KINGSTON, Jamaica – With vitiligo causing her skin to develop white patches, Calaeda Maxwell has had to endure rampant bullying for being different. But her uniqueness became her strength two weeks ago when she met her idol, Jamaican-Canadian fashion model Winnie Harlow.

Maxwell told OBSERVER ONLINE that her “fears disappeared” as she embraced Harlow – who also has the skin condition – on a Kingston street during Jamaica’s carnival celebrations. The heartwarming moment which was captured on video has made international headlines.

“That long hug meant a lot to me, it felt like she was talking to me through our skin,” she said.

Maxwell said she was picked on as a child and always felt isolated.

“Growing up was very hard for me. I never told anyone about how I was getting bullied because I was a bit embarrassed being the only person in my classes with two different skin tones,” she said.

“I read many ignorant comments about my skin and some others about how Winnie is no hero and it really just made me stop and think…have half of these people been a 15-year-old girl with vitiligo? They don’t know the half of it yet. They don’t ever stop and try to understand how hard it may be for others,” she added.

Vitiligo is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or colour. This happens when melanocytes – skin cells that make pigment – are attacked and destroyed, causing the skin to turn a milky-white colour. The condition affects between 0.5 per cent and one per cent of the world’s population.

Harlow encouraged Maxwell to embrace her individualism and her beauty.

“Yah bad gal enuh. Don’t ever forget it. You’re a bad girl from birth. That’s how we do it. Period,” Harlow said, before also encouraging a boy with early signs of the skin condition.

“I love kids and I love my country #jamaica but when that can come together in an overwhelmingly beautiful moment like this…nothing better in life,” the supermodel added in a social media post.

Maxwell said she was “blown away” by Harlow, who she called her “hero”.

“I was overwhelmed with excitement and nerves. I couldn’t believe that I was standing beside the person who has inspired me for so long. But as she began speaking to me, all of my fears disappeared. She was incredibly kind and generous with her time. I was blown away by her passion for her skin,” she told OBSERVER ONLINE.

“She is my hero no matter what anyone would like to say about her. She knows what I’ve been through and she knows what I’m going through,” Maxwell said.