Gerber picks Hmong American baby as this year's spokesbaby

GERBER / VUE

This is the photoof Baby Kairi  that grabbed the judge's attention.

Baby Kairi doesn't know what all the fuss is about. She doesn't care she's made some history. All she cares about is that she is loved and fed and all she has to do is smile or laugh.

Today, Gerber announced an adorable new addition to the Gerber family with the winner of its ninth annual Photo Search. Baby Kairi from Hickory, North Carolina intrigued the judging panel with her delicate expression and the look of wonder in her eyes.

"As soon as we saw her photo, we fell in love with Kairi's expressive eyes and angelic face, looking toward the future and being excited for all that it holds," said Bill Partyka, President and CEO, Gerber. "We believe that every baby is a Gerber baby, and this year, are thrilled to recognize Kairi as the new face of Gerber."

Kairi was chosen as this year's Spokesbaby among a record-breaking 544,000 entries on Instagram. As the face of Gerber for the year, Kairi will be featured on Gerber's social media channels and her family will receive $50,000.

Kairi is the first Gerber baby of Hmong descent. The Hmong people are an ethnic group from East and Southeast Asia.

“Hmong in our eyes is all about the close bonds we have with our relatives during life and afterlife,” Kairi’s mother, Ying Vue, told Today. The new spokesbaby shares a home with her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Her family plans to teach her to read and write in the Hmong language.

“Being surrounded by all her family has been a very positive influence on Kairi’s life, especially when it comes to preserving our culture and tradition,” added her mom, who is a native of Thailand.

GERBER / VUE

Baby Kairi will ghave a strong sense of her Hmong heritage, according to her parents Ying Vue and Peter Yang.

"When we first found out Kairi won, we were speechless and couldn't believe it. We are beyond thrilled that our sweet Kairi is Gerber's 2019 Spokesbaby," said Kairi's mom, Ying Vue. "Kairi's personality is larger than life, and she always maintains a spunky attitude. We hope Kairi's one-of-a-kind, entertaining personality and vibrant facial expressions radiate positivity around the world, just like she does in our home every single day!"

Launched in 2010, Photo Search was inspired by the countless photos received over the years of parents who see their little ones in Gerber's iconic baby logo, which features the original Gerber baby, Ann Turner Cook.

USKA WELCH

Each year, Photo Search continues to grow bigger. Seeing how the world has embraced the welcoming of each Spokesbaby, Gerber is planning to launch Photo Search globally ahead of its 10th anniversary to continue celebrating babies from all communities.

Gerber's commitment to do Anything for Baby, which ensures all babies get off to the best start possible, continues commemorating babies and toddlers of all ages and backgrounds.

Kairi is not the first Asian American baby given this honor. In 2016, picked Isla Isla Welch for her fantastic hair and captivating smile. Now at 3 ½ years old, Isla lives in Troy, Michigan, with her mom, dad, big sister (Nora), baby brother (Jack) and family cat Finnegan.

Kairi's photos and additional information about Photo Search 2018 and Gerber can be found by visiting Gerber's Facebook Page or Gerber's Spokesbaby website.
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