At just 10 years old, the transgender model became the youngest transgender model to walk the New York Fashion Week runway.
A young Noela appeared on the catwalk of Mel Atkinson, designer of the Trans Clothing Company.
Noella was born male, but began to transition socially at the age of four.
“It’s good that I’m already encouraging transgender kids to be themselves,” said the child model.
Her parents Dee McMarr, 35, and Ray, 32, are extremely proud of their daughter.
Dee said: She’s a little pro!
“She had so much fun walking the catwalk and was looking forward to seeing all the people and the cameras. She knows exactly how to move a crowd.
“We are so proud to have Noela as the first transgender child to appear at New York Fashion Week. We are in awe of her confidence and determination.
“Noela already has a huge number of transgender people of all ages contacting her for advice and support.
“Noela is very outspoken and a great advocate for other transgender children.
“It’s great that she can provide this transgender visibility on a global scale. She shows them that trans is beautiful.”
Noela was once a troubled toddler who would often throw tantrums and refuse to wear the clothes her parents tried to make her wear.
Everything changed when Noela went to therapy at age 4 and declared herself a girl.
Her parents feel her daughter is too young to make the medical transition, but have given her the freedom to explore her own identity in the meantime.
“Noella had a rough start to life because she was so unhappy about being perceived as a boy,” Dee said.
“Even at two, she said she wasn’t a little boy.
“She refused to wear boys’ clothes and was throwing tantrums because she was so young and knew what she wanted but didn’t have the words to say it. .
“She hated anything masculine and I should have known sooner so I took her to a gender clinic.
“As soon as we realized it, she blossomed and was finally able to be herself.
“When she was seven, she legally changed her name.
“She also started modeling on the catwalk.
“It was incredibly pure to see her accept herself for who she is.
“She’s unafraid on stage and knows exactly how to handle an audience and a camera.”
Noela’s career is on track and she is booked as a model until November 2022.