"It was really a smooth transition for me," Isis says of her sexual identity transition, which she says she began in January of last year. Born Darrell Walls in the suburbs of Washington D.C., the 22-year-old Isis says she was born biologically male, but always felt like a girl in a boy's body.
The road has been difficult, however, in terms of the public's perception of transgender individuals: "Most people aren't really supportive in a sense that they don't believe in it," she tells The Insider. "Of course I wouldn't expect them to, considering you don't have any positive images of women who are different, or born in the wrong body, on TV. For most, it wasn't until 'Top Model' premiered with me on it that I actually heard them say, 'Isis.'"
Isis' big break came when Tyra saw her in the background for an "ANTM" shoot incorporating homeless women. The host took an immediate shine to her and asked her to participate in the new season of the show.
"I'm coming here as a contestant, just like everyone else," says Isis. "If I'm different, let me be different because I'm an artist and designer. Because physically I was born different, I think [the show has] made it comfortable in trying to keep away from me being different in that sense."
"America's Next Top Model" airs Wednesday nights on The CW.
Watch "The Insider" for more with Isis!
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Comments (3)
of isis, she is unstopable.
hope she does more modeling. isis is the reason why cycle 11 is watchable.