'Top Model's' New Cycle To Feature Transgender Contestant

Access Hollywood - August 13, 2008 11:33 AM PDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Tyra Banks is known for breaking down walls in the world of modeling, and the supermodel-turned-television mogul is at it again -- this time doing something she's never done in the previous ten cycles of "America's Next Top Model," adding in a transgender contestant.

The reality show about a host of pretty faces vying for a modeling contract and an advertising campaign, will feature Isis, a transgender contestant, a rep for The CW confirmed to Access Hollywood.

"My cards were dealt differently," contestant Isis told Us Weekly about herself.

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The 22-year-old former non-profit worker from Prince George's County, Maryland, identifies herself as "a woman born physically male."

As for Isis being a role model for other people?

"I like to help people, but I'm here to follow my dreams," the aspiring model told the mag.

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GLAAD president Neil G. Giuliano believes Isis' inclusion is major step for the transgender community.

"The inclusion of Isis on 'America's Next Top Model' offers 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," Neil G. Giuliano, GLAAD President told Access in statment.

See Isis and all the models complete to "be on top" on the September 3 "Top Model" premiere on The CW.

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comments 1-10 of 37  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • Elisekeys
    I luv Tyra, but her obsession with gays and transgenders really freaks me out sometimes.
    report abuseposted February 19, 2009 9:31 AM PST
  • queen p
    they always say you can't please everybody keep loving god and always keep your head up
    report abuseposted August 15, 2008 7:47 AM PDT
  • queen p
    as for the transgender that was an interesting move tyra !great job! if people stop judging others and start judging themselves maybe they would't talk so much yeah maybe she shouldn've put him in the running with other women but with his own kind. the same things parents hide from their kids are the same things their curious about and try behind parents back this move don
    report abuseposted August 15, 2008 7:45 AM PDT
  • queen p
    if people really wanted to help some women with their self- esteem stop making them think they have to be super thin,real tall and have hair to their butt beauty is very unique give everyone a chance to show theirs!!!!
    report abuseposted August 15, 2008 7:27 AM PDT
  • Masie
    Tyra you rock, your mind is open and you truly love everyone , whether its size , race , are age. God knew what he was doing when he gave you the power to make changes, this world is so cruel, and these women with there hateful nonunderstanding comments be the same women whatching your show for accemptance becuase of being to over weight, are the wrong color, Acceptance is the Key
    report abuseposted August 15, 2008 7:05 AM PDT
  • Masie
    GENERIC GIRLS ARE SCARED, women upsets me , soon as they put a transgenered woman on the air the fish , the gay community like to call women, gets jealous and its okay, men still going to cherish yall, its just that tranzy have a bit more and yes we do look good, and our bodys stay fit for a long time, but dont hate, congradulat!!! and about the kids situation , please child, stop using excuses
    report abuseposted August 15, 2008 6:54 AM PDT
  • Fortune k
    hi tyra,my family and i,love your show but please with this trasgender act,it is too much .How will the natural girls feel with this trasgender around them.What are you trying to teach our children?Well tyra,maybe you are indirectly telling us to stop watching your show.
    report abuseposted August 15, 2008 4:27 AM PDT
  • Pamela G
    in response to a couple of sheree's posts: i agree this isis think is about ratings! but i disagree that "an all black issue of a magazine is not racist". blacks would be screaming "racism!" if there were a whites only mag. and the industry does hire dark-skinned blacks w/non-cauc. features: iman, naomi campbell, beverly johnson..? the only prerequisite
    report abuseposted August 15, 2008 2:04 AM PDT
  • when u have a child tyra you will understand what i mean please there are kids out there that love you know what you are trying to portray
    report abuseposted August 15, 2008 1:10 AM PDT
  • tyra my kids and i watch your show we live in the caribbean trinidad to be exact we love miss and the other but im sorry this is on cycle of ANTM we will not be watching i have two young kids that im trying to install values to you have let me down tyra you"ve taken it a bit too far
    report abuseposted August 15, 2008 1:07 AM PDT
comments 1-10 of 37  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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