For the first time in its 56-year-history, this year’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit magazine will feature a transgender model.
Brazilian-born model Valentina Sampaio, who became the first transgender model to work with Victoria’s Secret, will grace the pages of the newest swimsuit edition scheduled for release on July 21.
“The team at SI has created yet another groundbreaking issue by bringing together a diverse set of multitalented, beautiful women in a creative and dignified way,” Sampaio told Vogue, which featured her on the cover of its magazine in 2017. “I am excited and honored to be part [of this].”
Sampaio is optimistic about having a role in changing the stereotypes surrounding transgender people, who are physically assaulted at alarming levels in her home country of Brazil.
“Brazil is a beautiful country, but it also hosts the highest number of violent crimes and murders against the trans community globally — 3 times that of the U.S.,” Sampaio said. “Being trans usually means facing closed doors to peoples’ hearts and minds.”
