<ul class="summary-list"><li>On Friday, <keyword id="12671061" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="valentina-sampaio" source="Orion">Valentina Sampaio</keyword> appeared on the eighth episode of the "VS Voices" podcast. </li><li>Sampaio opened up about the "ignorance" she faced when her modeling career began. </li></ul><p>Valentina Sampaio revealed she was "fired and humiliated" during a job because the brand found out she was transgender, calling the incident "traumatizing." </p><p>The latest episode of Victoria's Secret's podcast <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4BVvJO1e9ZSao78Gn9Aexe">"VS Voices"</a> published on Friday featured Sampaio, a Brazilian model who became the <a href="https://www.insider.com/valentina-sampaio-sports-illustrated-first-transgender-model-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first transgender woman to appear in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue in 2020</a> as she spoke to host Amanda de Cadenet about her initial struggles in the <keyword id="11893303" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fashion" source="Orion">fashion</keyword> industry. </p><p>Sampaio, 24, who also became the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/victorias-secret-hires-first-transgender-model-valentina-sampaio-2019-8#but-it-wasnt-until-the-spring-of-2017-that-she-made-a-name-for-herself-globally-after-becoming-the-first-transgender-model-to-appear-on-the-cover-of-french-vogue-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first transgender cover star for Vogue France in 2017</a>, said she faced "ignorance" and said it was "very challenging" to get work as a model. </p><p>"Even when people wanted to work with me, they would be prejudiced or scared of hiring a trans woman," Sampaio said on the podcast. "I faced much ignorance and fear." </p><p>Sampaio said she was once fired from a gig after an unnamed brand learned she was transgender. </p><p>"Being fired and humiliated on set that day was traumatizing, but it was also what led the fire within me to overcome my personal heartache," she said. </p><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px); data.width~540;"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.4537037037% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style="margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQdGJVUglI5" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank"></a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Vogue France (@voguefrance)<time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime=""></time></p></div></blockquote><p>Sampaio added that the incident allowed her to see "beyond" herself.</p><p>"It allowed me to understand that I need to shed light and create not just for myself, but for the humanization and benefit of all trans people whenever possible," Sampaio said. </p><p>She added: "Shortly after that experience, I was cast in a film that was shot in Rio. That creative opportunity gave me the courage to open myself up to modeling and move to San Paolo. Within a few months of that movie, I was asked to model for the cover of French Vogue, and my career took off."</p><p>Insider reached out to a representative of Valentina Sampaio for comment. </p><p>Sampaio burst onto the scene with her Vogue France cover before becoming the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/victorias-secret-hires-first-transgender-model-valentina-sampaio-2019-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first openly transgender model to work with Victoria's Secret in 2019 </a>and later securing her spot in <keyword id="12127526" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="sports-illustrated" source="Orion">Sports Illustrated</keyword>. </p><div type="image" title="Valentina Sampaio" height="674" width="899" msid="88095824" hostid="261"></div><p>She also appeared on the covers of both <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/victorias-secret-hires-first-transgender-model-valentina-sampaio-2019-8#later-that-year-she-was-featured-on-both-the-covers-vogue-brazil-and-vogue-germany-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vogue Brazil and Vogue Germany in 2017, following her debut in Vogue France.</a></p><p>More recently, Sampaio became one of the inaugural members of the <a href="https://www.insider.com/meet-the-women-replacing-victorias-secret-angels-2021-6#victorias-secret-announced-on-wednesday-that-its-no-longer-going-to-have-a-cast-of-angels-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VS Collective</a> with Victoria's Secret, which replaced the brand's well-known cast of Angels. </p><p>"Victoria's Secret is committed to <a href="https://www.victoriassecret.com/us/thevscollective" target="_blank" rel="noopener">opening these doors for t</a>r<a href="https://www.victoriassecret.com/us/thevscollective" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ans women like me</a> by celebrating, uplifting, and advocating for ALL women," Sampaio <a href="https://www.victoriassecret.com/us/thevscollective" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> on the company's website describing her commitment to diversity and inclusion.</p>

