Christine McGuinness has opened up about her new campaign Neuro Proud, which is all about empowering neurodivergent people and challenging stereotypes
Christine McGuinness has juggled numerous roles throughout her career – from modelling to reality television and presenting – yet it’s her newest venture as a champion for neurodiversity that brings her the greatest satisfaction.
“I’m so, so proud of it,” she gushes whilst discussing her groundbreaking initiative Neuro Proud with OK!, developed alongside Models of Diversity, a charitable organisation dedicated to advancing inclusivity across fashion, beauty and media sectors. I can’t believe I came up with this idea – and now it’s here.”
Following her autism and ADHD diagnosis in 2021 aged 33, Christine – now 37 – represents part of an expanding group of British adults receiving late diagnoses, frequently after decades of feeling alienated from their surroundings, reports the Mirror.
“I felt very distant, like I didn’t understand people – and like I didn’t really understand myself,” she reflects. “I now feel so connected, so in-tune, so intuitive… I understand myself completely.”
This transformative personal experience has driven Christine to advocate for enhanced representation and awareness of neurodivergent individuals – particularly women – through her visually compelling Neuro Proud campaign, which she has supervised from conception to completion.
The photoshoot, featuring an entirely neurodivergent team both behind and in front of the camera, invited each participant to select one negative and one positive term that best encapsulates their lived experience as a neurodivergent individual. The subject strikes particularly close to Christine’s heart, given that her three children with former husband Paddy McGuinness – 12 year old twins Leo and Penelope, plus eight year old Felicity – are all on the autism spectrum.
Despite the former pair separating in 2022 and completing their divorce proceedings in 2024, she and 51 year old Paddy continue to share parenting duties whilst living together at their Cheshire residence. In this interview, Christine opens up to new about domestic life, embracing being “original”, and experiencing unprecedented levels of pride…
She was asked ‘as someone raising autistic youngsters, do concerns about them encountering similar harsh experiences to yours ever cross your mind?’ To which she answered: “Absolutely, that worry constantly lingers in my thoughts. As a mother, your natural impulse is to shield your little ones from anything that previously caused you pain.
“However, what fills me with optimism is that they’re maturing during an era with greater understanding and tolerance compared to my childhood years. They have me championing their cause and they’re discovering that their uniqueness deserves celebration – rather than embarrassment.”
She was also asked what ways does the condition impact their typical daily routine, and she shared: “Structure forms an enormous component of our household. It provides them with stability and reassurance.
“Even minor alterations can seem overwhelming for them, which is why we organise everything meticulously.”
Before adding: “So many labels follow you around when you’re misunderstood – “disconnected”, “unsocial”, “difficult”, “unreliable”.
“I’ve encountered people who’ve criticised me for being reserved, requiring personal space, or avoiding direct eye contact. However, I’ve come to realise that these judgements reveal far more about others’ limited comprehension than they do about my character.
“That’s the essence of Neuro Proud – reclaiming those terms and transforming them into sources of strength.”
Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz here
Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
