Before being the first trans woman to compete on America’s Next Top Model (Cycles 11 and 17), Isis King graduated from the Art School of Philadelphia, where she was on a full scholarship for design and illustration, and spent the following year living at the Ali Forney Center for homeless LGBTQ youth in New York City. After her stint on America’s Next Top Model, she became one of the most visible members of the transgender community. She has helped change public perception of trans men and women, and her participation in ANTM has been called an "unprecedented opportunity for a community that is underrepresented on television,” by GLAAD president Neil Guiliano.
Since appearing on ANTM, Isis has been featured in US Weekly, OUT, and Seventeen, and even became American Apparel’s first openly transgender model. She has gone on to design her own fashion line, and cites her main influences as Donatella Versace and Betsey Johnson, for whom she walked the runway last fall. The 30-year-old trailblazer is now focusing on her acting career, with off-Broadway plays and a recent role on The Bold and the Beautiful under her belt. She says her dream role would be “anything that has to do with superheroes,” and we say that’s a perfect fit considering she’s already a living and breathing superhero for so many. Teen Vogue chatted with Isis to talk HG beauty products, what it was like to be homeless and trans, and what we, and others, can do to support the transgender community.
__Teen Vogue: Okay, first of all, your skin is amazing. Since you’re always going to castings, can you tell me your top 5 beauty products that keep you looking fresh?__
Isis King: So, I’m a MAC girl, of course. I’ve actually worked with the brand, but even before that, most of my products were from them. So, for castings and everyday, MAC Face and Body Foundation, MAC Pro Longwear Concealer, a little bit of mascara, Maybelline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentl — because I love a good glow. I used to hide behind a cat eye, but I learned to embrace my natural eye shape. When I was younger I used to get teased for having such big eyes, but now I love them and want them to look natural.
__TV: What’s it like being a trans model in the industry right now?__
IK: It’s getting better. You have trans models landing hair and makeup campaigns. I always say I’m the Kate Moss of the trans models because I’m shorter than everyone else, and I’ve been around now for a long time. Usually, being a novelty, I feel like I can get through more, especially when they see my walk; it's my strong point. So, if I don’t book a casting it’s not because I’m trans, it’s because I’m short. Tyra [Banks] was ahead of the curve when I was on the show in 2009. She opened up doors [for trans models]. So many people opened doors for me, and then I opened doors for the next generation.
Back then, nobody [in the transgender community] was really speaking out. I’m just happy that there are so many more [trans] voices now. It’s not to say, 'oh, we have it easy.' It’s more about saying, 'I have a struggle too, and I got through it, and you can get through it also.' And if you don’t have the support of your family, come out and let’s find that support for you. I’ve learned that family isn’t necessarily blood. It’s just the people who love and support you. Having that kind of support system and structure is vital in the education and well-being of someone who is trans. That’s why I got involved with the Ali Forney Center for homeless LGBTQ again. I’m the only person on the board who has gone through the program.
__TV: The Ali Forney Center isn’t just a homeless shelter, it’s a whole program for homeless LGTBQ teens, right?__
IK: I ended up living in the Ali Forney center because after I moved to New York to transition, I wasn't making enough money to stay in New York. I would have gone home, to Maryland, but my family didn't want me to transition; so I moved into a shelter. It was one of the best decisions I made. I never would have been on ANTM if I never went to Ali Forney, they put me in touch with the Reciprocity Foundation, who put me in the background for the show.
As for the program, it taught me a lot about structure. You're given timelines, goals, and chores. I was working three jobs at one point, and was saving $1,000 a month. I have to make the most of every opportunity, because it can change my life if I allow it to.
With Ali Forney, I was given the opportunity to live in THP, the Transitional Housing Program. It’s the grown-up version of the program, and more is asked of you. So that really made it easier for me to learn how to save money. The rent you pay is money going into a savings account for when you leave. So I learned how to have structure, and I learned how to be respectful around other people who went through similar things. That’s what made me want to come back and help.
TV: Do black trans women have a different experience from white trans women?
IK: As much as I say I don’t see color, when you look at the statistics, it’s sad. You see so many white trans people whose families are supporting them, and the black community can really learn from them. You can see that the success rate increases just from having that support in your life. Having that support can change the suicide rate, and it can change the number of black trans women who are murdered because they are not forced to live and work on the street.
At the end of the day, trans women of color have the highest suicide rate, have the highest homeless rate, and have the highest murder rate. Why is that? It’s because it’s harder for black trans women, number one, to get jobs. The likelihood of your family disowning you because of who you are when you’re black and trans is higher. Because of that, you have a higher percentage of black trans women who are (forced)[http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2014/01/28/op-ed-embracing-transgender-women] into sex work, because nobody else will hire them. It forces you to live on the streets and live by different means than other people.
So then, the rate of those women who are incarcerated gets higher, and once you’re incarcerated, it’s even harder to find a job. So, it’s like this vicious cycle of losing battle after battle. It’s really hard for all of the black trans women who just want an opportunity, but nobody is giving it to them.
__TV: White trans women have more opportunities?__
IK: Well, I see someone like Jazz Jennings, who I did a film with in 2010, and her mother was on set with her, you know? I was like, 'Wow this little girl has her mom here. That’s amazing.' Luckily, I have the support of my mom now, but I’m just thinking about being a young [black] trans kid. I can’t imagine my parents being there. My parents did not support my transition, which is why I ended up in a shelter. If you get that support from your family, the chances of you being homeless are obviously way lower. Your chances of being forced into sex work are lower.
__TV: What do you think is the best way for people to support the trans community?__
IK: Get involved with organizations like Ali Forney. They are amazing people. They cared about trans youth when no one else did. The more you support them, the more housing they can provide for trans teens who have nowhere to go, and they can be given the tools they need to live as responsible adults. They have their biggest charity event coming up, [A Place at the Table] (http://www.aliforneycenter.org/events/apat1/). The more support there is, the more housing there will be. I have faith that the program is going to continue to grow. The more young trans people we get off the streets and give proper education and housing to, the more leaders and creative spirits we’re going to have. I think it’s really important to get involved in that way, and we also need more job placement, somehow, some way for trans women, especially of color.
Sometimes just being present is enough. There’s a lot of isolation that happens. Being aware and friendly and smiling is enough for any person who is going through any trans-related issues, or who is going through transition. Speak up and stand up for them. Educate yourself about it — using proper pronouns is really important.
It’s not a new topic. Trans people have always been around, we’re just regular people. The more the world is aware of that, the easier everyone’s lives will be. The more the world is aware of that, it will be less likely for a family to kick their child out for being trans, and it will be more likely for a trans person to get a job. We’re creative, we’re funny, we’re smart, and we’re leaders. It just takes that one person who believes in you and decides to give you that opportunity.
Related: Watch a Supportive Mom Surprise Her Transgender Teen with Hormone Therapy
Check out Teen Vogue’s October issue cover star, Elle Fanning.