Model Valentina Sampaio says she was once 'fired' and 'humiliated' during a job for being transgender

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Valentina Sampaio has become <keyword id="80195" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Sports-Illustrated">Sports Illustrated</keyword>'s first <keyword id="6358953" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Transgender">transgender</keyword> <keyword id="6355606" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="model">model</keyword>.</li><li>The 23-year-old is featured in the publication's annual swimsuit issue, which will become available at newsstands and online starting July 21.</li><li>On Instagram, Sampaio shared some background about her life as a transgender woman in Brazil, and said she feels "excited and honored" to be featured in the magazine.</li><li>In a video posted on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Instagram page, Sampaio also said she hopes that one day being transgender is "not important" and "not new."</li></ul><p><a href="http://insider.com/category/sports-illustrated">Sports Illustrated</a> has hired its first transgender model.</p><p>On Friday, the magazine announced that 23-year-old Valentina Sampaio is featured in its annual swimsuit issue, which will be released on July 21. The publication made the announcement <a href="https://www.instagram.com/si_swimsuit/">on Instagram</a>, where it shared a photo of Sampaio taken by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/josie_clough/">Josie Clough</a>, and a statement from the model in its caption. Sampaio also shared the same message on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/valentts/">her Instagram page</a>.</p><p>"I am excited and honored to be part of the iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue," Sampaio wrote. "The team at SI has created yet another groundbreaking issue by bringing together a diverse set of multi-talented, beautiful women in a creative and dignified way."</p><p><div type="image" title="sports illustrated valentina sampaio" height="1334" width="1778" msid="76902195" hostid="261"></div></p><h2>23-year-old model Valentina Sampaio was born in Brazil, where being transgender is not widely accepted</h2><p>The model shared some of her background at the end of her Instagram post.</p><p>"I was born trans in a remote, humble fishing village in northern Brazil," the model wrote. "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 US." </p><p>According to the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy nonprofit, <a href="https://www.hrc.org/resources/a-national-epidemic-fatal-anti-trans-violence-in-the-united-states-in-2019">at least 26 transgender people were killed in the US in 2019</a>. In Brazil, <a href="https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2020/01/30/at-least-124-trans-people-killed-in-brazil-in-2019-report">at least 124 transgender people were killed that same year,</a> according to Brazilian newspaper Brasil de Fato.</p><p>"Being trans usually means facing closed doors to peoples' hearts and minds," she continued. "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."</p><h2>In a video for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Instagram page, the model said she knows she is 'one of the fortunate ones'</h2><p>In <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCdn2FYHKdP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">a video for Sports Illustrated</a>, Sampaio said transgender people "don't have the same opportunities" that cisgender people do in Brazil. "The door is closed for you, just because you are trans," she said.</p><p>Though she said in the video that she "had to learn to fight" for herself, she added that she is "one of the fortunate ones."</p><p>"I recognize that I am one of the fortunate ones, and my intention is to warrant that as best I can," she said. "I am excited and honored to be part of the iconic Swimsuit Issue. They see the person and the woman who I am."</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:800; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px); data.width~800;"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.4537037037% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style="margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCdn2FYHKdP" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">“I feel strong, and I feel inspired to fight, not just for me but for everyone that I represent.” -Valentina Sampaio Our Instagram channel is a platform for inspiration, inclusivity and support. SI Swimsuit will not tolerate any hateful or offensive comments. Those who violate these terms will be deleted, blocked &amp; reported.