Model and disability activist Jillian Mercado is to the moon about her new campaign gig for the one and only King Bey.
The Guardian reports Mercado, who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy as a child, was cast in Beyonce’s latest push of merchandise supporting her surprise single, “Formation.” Mercado announced the news on Thursday with a photo of herself and models Jennifer Jocelyn and Alayah Lee on her Instagram account.
Mercado is seen dripping in Bey swag such as a white hat embroidered with “hot sauce” and a gray sweater with the lyrics “I twirl on them haters,” because yes we all do. A trip to Beyonce’s online store features Mercado wearing other clever tees and sweatshirts. Mercado signed with IMG Models in 2015 and has been the face of campaigns from Diesel to Nordstrom.
The 28-year-old got her start as a blogger for her site Manufactured 1987, sharing everything in her very fashionable life. She also worked as an intern for fashion mags during her time at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
Jillian’s next move is to nix the term, “wheelchair bound,” which isn’t welcomed in the disability community.
All this press on my announcement on Beys site is truly surreal & amazing. Now how about we fix that word bound…#learnsomethingneweveryday
— Jillian Mercado (@jilly_peppa) March 17, 2016
Slay Jilly, slay!