As Seen On TV
'Top Model' Twist
By Tracy Phillips
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:31:02 GMT
A new cycle of “America’s Next Top Model” is already upon us, and this season’s twist has been revealed.
One of the 14 models, Isis, is transgender.
“My cards were dealt differently," says the 22-year-old former receptionist in the new issue of US Weekly. Isis says she is "a woman born physically male."
GLAAD president Neil Giuliano told the magazine, "We applaud Tyra Banks and the CW for making this historic visibility of transgender people possible."
Tyra Banks is known for going beyond the usual: last season she picked a plus-sized winner (shocking!) and has previously featured models with heart-tugging back stories such as abuse and homelessness.
“America’s Next Top Model” premieres on the CW Sept. 3rd.
Click here to comment: What do you think of this casting twist?
Message Edited by Tracy_Phillips on 08-14-2008 09:31 AM
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WHAT!??......O..KThu, 14 Aug 2008 15:31:44 GMT | ZIDANE
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Well it's just like us "good ol' americans" to put our stamp of approval on anything no matter what the message we are sending out youth today. Does any body look beyond the dollar any more?Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:33:32 GMT | hotcoffee
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I think this is a positive message to send to todays youth. There are transgendered people in the world...the message should be you don't have to understand it but you do have to accept it. If this model can take great pictures and book jobs...good for her.Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:39:56 GMT | blayblay
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Right, becasue heaven forbid that the message goes out to the youth of America that it is ok to be different, ok to be proud of who you are and ok to support those that are different then you. Maybe it is less about the dollar - and more about the reclaimation of humanity in the world. Teaching people about things instead of allowing them to be ignorantly uneducated and in the dark. Applaud to Tyra and CW for having courage when others lack it.Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:41:44 GMT | HotMommy
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NO one should watch this season for this one reason. Anyone who watches is saying this is ok. Tyra should have thought this one out. She has organizations for young women telling them they should be proud of who they are, by here doing this she's saying if you dont like they way you were created by the Lord, have a doctor cut if off or sew it on. Bad move TyraThu, 14 Aug 2008 15:50:13 GMT | MemphisHennessey
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Congrats to Tyra and the Top Model staff, this is the first step to acceptance. Maybe more people will realize that Isis isn't any different than the other girls, she was just born w/ the wrong chromosome. Good luck to you Isis.Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:55:04 GMT | MikkiNJ
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I just attended a funeral and a candelight vigil for a young transgender person who was recently murdered because of who she was. Just because someone doesn't understand what it means to be born gender variant doesn't mean they should be able to dictate to someone how to live their lives. Or even to take it.People need to be free to be who they are. God calls all of us for different purposes. We should respect each other's right to answer that calling even if we don't understand it.
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:58:13 GMT | bowlwatcher
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The "plus size" model last season was a positive decision. A transgender model is going too far. Bad decision, Tyra.Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:00:27 GMT | Grandmalovescats
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I BELIEVE THIS IS A POSITIVE DECISION. WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT. THATS WHAT THE UNITED STATES IS A BIG OLE MELTING POT. SO GOOD DECISION TYRA!!Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:06:18 GMT | KARAMEL
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As a female-to-male transsexual, I think this is a very positive decision. America needs to learn that we are all humans no matter what religion, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity we are. We are all Americans who deserve the same rights and opportunities. Hopefully, this will help some people shed their prejudices. Good luck, Isis.Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:10:08 GMT | LaughingHyena
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Excellent. Those who don;'t understand this or who rail against this decision are clearly ignorant. I'm not saying you're stupid, but you need an education on this. I used to be in the dark about transgender people until I met a few. Now I understand very well and have made some incredible friends. These are not cross-dressers, drag queens or guys who decide one day they want to be girls. it's much deeper than that. For those who believe in a God that created each of us in His own image and who think badly towards transgender people, you must logically admit that your God screwed up. But He didn't, because He doesn't exist, and people in the transgender community are as beautiful and human as any of you are.Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:11:19 GMT | Idol_Maker
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I can hardly wait for next seasons' handicapped and special-needs contestant.Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:14:14 GMT | urwrongimright
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More hypocrisy from Tyra me thinks. She's always railing against models who do anything to be thin, yet before last year (when people were catching on) the plus sized models went out quick (and the one that won wasn't as plussed sized).Now it may be a grand thing for gay rights, but for Tyra to constantly act as if young girls should be comfortable the way they are, then to promote someone who either underwent radical surgery or radical medical procedure shows her as a fraud.
Whats the difference between a boy saying "I should be a woman so surgery for me" (assuming they are boy as a full boy) and a girl saying "I should be taller so surgery for me"?
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:18:10 GMT | Zaggs
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Oh my! And who are YOU to judge? I thought that was left to Him.You may want to consider reaserching what a transgender person has to go through, not just physically but emotionally, before any amount of "cut[ting] or sew[ing]" can be done. This is okay, and if you were informed about this, you would see.
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:20:21 GMT | SafireFelyne
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Sodom and Gomorrah...Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:20:53 GMT | robertlanswife
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Since the point of being a model is essentially being a living, moving, being from which to hang clothes. If this person makes the clothes look good, then the rest shouldn't matter. Life as a transgendered person begins with a the recognition of a conflict within the individual and is remedied in whatever manner works best for them. Its not for us to judge.Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:21:28 GMT | Cyndie
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That's nice.... however he/she will never walk in the shoes of a real women.Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:24:08 GMT | Litket
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This is not a postitive role model for today. We were not created homosexual, lesbian, transgender, etc. We were created man and woman. I will be skipping this season of Top Model. I am not condemning the person who calls themself "Isis" but they know that life is wrong, and I am tired of hearing the word "tolerance" and "acceptance" What's next? We tolerate pedophiles?? I am not in any way saying that is what this person is, I am simply saying that by accepting something that is wrong, it leads to acceptance of other things that are wrong. You can call me intolerant, and In a way, I am . I am intolerant of what is wrong, although I am not condeming the person themself.Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:24:35 GMT | 1Kimmy
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author urwrongimright writes: body I can hardly wait for next seasons' handicapped and special-needs contestant.i doubt Tyra is "that" caring
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:25:11 GMT | robertlanswife