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| Photo: @msisisking on Instagram |
Isis King (born October 1, 1985) is an American model, actress, and fashion designer. Most widely known for her role on both the eleventh cycle and the seventeenth cycle of the reality television show America's Next Top Model, she was the first trans woman to compete on the show, and became one of the most visible transgender people on television.
She was assigned male at birth but has stated that "mentally and everything else" she was "born female." She has stated that people might refer to her as "transgender" or "transsexual", but she prefers the phrase "born in the wrong body". While in high school, King came out as "gay" but later felt that it was not an accurate label for her.
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| Photo: @msisisking on Instagram |
She has an associate degree in design and illustration from the Art Institute of Philadelphia. King moved to New York to begin her transition from male to female, but didn’t earn enough money to afford rent and because her family opposed her transition. As a result, she moved into the Ali Forney Center for homeless LGBTQ youth.
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| Photo: @msisisking on Instagram |
In 2007, King appeared in an MSNBC special titled Born in the Wrong Body, which documented the lives of transgender teens from across the United States.Isis King began hormone replacement therapy in the summer of 2007, as part of her transitioning process. She had gender reassignment surgery in 2009, which she stated on America's Next Top Model: All-Stars.
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| Photo: @msisisking on Instagram |
She had been runway modeling for seven years before participating in America's Next Top Model. Her experience included competing in the underground ball culture scene. In a promotional interview for ANTM, King stated she was looking forward to runway as she had been "walking" for seven years. Her post-show runway credits include the Amore Fashion Show, Howard University Homecoming Fashion Show, Colors Fall/Winter 2009–10 Line, Secret Society, and Images Fashion Show (for which she received an award).
She has also worked as a receptionist at a hair salon, and as a program assistant for a nonprofit organization.
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| Photo: @msisisking on Instagram |
- Source: Wikipedia