The new season of "America’s Next Top Model" will feature Isis Tsunami, a transgender model amongst the 14 contestants. He/she is a 22-year-old from Maryland. Tsunami was born a male but says he/she has always felt totally female. She also added, "Some people might say that I’m transgender, some people might say transsexual. Personally I prefer ‘born in the wrong body."
In the Entertainment Tonight preview shown here, Isis wowed Tyra Banks who insisted that Isis Tsunami be included in the contest even after being told by staffers about how extraordinary Isis was. How Isis will fare in the contest remains to be seen. There are a couple of other You Tube clips where you can be the judge. The first one here shows her sharing a runway with another model and the other shows her sashay moves.
Transgender Contestants
Isis Tsunami in America's Next Top Model
Trend Themes
1. Transgender Acceptance - The increasing visibility and acceptance of transgender individuals in mainstream media and entertainment opens up new markets and opportunities for businesses catering to this community.
2. Diversity and Inclusion in Fashion - The inclusion of transgender models on runways and in fashion campaigns signals a shift towards more diverse and inclusive representation in the fashion industry.
3. Representation and Activism in Reality TV - The inclusion of transgender contestants in reality TV shows like America's Next Top Model highlights the importance of representation and activism in media, and presents opportunities for brands to align with social causes and engage with socially-conscious consumers.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - The fashion industry has the opportunity to be at the forefront of the push for diversity and inclusion by hiring and showcasing more transgender models in campaigns and on runways.
2. Beauty - Beauty brands can tailor their products and marketing towards the transgender community by creating more gender-neutral products and hiring transgender models as brand ambassadors.
3. Entertainment - The entertainment industry has the power to influence social attitudes and promote inclusivity through the inclusion of transgender individuals in film, TV and other media forms.