Fashion Icons is all for equal rights in fashion. There are certainly not nearly enough women of color represented in our industry. But we can't help but to think that the producers of ANTM are digging for ratings for this next season. This appears to be merely a publicity tactic on Tyra's behalf. One of the 14 models who will compete on the new season of America's Next Top Model is transgender. Hailing from Prince George's County, Maryland, Isis identifies herself as "a woman born physically male." If you haven't heard yet you are NOT a Fashion Icon.
We are not sure what has prompted the producers of this season's ANTM to allow a transgender contestant but they must think that we remember the gorgeous Latina transgender model Claudia Charriez a semi-finalist on Season 6 of America's Next Top Model who was disqualified from the show.
Janice Dickinson didn't agree with Tyra's decision so when she left ANTM and started The Janice Dickinson Agency (which airs on the Oxygen Channel) Claudia made a brief appearance in her new faces division. But even Janice was out ruled by her staff and Claudia was sent packing during Janice's first cut of talent. So I wouldn't be so quick to pat ANTM on the back for being "politically correct".
So what are the hopes of a transgender contestant winning America's Next Top Model. According to US Weekly, the president of Gay and Lesiban Alliance Against Defamation, Neil Giuliano, proclaimed Isis' casting "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."
America's Next Top Model returns to the CW with a 2 hours season premiere for cycle 11 on Sept 3.
1 comment:
Yeah for Transgenders...now can Tyra do a show comprised of all plus models??? That would be a VERY interesting cycle!
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