Transgender Contestant to Compete on Top Model
Wednesday August 13, 2008
One of the 14 girls who will compete on the new season of America's Next Top Model – which returns to The CW on September 3 – is transgender.
"My cards were dealt differently," Isis, a 22-year-old former receptionist, tells Us Weekly exclusively in its new issue, on newsstands now.
Hailing from Prince George's County, Maryland, Isis identifies herself as "a woman born physically male."
Will she be a role model?
"I like to help people, but I'm here to follow my dreams," she tells Us.
The inclusion of Isis is being hailed by GLAAD president Neil Giuliano as "an unprecedented opportunity for a community that is underrepresented on television.
"We applaud Tyra Banks and The CW for making this historic visibility of transgender people possible," Giuliano said.
http://www.usmagazine.com/transgender-contestant-to-compete-on-antm
(another article)
America’s Next Top Model’s transgender contestant
“Anyone who’s wavered on his or her opinion of Tyra Banks might want to step back and rethink things,” said Rebecca Armendariz in a Washington Blade blog, now that “there’s going to be a transgender contestant on the next season of America’s Next Top Model!” Letting “male-to-female aspiring model, Isis” compete is a big step for the show, and great news.
It’s kind of surprising, though, said the blog Zimbio. One of Tyra’s “favorite ways to belittle contestants” on the show is to “point out how much they look like drag queens.” In the past, several contestants were “made fun of for their supposed masculinity.” What’s Tyra going to say now?
The whole thing is just a publicity stunt anyway, said the blog I’m a Pazzo Kevin. “Previous twists in past ANTM seasons have been to include contestants who are lesbian, bisexual, plus size, autistic, and twins.” This season, it’s a transgender girl. It seems like Tyra will do anything to boost ratings.
“I honestly don’t know how I feel about this,” said the blog It’s not you. It’s not me. It’s TV! On one hand, it’s great that Tyra is giving the spotlight to a transgender person. But on the other, Tyra could be exploiting Isis. “I wonder if this poor girl’s dreams will be crushed on national TV just for the sake of good” television.
http://www.theweekdaily.com/article/index/88050/3/3/Americas_Next_Top_Models_transgender_contestant
