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Home / Lifestyle

Bullied schoolboy Quaden Bayles finds fame as an Instagram influencer

By Shireen Khalil
news.com.au·
15 Jun, 2021 07:36 PM4 mins to read

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Mother shares footage of son, nine, with dwarfism after he was bullied. Video / Yarraka Bayles

Quaden Bayles is the young boy whose story captivated the entire the world.

The 10-year-old, who lives with a common form of dwarfism, had people in tears last year when mother Yarraka Bayles filmed him in the back seat of a car sobbing, showing the harrowing affects of bullying.

In the viral video, he told his mother: "Give me a knife – I want to kill myself."

However, since then, young Quaden has not only gone on to become an anti-bullying advocate with his campaigning resulting in positive changes, he has also now found fame as an influencer.

Quaden Bayles shares a beaming snap, dabbling in the influencer life. Photo / Instagram
Quaden Bayles shares a beaming snap, dabbling in the influencer life. Photo / Instagram
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In his latest Instagram post, the Murri boy shares a beaming snap with his 346,000 followers, where he plugs a sustainable brand designed for kids – even listing his favourite items.

"Allkinds is a place where kids can confidentially be themselves," his post reads.

"They have 6 awesome worlds, each with a different smell! My favourite is their Superfresh world. Superfresh is all about encouraging kids to get out on the sports field and give it a go!"

The Aussie brand, which sells skin care products and fashion accessories, feature an "Awesome Kid" a month – and for June, they have chosen Quaden.

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The anti-bullying advocate has collaborated with a kid's skin care range that promotes sustainability. Photo / Instagram
The anti-bullying advocate has collaborated with a kid's skin care range that promotes sustainability. Photo / Instagram

When asking him if he could change the world in one way, the 10-year-old responded:

"I'd put an end to bullying."

"And so he is, one conversation at a time: Quaden is Allkinds' Awesome Kid of the Month, since we think his everyday kindness and confidence is really cool (and something all of us can do)," AllKinds wrote in an Instagram post.

In December, it was revealed Quaden was officially Google's top "trending kid" in Australia for 2020.

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by allkinds (@allkinds)

More Aussies had searched his name on Google in 2020 than anyone else under the age of 18 – and after Australia's Indigenous All Stars team invited Quaden to walk with them on pitch for an exhibition match that same month, search interest for anti-bullying doubled to reach its highest peak in Australia in 12 months

Apart from his almost half a million Instagram followers, the 10-year-old also boasts a database of celebrity friends.

Some of his new A-lister friends include Australian professional boxer Billy Dib who was giving young Quaden free boxing lessons.

After Quaden's bullying video went viral, Dib was one of many sports stars and celebrities to come forward to support him.

Others included Hugh Jackman, Cardi B and US comedian Brad Williams who helped raise A$700,000 to send Quaden and his family to Disneyland.

The Bayles' kindly declined, insisting the money go to charity instead.

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With one quick scroll through Quaden's Instagram profile, it's clear just how far he has come – not only from the big grin on his face, but the endless comments from people whose lives he has touched.

Quaden - you’ve got a friend in me. #BeKind @LokelaniHiga https://t.co/8dr3j2z8Sy pic.twitter.com/jyqtZYC953

— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) February 20, 2020

"Thank you for making a difference in the world. You are really an INSPIRATION!" I'm so sorry that you sweethearts have gone through this tragedy," one woman from Georgia, USA, wrote in a postcard to the Bayles family.

"Truly blessed and humbled by the outpouring of love and support. Thanks to everyone for all your kind words, really means a lot to us," the family responded in an Instagram post.

Looking for support? It's available

• Call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor

• Call PlunketLine 24/7 on 0800 933 922

• Depression helpline: Freephone 0800 111 757

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• Healthline: 0800 611 116 (available 24 hours, 7 days a week and free to callers throughout New Zealand, including from a mobile phone)

• Lifeline: 0800 543 35

• Samaritans: 0800 726 666

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