Years before Laverne Cox and Caitlyn Jenner were blazing a trail for the transgender community, model Isis King was making waves as the first transgender model on the hit show “America’s Next Top Model.” Since then, King has continued to land groundbreaking gigs as a trans model and in a new interview with NewNowNext, she explains why she and other models like her aren’t going anywhere.
While chatting with the site, King discussed the slow rise of trans models over the past few years and explained that trans models are more than just a trend.
“There’s definitely a trend but it needs to be maintained. Awareness is normality. The more people are aware of us, the sooner I won’t be booked as ’trans model’ Isis King…. And besides,” she said, “we’re not going anywhere.”
King then explained that she hopes more trans models rise to fame both on the runway and in design houses.
“It would be awesome to have more trans people in every part of the industry,” she said. “It will happen—the more awareness there is, the more opportunity there will be. And people will feel comfortable being forthcoming with their stories.”
And King, who has modeled for American Apparel and Betsey Johnson, points to the success of trans models like Andreja Pejic as proof that trans models can sell beauty to the masses.
She said, “There’s a lot more understanding [now]. You have women booking major campaigns—look at Andreja [Pejic] at Makeup Forever. When I was first on ‘Top Model’ there were none of those opportunities. And that was just six-seven years ago.”
Well, we hope as well that the transgender community produces more superstars for the world to see and praise.