</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by  Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@si_swimsuit) on Jul 10, 2020 at 6:21am PDT<time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2020-07-10T13:21:01+00:00">Jul 10, 2020 at 6:21am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote><p>She continued to say that she hopes being transgender is one day "not important" and "not new."</p><p>"I feel strong, and I feel inspired to fight, not just for me but for everyone that I represent," Sampaio told Sports Illustrated.</p><p>Sports Illustrated included a disclaimer underneath all photos of Sampaio on its swimsuit-themed Instagram page.</p><p>"Our Instagram channel is a platform for inspiration, inclusivity and support," Sports Illustrated wrote <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCdwwn4HmB4/?utm_source=ig_embed">under the photos</a>. "SI Swimsuit will not tolerate any hateful or offensive comments. Those who violate these terms will be deleted, blocked &amp; reported."</p><h2>Sports Illustrated has made history with many of its past swimsuit issues</h2><p>In 2016, for example, <a href="https://people.com/sports/who-is-ashley-graham/">Ashley Graham became the first size-16 model to star on the magazine's cover.</a> Three years later, <a href="https://www.insider.com/halima-aden-sports-illustrated-swimsuit-cover-burkini-responses-2019-4">Halima Arden became the first model to wear a burkini and hijab in the publication</a>. Tyra Banks — who was <a href="https://www.insider.com/tyra-banks-sports-illustrated-swimsuit-2019-cover-model-2019-5">the first Black cover model for the swimsuit issue in 1996</a> — also came out of retirement and wore a yellow bikini on the cover of the swimsuit issue that same year. </p><p>In a statement sent to Insider, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit editor-in-chief <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mj_day/?hl=en">MJ Day</a> said it only made sense that Sampaio would be featured in the magazine.</p><p>"Our goal in selecting who we feature in the SI Swimsuit Issue is centered around identifying some of the most inspiring, interesting, and multi-dimensional women that we can find," Day said. "Valentina has been on our radar for some time now and when we finally met face to face, it became apparent that besides her obvious beauty, she is an impassioned activist, a true pioneer for the LGBT+ community, and just simply embodies the well-rounded woman we are proud to have represent SI Swimsuit across our platforms."</p><p>She added: "We are deeply moved that Valentina was willing to put her trust in us and we didn't think twice about wanting to amplify her voice, her message, and give her a platform to advocate from on behalf of her personal aspirations and the trans community. That is what we can do as a brand, especially during these uncertain times — support her and celebrate her."</p><p>Representatives for Valentina Sampaio did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/down-syndrome-model-ellie-goldstein-stars-in-gucci-campaign-2020-7">Gucci Beauty's newest campaign stars Ellie Goldstein, an 18-year-old model with Down syndrome</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/ashley-graham-breaks-front-tooth-2020-6">Ashley Graham broke her front tooth after eating a frozen cookie, and laughed it off by sharing a video of her new look on Instagram</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/the-most-iconic-supermodel-the-year-you-were-born">From Twiggy to Tyra Banks, here is the most iconic supermodel the year you were born</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/plus-size-model-chanel-fashion-show-2020-3">For the first time in 10 years, a curvy model walked in a Chanel fashion show, sparking confusion about what's considered 'plus size'</a></li></ul>

Valentina Sampaio has become Sports Illustrated's first transgender model after appearing in its annual swimsuit issue

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Bella Hadid is starring in a new Victoria's Secret campaign, provoking a mixed response online.</li><li>Some social media users expressed excitement, others said it went against the brand's inclusivity drive.</li></ul><p>Bella Hadid is starring in a new Victoria's Secret campaign, the model revealed in an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CuVjl1etpGc/?hl=en">Instagram post</a> on Wednesday evening, provoking a mixed response online.</p><p>While many comments on Hadid's post expressed excitement about the campaign, some slammed the brand for "perpetuating body dysmorphia to young women." One comment referenced heroin chic – a controversial 1990s fashion trend that was characterized by extremely thin models – and some referred to the fact that Hadid's ribs were visible.