“I’m alive, isn’t that a beautiful thing.” Isabella Strahan’s motto for life after surviving brain cancer. On the eve of her 19th birthday, Isabella received the kind of news that shatters worlds—a malignant brain tumor diagnosis. Life, which was once filled with the simple joys of being a teenager, transformed into a grueling fight for survival. The daughter of football legend Michael Strahan could have let the weight of her diagnosis crush her spirit. Instead, she chose to document her journey, exposing the raw, unfiltered battle of fighting a cancerous brain tumor—all while learning how to walk, talk, and simply exist all over again. Now, she’s stepping into the fashion world not just as a model but as a symbol of resilience, hope, and advocacy.

Now, Isabella is using that same voice to amplify a cause that hits close to home—mental health awareness. As the face of Kenneth Cole’s Spring 2025 Women’s Wear collection, she isn’t just modeling clothes; she’s modeling courage. When the brand first posted a campaign video featuring her, the message was clear: “This is more than fashion. This is about strength, survival, and the power of speaking up.”

The behind-the-scenes clip only reinforced this message. With a radiant smile and undeniable determination, Isabella introduced herself: “Hi, I am Isabella Strahan at the Kenneth Cole women’s wear shoot to help raise awareness for mental health. Let’s go.” The IG reel was a compilation of the behind-the-scenes fun Isabella had while shooting for Kenneth Cole’s upcoming Spring collection. 

Simple words, but coming from someone who’s endured unimaginable hardships, they carry the weight of lived experience. Kenneth Cole’s caption, “Behind the strength,” couldn’t have been more fitting. Behind the glitz and glamour of a fashion shoot is a young woman who knows what it’s like to fight for every step, every word, every moment of peace.

The campaign aligns perfectly with Kenneth Cole’s legacy of championing social causes. Known for building a mass-market empire of footwear, clothing, and accessories, Kenneth Cole’s brand is not just about fashion—it’s about making statements that matter. With Isa at the forefront, the message is clear: mental health is just as important as physical health, and no one should suffer in silence.

Isabella Strahan’s mental health advocacy after cancer struggles

Mental health struggles often accompany severe physical illnesses, yet they rarely receive the same attention. Isabella is shifting that narrative. Through this campaign, she is advocating not just for those battling cancer but for anyone who has felt lost, isolated, or unheard in their own struggles.

In an interview with the Battlefront podcast, she spoke about how maintaining a positive outlook was essential in her battle against cancer. “At the beginning of my journey, I was not so positive. I only kind of thought about the worst things that could happen. And I think that’s pretty detrimental,” Isabella shared.

But in the darkest moments, Isabella Strahan discovered an unexpected source of light: storytelling. She turned to YouTube, sharing her journey with an honesty that was both gut-wrenching and inspiring. The world watched as she documented her struggles—losing her hair, grappling with exhaustion, re-learning how to walk and talk. But through it all, her voice never wavered. If anything, it grew stronger, not just for herself but for the countless others fighting their own silent battles.

Mental health struggles often run parallel to physical illnesses, yet they rarely receive the same level of attention. Isabella is changing that narrative. She isn’t just advocating for those fighting cancer—she’s advocating for everyone who has ever felt alone in their pain, for those who have struggled to find hope when their world seemed to be falling apart.

Fashion has long been a vehicle for self-expression, but in this case, it’s also a vehicle for change. Kenneth Cole has always championed social causes, and with Isabella at the forefront of this campaign, the message is louder than ever: Strength is beautiful. Vulnerability is powerful. Mental health matters.