8 Transgender Models You Need to Know (2024)

These models are doing major things—in the fashion industry and beyond. Here are their inspiring stories.

Geena Rocero

Why you should know her: After a nearly decade-long career modeling for companies like Rimmel London and Hanes, she gave a crazy-inspiring TED talk in March 2014 that's since been viewed more than 2.6 million times. (She's also spoken at the White House and at the UN.) Rocero is also the founder of Gender Proud, a nonprofit that does advocacy work for the transgender community.

Tell us about your background and how you first got into modeling.

"I moved to New York in 2005 to pursue a modeling career. Having been born and raised in the Philippines, I realized that if I was really going to pursue a career in modeling, I needed to be here. I left my family in San Francisco and moved east at 21. The first job I got was as a hostess at Libation on Ludlow Street in the Lower East Side; within a month of working there, a photographer discovered me. The rest, as they say, is history."

What motivated you to give your TED talk?

"I was finally ready to share my story. I was ready to discard the shame I'd been feeling, ready to face my fears. I also wanted to give back to my community, which has loved and supported me from a very young age, especially the trans women who I grew up with in the Philippines."

How have things changed for you since you did the TED talk?

"I launched Gender Proud, and that work continues to expand. I travel a lot now, speaking on academic and corporate campuses, talking about my journey and the trans experience more broadly. I feel healed; sharing my story healed me and turned my shame into joy and gratitude."

What type of work are you doing with Gender Proud?

"Gender Proud envisions a world where all trans people have equal rights under the law. The advocacy work takes us to countries all over the world, where we work with local partners to expand the legal rights of all trans persons. We're regularly producing media about the trans experience, which is designed to promote inclusion and dismantle stereotypes."

Did you have a certain "I made it" moment in your career?

"I'm always evolving, but meeting the president and being invited to speak at the White House was a huge honor. Speaking at the UN was an honor as well; however, I realize my journey is ever-changing and expanding. And I'm so grateful for it."

When have you felt most beautiful?

"I feel most confident, assured, and happy when I'm around the trans community—but specifically trans youth—who inspire me and make me feel like my work has such incredible meaning."

Who has inspired you most?

"The trans community: Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson, Miss Major, Janet [Mock], Laverne [Cox], Carmen [Carrera], and communities in the Philippines."

What's your ultimate dream job?

"I'm doing it!"

What's up next for you?

"Gender Proud is going to do some amazing things this year. And I have the opportunity to be involved in some big media projects, which I'm also excited about. My plan right now is to continue to follow my curiosity; it hasn't led me astray yet."

What does beauty mean to you?

"When a person has gone through the journey of finding and pursuing their most authentic self, and shares that gift, for me, that's beautiful."

Carmen Carrera

Why you should know her: Carrera rose to fame on RuPaul's Drag Race and has since appeared in high-profile shoots including a spread in W shot by Steven Meisel. For her newest project, she plays a hairstylist in Ricki and the Flash, a movie starring Meryl Streep that comes out next month.

Did you have a certain "I made it" moment in your career?

"The last time I felt I had this 'I made it' moment would have to be when I signed with Elite [Model Management]."

When have you felt most beautiful? Most confident?

"I feel the most beautiful when I wake up in the morning. I feel the most confident when I am at peace with who I am and when I am not afraid of everyone else's judgments."

What inspires you most?

"The idea of feminism inspires me the most, because for a long time, [I felt that because] I was born with male genitalia, I wasn't allowed to express my femininity and my desire to be a woman."

What is something you most hope to accomplish for the transgender community?

"I consider myself an activist for women like me, who want to be confident and don't want to be judged. I want to be able to supply the knowledge that transgender women need in order to live peacefully and become accepted among all men and women."

What's your ultimate dream job?

"I want to be able to have a chance to be truly accepted as a model at all levels, aside from running my own successful company and being a good mother. I want the chance to be able to sell clothes and beauty products like any other model. Being the face of a fashion company or landing a beauty contract would mean a lot to me."

What's up next for you?

"I have a movie coming out August 7 with Meryl Streep; a VH1 TV show in October with my husband, Adrian [Torres]; various acting projects on TV, and some editorial work coming out soon."

What does beauty mean to you?

"Beauty is the ability to utilize the tools provided in order to showcase your spirit, in order to show your true soul. Beauty comes from within, but it's up to us to use fashion and beauty to express who we are on the inside. Beauty is the idea of who you truly are."

