Malden baby a finalist in Gap photo contest
Fame has come early for one Malden resident.
William McLaughlin, 1, is one of five finalists in the baby boys' category to become the new face of babyGap.
His mother Rebecca McLaughlin, who works at Mass General Hospital, entered him in the contest after colleagues had submitted pictures of their children.
"They said, 'Why not enter William, he's so cute," she said.
The McLaughlins flew out to San Francisco in mid-November for an all-expenses paid trip after the Gap chose William as a finalist. He was filmed, fitted for different outfits, and photographed for the contest's website, where Maldonians can vote for William over the next two weeks.
"He loved [the photo shoots] because he loves to make people laugh," Rebecca said.
She described William as a "silly" child who loves his dog Mia, playing outside, and an eclectic mix of tunes - "The Wheels on the Bus," "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and the music of Lady Gaga.
"I'm assuming it's the catchy, upbeat sound of her music," Rebecca said, noting that if William wins, his photo will appear at babyGap outlets nationwide for a limited time.
She's been working hard to get out the vote.
"We've got his face plastered all over the hospital," she said, adding that she plans to hang up some flyers today at a local bar where she used to work. But win or lose, she'll always have something to smile about.
"[William] is just a really goofy kid," Rebecca said. "He's never really serious. He makes us laugh all day."
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