06.27.22
Fencing champion Bebe Vio Grandis is the new spokeswoman for L’Oreal Paris.
According to the company, Grandis is an emblem for overcoming hardship and embracing resilience, values at the heart of L’Oréal Paris.
“Not only is Bebe Vio Grandis the best fencing champion in the world but, she is also a truly emblematic icon for her generation,” said Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, global brand president of L’Oréal Paris. “She is the ultimate symbol of overcoming hardship and embracing resilience. We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome her into the L’Oréal Paris family and have her encouraging all women to trust in the power of their worth.”
Grandis was only 11 when development of acute meningitis caused her to lose her limbs. Not one to allow an illness to govern her life, she fought back—later becoming the first and only athlete in the world to fence without arms.
“I realized that I was enjoying wheelchair fencing much more than standing fencing,” said Grandis. “In wheelchair fencing, you can’t run away. You can’t be afraid.”
Among the youngest faces of the brand, Grandis has already resumed her place with L’Oréal Paris, walking in Le Défilé in 2021 and featured in Italian campaigns for True Match Tinted Serum and Air Volume Mascara.
“L’Oréal Paris helps women to realize their worth, which is something that really speaks to me on a personal level,” said Grandis. “So I couldn’t be happier to be joining them again on this next chapter of our journey together.”
‘The Rising Phoenix’
Spotlighting Paralympic games and how they impact a global understanding of disability, diversity and distinction, Grandis has also helped to inspire the next generation with her very own doll, which was created as part of Barbie’s 60th anniversary celebrations.
Grandis’ scout group used to call her “The Rising Phoenix,” and over a decade later, she was the subject of an eponymous Netflix documentary highlighting women in Paralympics, bringing her strength, optimism and determination to legions of new fans.
Grandis embodies the idea that misfortune can be transformed into something glorious. Urging others to pursue their goals however unattainable, Grandis’ own dream is to become president of the CIP (Italian Paralympic Committee) as well as the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) where she aspires to unify the two in one big Italian Sport Committee.
In her quest to make sports accessible to all, Grandis is committed to her involvement with the Association Art4Sport, which was set up by her parents to help promote sport as therapy in the physical and psychological recovery of children with limb prostheses.
“Sports makes you ready for anything; to bounce back, to give it your best and to rise again even when you have succumbed to bad luck,” she said.
Her fighting spirit and zest for life won her every international Paralympic competition she’s competed in, racking up 64 gold and silver medals to date.