Hari Nef

Why you should know her: She's IMG Worldwide's first-ever transgender model. She recently announced she'll be joining the cast of Amazon's Transparent.

How did you first get into modeling?

"While acting is my main focus, I've always gravitated toward fashion. I interned for casting director Jennifer Venditti and creative director Fabien Baron while I was in college. I learned a lot, but I was never satisfied behind the scenes. But what were my options? I couldn't make clothes, and I didn't look like a typical model, so I tabled fashion and focused on acting. I began transitioning. The hormones changed my body, my face. I was happier, too, and more open. Some of my best friends are photographers, and they started asking to shoot me around last summer. Last fall, I walked in two of my friends' fashion shows. Suddenly, people started to refer to me as a model. On the other hand, a lot of people wrote me off as an edgy guest star with cool friends. They still do, actually, but there came a point where I was shooting every week, sometimes two or three times in a single weekend (I was in class on weekdays). I was having fun, but I wanted to call it work. I wanted to be paid for my work. I sought agency representation, and pretty much every major New York agency said no or wouldn't meet with me. Then I met with IMG."

Did you have a certain "I made it" moment in your career?

"Absolutely not. I haven't accomplished a fraction of what I hope to."

When have you felt most beautiful?

"I struggle to feel beautiful. No one tells trans women they are beautiful, and if they do it's in comparison to cisgender women. Beauty sucks. Sure, I feel beautiful when my skin's clear, when my clothes fit. I feel beautiful when people use the correct gender pronouns to refer to me. Beauty is experienced differently for men and women, and I've only had about a year and a half to figure out how to feel beautiful as a woman. Beauty culture is scary and painful. I'm still learning how to feel comfortable in a beauty I define for myself—or hope to, eventually."

Most confident?

"Confidence is different, because it's not just about the way you look. I've never considered myself beautiful—but competent? Sure. People regarded me as male for most of my life: They listened to me when I spoke and encouraged me to pursue my ambitions. Women are far less likely to get treated that way, as I have been quick to learn. I wouldn't say womanhood has withered or diminished my confidence, but it has changed it. It's difficult to speak about women at large, but maybe you could say that a woman's confidence is less entitled than a man's confidence. Aggressive, blind, masculine confidence is a thing of my past. I feel most confident when I'm prepared, when I've done my homework—and when my mind and body are open to the task in front of me."

What does beauty mean to you?

"I think beauty is the pursuit of an authentic self. Some asshole told me that I would never be happy because my life is all about 'becoming'—but what are your options as a transgender person in transition? I think everyone is in pursuit of themselves, and trans folks happen to wear it on their sleeves. The people whom I find most beautiful are the people whom you can't compare to anyone else—people who do what works for them. 'Dare to be different' is a cliché, but in my experience it's the best thing you can tell yourself. Beauty is survival, especially survival against the odds."

Who has inspired you most?

"Trans women of color are the mothers of the American queer community as we know it. I would have no voice or means to be who I am without the achievements and influence of trans women of color. I want to shout out Marsha P. Johnson, Connie Fleming, Octavia St. Laurent, Janet Mock, and Laverne Cox."

What is the most important thing you hope to accomplish as an activist for the transgender community?

"Transgender people are the coolest, most beautiful, most intelligent, most powerful people in the world. Unfortunately, most people treat us like sh*t. As for me, I'm white, I'm college educated, I've got a solid support system, I've got a job and citizenship to a first-world country. Aside from being transgender, I couldn't be much more privileged. I feel like I've had to fight tooth and claw to get where I am, but in the grand scheme of things, my career was practically handed to me. I have an immense responsibility to use my platform to improve the lives of trans women, especially trans women of color. After me, you should go and talk to a trans woman of color, because they need a platform a lot more than the white girls do. At the end of the day, trans women can't catch a break. That's why so many of us are unemployed, suicidal, and isolated from our families. What do I want to accomplish in the transgender community? Food and shelter would be a great start, and the right to use toilets in peace. Legal protection from professional discrimination would be nice. Empathy from cisgender folks would be nice. I could go on, but let's start there."

What's your ultimate dream job?

"My current job!"

What's up next for you?

"I'm in L.A. until September filming. I can't talk about the project yet, but I couldn't be more excited. [Editor's note: Since the time of this interview, Nef announced that she'd be appearing in the next season of Transparent.] I'll be back on the East Coast for Fashion Week in September, so we'll see what happens. I know I'm an actress/model and I know what the clichés are, but I don't want to be beautiful or famous as much as I want to work. If I can work, I'm happy."

