Kiana Deane is a very courageous young lady who, at 12 years old, is an aspiring print model. This Talent To Watch is very unique however. Kiana is unable to smile due to an unusual form of facial paralysis called Bell’s palsy. Yet, she has decided to take this challenge and make it work to her advantage, proclaiming that models don’t always have to smile in their pictures. Despite harsh criticism from her peers, she has decided to pursue her modeling career and wants the world to know, “no matter what your challenge is, it does not have to stop you.” Kiana has recently had surgery to attempt to fix her smile.

Kiana Deane is breaking ground in modeling and has been featured in the Los Angeles Times newspaper as well as on Good Morning America with Robin Roberts. Currently, Kiana is doing print for Dave Thomas Foundation owned by Wendys; she is modeling for a cause. She will be making a second appearance on GMA in the coming weeks.

Hear more about Kiana’s story in the attached video underneath of her on Good Morning America last month, July 14, 2009. See some of Kiara’s modeling shots below. She is beautiful, determined and sure to be going places, so watch out!