Valentina Sampaio Makes History as Sports Illustrated’s First Transgender Model!
Valentina Sampaio is making history! the 23-year-old supermodel has become Sports Illustrated’s first transgender model to appear in the iconic special edition magazine!
Earlier this Friday, Sampaio confirmed she was named a 2020 Rookie for the publication’s upcoming swimsuit issue, which will be out July 21. She shared an emotional post on Instagram that read: “I am excited and honored to be part of the iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.”
RELATED: Rihanna Makes History By Wearing A Durag On British Vogue Magazine Cover
The Brazilian native also said, “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. I was born trans in a remote, humble fishing village in northern Brazil. Brazil is a beautiful country, but it also hosts the highest number of violent crimes and murders against the trans community in the world — three times that of the U.S.,” she continued.
Sampaio concluded: “Being trans usually means facing closed doors to peoples’ hearts and minds. We face snickers, insults, fearful reactions and physical violations just for existing. Our options for growing up in a loving and accepting family, having a fruitful experience at school or finding dignified work are unimaginably limited and challenging.”
In a penned essay on SI Swimsuit’s website, she also thanked the magazine “for seeing and respecting me as I truly am,” and “for understanding that more than anything, I am human.”
In the 56 years since its inception, the special edition has featured stars including Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, and Ashley Graham, and each year it ushers in a new set of rookies from around the globe.
Congrats!