Lea T

Why you should know her: Often cited as the first transgender supermodel, Lea was discovered by Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci in 2010 and became his muse. She's since appeared in magazines and on runways around the world, as well as in the Italian version of Dancing With the Stars in 2013. In November 2014, she was named the face of Redken.

How did you first get into modeling?

"Modeling was not something I had originally planned or wanted for myself. I'm lucky and thankful to my friend Riccardo Tisci, who started me with one of his amazing campaigns for Givenchy. Through my job, I've been trying to give a positive message to everyone out there, and I think it's been very well received so far."

Did you have a certain "I made it" moment in your career?

"When I became the face of Redken, I felt pride, honor, [and] responsibility. [I felt] that I had finally made it and that everything is possible, thanks to their brave decision. Redken is such an iconic brand, and it's truly an honor. I think hair is one of the things that people can change to match their mood and to make them feel original."

When have you felt most beautiful?

"When I look at myself in the mirror, I see a strong woman. Sometimes I can feel vulnerable, but when I look at myself and think of my journey, I remind myself that I am strong."

Who has inspired you most?

"My beauty inspiration growing up was my mum. She was, and still is, my inspiration. My mum has beautiful hair, and when I was young, I used to be so envious of it."

What does beauty mean to you?

"I think beauty is different for everyone. What I find beautiful is someone's spirit. If someone is genuine, it's obvious in everything they do, and it doesn't matter what they look like. Honesty and truth are beautiful to me. Beauty comes from inside; beauty is your inner soul. Everybody is different, and beauty doesn't have to be perfect."

What's up next for you?

"Right now I'm in Brazil with my family, enjoying my downtime."

Andreja Pejic

Why you should know her: Before completing her transition, Pejic (who at the time was known as Andrej) had a successful modeling career, capitalizing on an androgynous look. Since completing gender confirmation surgery in January 2014, Pejic returned to the runway in Giles's fall 2015 show and made history as the first transgender model to have a profile in Vogue. She was named the face of Make Up For Ever in June. It was also just announced that she'll be appearing in a documentary about her journey.

Did you have a certain "I made it" moment in your career?

"Probably earlier this year when [I found out] I was going to be working with Make Up For Ever and Vogue. Last year was a pretty difficult year for me. I completed my transition, I had surgery in the beginning of last year, and I had to deal with changing agencies and changing careers, so it was a pretty intense year. I faced quite a lot of rejection, and it made me doubt things. So it felt amazing to come out on top of it all in such a major way."

How did you feel when Make Up For Ever approached you?

"My agent called me one day [to say], 'There's a cosmetic brand that is really interested,' and I was like, 'Oh, my God.' It took a while to all sink in—I guess I didn't expect it to come this early—but it was just an incredible feeling."

What did the Make Up For Ever contract mean to you personally?

"It feels like a pretty big achievement. I was told many times that I probably wouldn't have much of a career when I transitioned, that being publicly open about being trans and being a successful female model couldn't coexist. I was told, 'You can't really be a trans woman as the face of a cosmetics brand or a perfume brand because women just won't buy the product,' and I always thought that was a little shortsighted. It's like telling Naomi Campbell she can't sell products to white women. It feels great to prove [those people] wrong and to also be part of this incredible time when these things are coming to visibility. A cosmetic contract is like the Oscars of the modeling world. It's what you aspire to. So it's a great personal achievement. I think it sends a positive message to people in the LGBT community and even outside of it, and shows that you can be different or unique and still be considered beautiful."

What do you think it meant for the trans community in general?

"Having Make Up For Ever allow me not only to be the face of their company, but to tell my story and my experience and make that part of the campaign, is amazing. And I think it's something that's pretty brave. My dream is for people to see the campaign in Sephora and feel good about themselves. I want children to know that being different doesn't mean you can't be successful."

What has your relationship with makeup been like?

"From a very young age, I'd watch my mother putting on makeup. I was obsessed with her purple lipstick and her blush colors—makeup was just something so intriguing and something forbidden to me. It sort of marked growing up and being a woman, and that's what I wanted to do. When I was a little bit older, I was forced to adhere to social norms and live life as a hetero-normative boy. I would dress up in my bathroom and put on makeup, and I would see someone who kind of looked like a girl, and it made me happy. Otherwise I didn't really enjoy looking in the mirror. Then once I came out to my mom at the age of 14 and had the family support, I decided it was time to express my femininity. I wasn't going to come out to my friends as trans; they may not have understood. So I expressed myself in different ways: There was unisex clothing, which was kind of a compromise of not trying to hide completely. There was a lot of eyeliner, pale foundation, and kind of dramatic makeup. Then after my emo phase ended, I guess I sort of started spending time with the popular girls in school, and bronzer was a big deal. We looked quite orange. When I started modeling, I discovered great makeup backstage, so I slowly started learning."

