it will be because she continues to build her dreams.
Let me know what you would like me to do with my blog.
Best regards always.
The Parody Blogger
Dear Parody Blogger,
Thank you for your latest mail through Meg. (Meg I hope you don’t mind being used as an intemediatory on this:-) thank you).
If possible I would like you to keep the apology up.
I believe that although everything has died down this year (which I am very thankful for) , that next year when the Gold Coast Fashion Week is again on, that it could blow up again.
We have already been “warned” that potentially Channel 9 will want to do a follow up story and depending on the news available around that time, it may blow up again – at least at that time we may be ready for it and hopefully as you say it will be with out controversy.
Again, thank you for changing your blog.
Kind regards
Michelle Gabriel
Michelle
Of course not! Glad things have settled down a bit for you all.
Done!
Note that Meg’s blog shows up on top when Maddison is googled in Australia, and miy blog shows up on top when Maddison is googled in the United States and also shows up on page one or two in Australia as well. So if you ever haven any ideas for what you want my blog to say when people first search for “Maddison Gabriel,” let me know and I’ll put it up there! Meg knows how to email me if you need me and I give her permission to give my email address to you if you’d like.
I’ve changed my ways thanks to you two!
Finally, I have the domain name maddison-model.com, which I used in connection with the blog. If you want it, I’d be happy to let you have it for free and have it forwarded to any website Maddison may want to create for herself.
I look forward to great things in Maddison’s future.
best!
me
Dear Parody Blogger,
I might take you up on this offer at a later stage. thank you.
I’m happy that Meg and I have “helped you change your ways”. It reminded me of when I was at school and I was told “if only you would used your leadership ability for good rather than evil”. I felt like a fallen comic book charecter when this was said by a teacher. The trouble was they never let me try. It was only after school I found out how to do that:-)
You seem to have some great ability there (much more than I have on the internet these days). I hope you can use it for good now too.
Good luck to you in the future.
Kind regards
Michelle Gabriel