Isis King on breaking trans barriers on ‘Top Model’: “It should not have been as controversial as it was”

I first appeared on ANTM [America’s Next Top Model] just about 18 years ago and I am still so fascinated by the effect it has had on pop culture. 

I’m forever grateful for the impact my presence as an open trans woman had on the contestants and the audience. It pulled the curtain back on a topic that should not have been as ‘controversial’ as it was.

Was ANTM perfect? No. Would I have had the same success story without bearing my heart for the world to see, hoping the opportunity redirected me from poverty, and allowed me to travel the world following my dreams as an actress, model, and artist? Probably not.

Isis King in a statement to Entertainment Weekly about the impact of being the first

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