When have you felt most beautiful?

"I've never felt more beautiful or confident than I do today. Confidence is something that keeps growing in a person...but I feel like I'm at a much better place then where I was before my transition."

Who has inspired you most?

"My mother. She raised two kids on her own through two wars. What else can I say?"

What's your ultimate dream job?

"I actually don't know yet. I definitely want to go to college at some point, so we'll see. I think it's healthy for a human to do different things in one life."

What does beauty mean to you?

"Comfort in your skin."

Aydian Dowling

Why you should know him: Dowling first began his YouTube channel ALionsFears in 2009 to chronicle his transition and has since amassed close to 25,000 subscribers. His compilation video has been viewed more than half a million times. When Dowling re-created Adam Levine's iconic nude photo shoot for FTM magazine, the image went viral. Currently, he is a quarterfinalist in Men's Health's Ultimate Guy contest and is ahead in popular votes by a margin of nearly 50,000. If he wins, he'll be the first transgender model to appear on the magazine's cover. You also may have seen him discussing his story with Ellen DeGeneres on her show in May. He also runs a clothing company called Point 5cc.

What made you first decide to start posting videos about your transition?

"I'm 27 now, but I first came out as a transgender male when I was 22 and starting hormone replacement therapy. I've continued my medical transition with what is more commonly known as 'top surgery,' which is the removal of breast tissue to sculpt a more masculinized chest. When I first realized I was identifying as male, I looked to the Internet to help me find a sense of community. At the time there wasn't much around except a handful of Yahoo groups and some sketchy websites. And then there was YouTube. YouTube had a small niche of trans guys who were posting videos and giving updates on their transitions. When I found this community, I knew that I too wanted to start making videos and try to feel a sense of community or brotherhood with other people out there just like me."

Did you have a certain "I made it" moment?

"I've had a few of those moments. To me, 'making it' means that you can look in the mirror and smile because it's you looking back. I made it when I saw myself next to Adam Levine's iconic shot. I made it when someone came up to me at an event and thanked me for supporting them when they felt they had no one. I made it when I hugged one of my idols, Ellen DeGeneres."

What made you want to enter the Men's Health Ultimate Guy contest?

"I entered the contest because I had received two or three e-mails all within a 48-hour time frame suggesting I enter. I was a little hesitant at first because there were already a couple hundred people entered, and I knew it might be a long shot going up against some of these guys. But then I realized it wasn't all about the aesthetics of the 'Ultimate Guy.' It's about what he stands for and how he treats himself as well as others. These people who wanted to back me up gave me the extra push to enter."

You've made it to the quarterfinals, and you're currently leading the number of votes by a margin of about 50,000. Congratulations! How does that feel?

"The feeling of being in first place and making it to the quarterfinals is amazing. The support I've gotten is truly unbelievable. I'm still in disbelief that I'm so largely ahead. It was done by the people who want to show support for the transgender community and show that all men are created differently, but that doesn't mean we cannot be treated equally."

What will it mean to you if you win?

"It'll be a sign that I'm doing exactly what I'm meant to do. This will be monumental to the transgender community and its progress in the protection of its people and their rights as human beings."

Who has inspired you most?

"The people who have inspired me most are the people who I've met throughout my years in the community. The people who are always there sharing my posts, liking my videos, replying or commenting. It's amazing how much motivation you can gain when others say that you've helped them be a better person. I look up to a lot of entrepreneurs, trans activists, and spiritual teachers."

When have you felt most confident?

"I feel more confident today then ever before. I think confidence and being vulnerable are kind of related. I spent the last five years of my life being as vulnerable as I possibly could, not just with the people following me, but more importantly with myself. If you can lay all your hurts and scars on the table for all to see, you gain some amazing confidence."

What's the most important thing you hope to accomplish for the transgender community?

"The most important thing for me to is to help bridge the gap between gender and identity, to help bring transgender rights to the more than 700,000 individuals who need them and, closest to my heart, to help troubled kids, teens and adults who struggle with their identity and thoughts of suicide."

What's your ultimate dream job?

