Once standing on the brink of collapse at the age of 15, SJ Pretorius not only defied fate but also transformed his pain into the fuel that propelled him onto the international stage. From a South African young man carrying deep, hidden scars, he rose to become a powerful symbol of willpower, style, and modern-day resilience — and is now the Global Ambassador for Global Student Fashion Week 2025.
The face of South Africa and a physique of the aspiration to strive
Born in 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa, SJ Pretorius is one of the brightest faces of the new generation of models and young pageant kings. Standing at 1.93 meters tall, with a piercing gaze and radiant energy, SJ embodies the image of a gentleman who is both grounded and captivating — a prime representative of the new wave of masculinity in the global beauty industry.
As a model, actor, and a familiar face in international male pageants, SJ has earned numerous prestigious titles, including Mister South Africa Teen, Mister Teen World South Africa, and most notably, Mister Teen World 2022 — a major milestone he achieved in Ecuador, South America. In 2024, SJ represented South Africa at the Mister International competition held in Thailand, marking another leap forward in his journey on the global beauty map.
But what truly sets SJ apart isn’t his titles or appearance — it’s the story behind the spotlight. It’s the story of a young man who was once completely paralyzed, had to relearn how to walk from scratch, and ultimately stepped onto the runway on the very legs powered by his unbreakable will.
Reincarnation from the ashes: Story of a body resisting to collapse
At the age of 15 — a time meant for passion and new beginnings — SJ Pretorius faced a painful turning point. A severe injury during a rugby game damaged his spinal cord at the C5–C6 vertebrae, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. “I lost all feeling. I broke down. But deep inside, I never accepted that as the end,” he shared. It took a long and grueling period of physical therapy before SJ could even begin to move again and learn to walk. Rather than surrendering to despair, he chose to pursue something seemingly unrelated — catwalk training, as a way to improve his posture and gait. Miraculously, that decision opened up an entirely new path.
At 17, SJ entered his first modeling competition, even though his legs were still weak and his walk unsteady. “Many people thought I’d fall. And there were moments I almost did. But I got back up, kept walking — and won,” he recalled. That moment wasn’t just a ticket into the fashion world — it was a powerful declaration: there are no limits for those brave enough to keep moving forward.
Beyond fashion and beauty, SJ Pretorius is a young man filled with a deep love for life. He enjoys sports, cooking, and gaming, and he starts every morning with a strong cup of coffee and laughter with friends. These small, genuine moments paint a picture of SJ not just as a “heartthrob”, but as someone real — someone who lives boldly, truthfully, and with purpose.
Global Student Fashion Week: Launching pad of a bold generation
Global Student Fashion Week (GSFW) 2025, held in Hanoi, is one of the most groundbreaking events in contemporary fashion, with a focus on connecting fashion schools, young designers, and inspiring figures from around the world. Featuring over 150 designers from 30 prestigious institutions, 999 global ambassadors, and the presence of numerous international organizations, GSFW is more than just a runway — it is a declaration of a bold-thinking generation.
The appointment of SJ Pretorius as a Global Ambassador for GSFW 2025 marks a significant milestone, not only for him personally but also for the entire male fashion community. “I never imagined I’d have the chance to perform at one of the world’s biggest fashion weeks. It’s a tremendous honor, and I want to use this opportunity to encourage a generation of young men to follow their passion,” he shared.
GSFW celebrates not just beauty, but the stories behind it — journeys like SJ’s, where fashion is not a surface-level appearance, but a powerful expression of inner strength and unyielding spirit.
“Why Not?” A living philosophy guiding courageous steps
In a world still shaped by rigid norms, SJ Pretorius chooses to live by one simple yet powerful question: “Why not?” That question has become his life philosophy — the guiding star behind every decision, from pushing through just three more minutes of physical therapy each day, to boldly stepping onto the runway before his body was fully healed.
“I once couldn’t even stand. But I did it. So I thought — why not try modeling? Why not compete internationally? Why not start my own fashion brand for people with unique body types like mine?” he said, eyes gleaming with conviction. His desire isn’t about proving something — it’s about living fully, stretching the boundaries of his own potential and of the industry he’s passionate about.
Having fought to reclaim every movement, SJ deeply values each moment and is a strong advocate for diversity in the beauty industry. He is a vocal supporter of male participation in pageantry, firmly believing that beauty knows no gender and that loving yourself never makes you “less of a man”. SJ Pretorius is a global icon not because he is flawless, but because he dares to live the life no one else imagined. And it is precisely this spirit that makes him the most powerful voice Global Student Fashion Week 2025 could ever hope to share with the world.
Hailey | Cameron Truong
