Paula Carozzo On Modeling With Tommy Hilfiger And Goal Of Making Disabilities Mainstream

Bringing inclusivity to the forefront!

Model and content creator Paula Carozzo is quickly getting the world’s attention and has the 1 Million+ likes on social media to prove it. As someone with cerebral palsy, she is the disability representation advocate that we all needed.

We had the amazing honor of talking with Paula about moving to New York City, her upcoming children’s book, and more!

How important do you think disability representation is in mainstream media and entertainment?

P: “Well, I would say that the community’s main goal is to mainstream disability, as that is really the only way we’ll ever reach equality. The media and entertainment shape our world, and dangerously, it shapes how we perceive and illustrate the picture of ourselves out onto the world. For way too long, the community has known that we’ve been preaching to the choir, and even though things take time to change, it’s time we start seeing more disabled humans in all aspects of the entertainment industry – including on camera and behind the scenes.”

What do you think is the biggest stereotype facing people with disabilities?

P: “There are many pre-historic stereotypes that we still face today. Still, the ones that we’re currently battling online on social media platforms is that disabled social media creators and media activists fake their disabilities. I get this on the comment section of my TikTok a lot, and honestly, it’s so bad. It’s very dehumanizing, and this goes to show that the underlying issues surrounding disabilities will forever be miseducation+ignorance.” 

You recently worked with Tommy Hilfiger for their Adaptive Spring 2023 collection! What was that experience like? What do you love the most about modeling?

P: “I honestly never categorized myself as a model until that shoot with Tommy Hilfiger. However, my audience has thought I’ve been modeling since my social media career began. That shoot with Tommy Hilfiger opened my eyes to why I wanted to pursue modeling full-time. The shoot was for their adaptive collection, which, if you’re unaware of what adaptive clothing is— it’s clothing designed for disabled people or anyone with limited physical mobility. Being on such a high-profile shoot created by disabled people for disabled people really opened my eyes to where our future is headed. The Tommy Hilfiger team does a really good job at getting to know their models throughout the shoot, so by the end of the shoot, we all felt like family. They also did a really good job in allowing us to freely express ourselves within our abilities, and as someone who’s had a disability all their life— this is just the key to life. 

What I love the most about modeling is that as a disabled model, I am setting the standard and rules that disabled models will need for the future while representing and showing up for young disabled children. Besides redefining disability, I really love being able to portray a character on set.” 

What has been the most surreal experience from your career so far?

P: “Moving to NYC. I’ve been dreaming of moving to NYC since I was 13, so last year, I put all my life in boxes and trash bags, lol, and I moved to NYC. Being here makes me feel so alive and loved personally and career-wise, and of course, I have many plans to achieve while here.”

We hear you are planning to release a children’s book! Can you tell us a little bit about the story behind it?

P: “Writing a children’s book is a dream I’ve had all my life, but actually writing it has been extremely difficult. The concept surrounds a little girl with a cane who doesn’t understand her life because she doesn’t know she has a disability. She goes on to live her daily life as she interacts with a new phase of her disability every day, and the rest is still unwritten. :).”

What is your best piece of advice for young girls who might be discouraged/insecure because of their disabilities?

P: “The end-all advice I always wished to have received is that everything will be okay. Growing up with a disability is extremely difficult, especially when you do not understand why you look/feel different. I had no role models in the media or in life in general, so it was very difficult to see a future or even the next day to be honest. My best piece of advice would be to take life day by day. Your body is your temple, and your disability will look and feel different every day, and that is okay. I really promise you that you’ll be alright.”

Besides your book, can you tease what other projects you are working on that we should be looking out for?

P: “I am really trying to expand my modeling career at the moment, AND I am also developing some ideas for a podcast. Stay tuned!!!”

Where can we follow your amazing journey?

P: “@pauuzzo on all platforms!.”

Je’Kayla Crawford– Founder and Director– Je’Kayla has been a journalist for years and decided to start a publication of her own, New Scene. When not helping her team and working on the monthly issues, you can find her watching a movie on Netflix or baking using a viral Tasty recipe.