"My ultimate dream job is to take my business, Point 5cc, into being a main outlet for trans individuals in need. I hope to do this through many outlets: nondiscriminatory employment, annual surgery funds, and free programs including binder exchanges and breast-form exchanges. I want to run a company that supports the community directly."

What's up next for you?

"I'm letting this all unfold organically, just as I have been since I first started my YouTube channel. As far as my future career plans, that would be to continue growing out my company, Point 5cc."

What does beauty mean to you?

"Beauty to me means finding a piece of something that touches you in a way that only emotion can speak of because there are no words."

Isis King

Why you should know her: She was the first transgender model on America's Next Top Model, appearing in the show's 17th cycle. She's also an actress and will be on The Bold and the Beautiful this summer.

How did you get into modeling?

"I graduated with a degree in fashion from the Art Institute of Philadelphia, but what really got me into modeling was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to pose as an extra in a shoot; that shoot just so happened to be centered around homelessness. I was homeless at the time. But it was after the shoot and on the editing floor that I got my shot at modeling. Tyra Banks noticed me and gave me one of the biggest opportunities of my life. I've gotten this far by continuously redefining my brand and who I am as an industry contender."

What did it mean to you to be the first transgender model on ANTM?

"Being the first trans woman on ANTM was groundbreaking because it allowed me to live my dreams as my most authentic self. Please keep in mind there were no offers for Time and Vanity Fair covers or reality shows or CNN interviews; it was more like people wanting to exploit me because of my perceived difference instead of my talent."

Did you have a certain "I made it" moment?

"My time on ANTM gave me a foot in the door and shone an important light on what it was like to be a transgender woman going through my transition. I think my 'made it' moment comes every time I'm afforded the opportunity to showcase my talents. I will feel like I've officially made it when I can just be known as Isis King—not Isis King the transsexual."

Who has inspired you most?

"My inspiration will continue to come from those like Laverne Cox, Janet Mock, and Caitlyn Jenner, who each and every day continue to trailblaze and break down barriers."

What's your ultimate dream job?

"I guess it would be a role that allows me to captivate the hearts of America, like Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada or Viola Davis in The Help—a role that is not defined by me being the first transgender person on ANTM but that allows me to showcase my talent as an actress."

What's up next for you?

"I just finished shooting an episode arc for CBS's The Bold and the Beautiful. I'm slated to do more guest appearances in the coming months, and I'm currently pursuing a more permanent role on a network television series."

What does beauty mean to you?

"To me beauty is a term that can have several interpretations: It can be how one feels on the inside, or it could be how one chooses to express oneself on the outside. Beauty has been a journey of self-authentication for me. It has meant not being afraid to be myself in a world that has had a hard time understanding my journey."

Ines Rau

Why you should know her: Represented by Marilyn Agency, Rau posed for a major editorial spread in Playboy in 2014. She was also featured in Alexis Bittar Jewelry's spring 2014 campaign, a shoot by Bruce Weber for Barneys New York, and a nude photo shoot in OOB magazine with Tyson Beckford in 2013.

How did you first begin modeling?

"I was born and raised in Paris. I'm half North African, half French. My father was obsessed with photography and music, and my mother was obsessed with fashion, so I naturally loved it very young. My dream as a little boy was to become a princess or a rock star. So being a fashion model is the perfect combination, I guess. I'm very lucky. I first got into modeling when Playboy contacted me to do a special feature about my story before it was public. So I did my coming out that way."

Did you have a certain "I made it" moment in your career?

"I haven't had this moment yet, but I'm very much looking forward to experiencing that."

When have you felt most confident?

"Since my coming out almost two years ago, my life has changed. I'm not scared of anything anymore. I was in a relationship [at the time], and my boyfriend didn't know. I had almost completely forgotten that I'd transitioned. It feels so natural to me. Then I decided to embrace it. I've felt beautiful, sexy, and powerful ever since."

Who has inspired you most?

"Grace Jones has so much personality and strength and a very special look. She was performing, singing, and acting on top of being a supermodel. Such a complete package! I love her."

What's your ultimate dream job?

"My dream job is to be a designer and/or a director. But in terms of what I'd love to book, my dream is to shoot a fragrance campaign for a couture house in Paris."

What's up next for you?

"My plan is to go with the flow for now and see what happens in the fashion industry. I'd love to get a book deal and maybe a documentary series. I'm also getting involved in couple of charity associations."

What does beauty mean to you?

"I have learned that being kind, humble, and compassionate of others is true beauty."