3-year-old Fayetteville model struts the runway at New York Fashion Week

Taylor Shook, Fayetteville Observer
Updated ·2 min read

New York Fashion Week brings models, designers, media and celebrities from all over the world to the Big Apple twice each year — including a Fayetteville toddler who walked the runway in last month’s event.

Zuri Ealy, 3, strutted the catwalk in three New York Fashion Week shows on Sept. 8 and 9, her mother Shamikia Ealy, 40, said.

“It was exhilarating to see her up there, looking beautiful, and taking direction well,” Ealy said.

More: Fayetteville to New York Fashion Week, a model company 'puts on for city': Rakeem Jones:

The toddler was invited to the event by Fayetteville designer Tailor-Made by Tae and former “America’s Next Top Model” contestant Victoria Henley’s brand, Magnifique, she said.

Fayetteville model Zuri Ealy, 3, walks the runway at the New York Fashion Week Beautiful You Fashion Tour, Sept. 9 2023.
Fayetteville model Zuri Ealy, 3, walks the runway at the New York Fashion Week Beautiful You Fashion Tour, Sept. 9 2023.

Initially, some designers told Ealy that her daughter was not old enough to participate.

“They don’t usually take children that young, because it’s a very intense and fast-paced event,” she said.

Related: Fayetteville girl and mom help develop young models

Despite the two-day whirlwind of rehearsals, hair, makeup and shows, Ealy said that her daughter stayed motivated and kept her energy high by finding time to nap between strutting her stuff.

“It was nothing for her,” she said. “Not only was she doing it, but she was doing it well.”

Zuri's father, Lamarcus, 41, and her sister, Patience, 15, also tagged along to cheer her on.

Ealy, who hails from Rockingham, said her daughter is no stranger to the limelight. Zuri has also competed in the Put on for My City kids' fashion and talent show in Fayetteville for the last two years, taking first place in the Tiny Tot division this year.

The younger Ealy has competed in Sumter Fashion Week in South Carolina and is a brand ambassador for Tailor Made by Tae and Fayetteville cosmetic brand Kissy K by Kailahni Carter.

Fayetteville model Zuri Ealy, 3, walks the runway at the New York Fashion Week Magnifique show, Sept. 9 2023.
Fayetteville model Zuri Ealy, 3, walks the runway at the New York Fashion Week Magnifique show, Sept. 9 2023.

In the future, her mother hopes for her to work in print advertisements and television commercials.

“If she continues to enjoy it, that’s what we’ll be trying to do,” Ealy said.

Follow Zuri Ealy's modeling journey @zuriannmarie on TikTok, Instagram and Youtube.

Food, dining and culture reporter Taylor Shook can be reached at tshook@gannett.com, on Twitter, or Facebook. Want weekly food news delivered to your inbox? Sign up for the Fayetteville Foodies newsletter. 

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville toddler, Zuri Ealy, models at New York Fashion Week shows