</p><p>But some people hit back at these comments. "Skinny people exist and are allowed to be represented," one person wrote, while others referred to her <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/bella-hadid-lyme-disease-tooth-jaw-infection-b2314866.html">diagnosis with Lyme disease</a>. The brand hasn't posted anything about the campaign on its own Instagram account so far, and did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment about the remarks, made outside of regular working hours.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CuVjl1etpGc/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CuVjl1etpGc/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CuVjl1etpGc/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Bella  (@bellahadid)</a></p></div></blockquote> <p>Victoria's Secret has majorly overhauled its brand in recent years following criticism of its "<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/shareholder-urges-victorias-secret-to-update-tone-deaf-image-2019-3">tone-deaf" image</a>, including a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/victorias-secret-perfect-body-campaign-2014-10">controversial 2014 ad campaign</a> that featured the slogan "the perfect body."</p><p>In 2021, the retailer said it would <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/victorias-secret-angels-rise-history-iconic-models-photos-2021-6">stop promoting the brand using Angels</a> – an elite group of models, including Gisele Bündchen and Tyra Banks, that were chosen to be the face of the brand. It has since emphasized body positivity and diversity in its ad campaigns and introduced its so-called "<a href="https://www.insider.com/meet-the-women-replacing-victorias-secret-angels-2021-6">VS Collective</a>," a group of women representing the brand including soccer player and LGBTQ+ advocate Megan Rapinoe and transgender model Valentina Sampaio. <a href="https://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/bella-hadid-VS-collective-2021/">Bella Hadid</a> later joined the group.</p><p>"Our focus as leaders and as a company is on ensuring we continue to be future-facing and become more and more culturally relevant in this shifting consumer environment," CEO Martin Waters told investors at the company's earnings call last month.</p><p>But the rebrand hasn't paid off in terms of sales just yet. Net sales <a href="https://victoriassecret.gcs-web.com/static-files/0799a9a1-e47c-41c6-bf77-c825a38531be">increased by 25%</a> in 2021 compared to 2020, when many of its stores were closed during the pandemic, but fell <a href="https://victoriassecret.gcs-web.com/static-files/2c89fcef-88ba-4ce2-adbd-cb40a36a10f2">by 6%</a> in 2022.</p><p>"Changing a brand with a deeply embedded position is a journey of a thousand steps, and Victoria's Secret is still at the start of its trek," Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail, said in a recent note to clients. "That said, we believe that the new team is committed to making the changes and has already taken actions that will pay dividends down the road," he added. </p><p>Some shoppers have criticized the new brand positioning. "You don't have to remove the glamour to be inclusive," one Twitter user <a href="https://twitter.com/FlLLEFATALE/status/1542316582193463296">wrote</a>.</p><p>Waters <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/victorias-secret-says-men-complained-when-it-cut-racy-ads-2022-3">told investors at a March 2022</a> earnings call that the backlash to its brand repositioning was "principally from men and people who don't subscribe to the values that we subscribe to."</p><p>He noted that despite the branding changes: "We still sell provocative merchandise. We still embrace very sexy ... But we can do other things as well."</p>

Bella Hadid's Victoria's Secret campaign sparks debate online as some users slam the brand for 'perpetuating body dysmorphia' while others say that 'skinny people exist too'

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="20864" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="vogue">Vogue</keyword>'s September issue featured eight <keyword id="6404377" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="models">models</keyword> that represented the theme "Generation America."</li><li>One of the models chosen was Ariel Nicholson, the first openly transgender star on the cover.</li><li>"I've been put in this box - trans model," she said. "Which is what I am, but that's not all I am."</li></ul><p>Ariel Nicholson is the first transgender model on the cover of <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/vogue">US Vogue</a>. </p><p>The 20-year-old model <a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/september-issue-2021-cover-new-beginnings">shared the cover</a> alongside Anok Yai, Bella Hadid, Lourdes "Lola" Leon, Sherry Shi, Yumi Nu, and Kaia Gerber as part of the September issue's "Generation America" theme, which was photographed by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ethanjamesgreen/?hl=en">Ethan James Green</a>.</p><div type="image" title="Ariel Nicholson is the first trans model on the cover of Vogue." height="1875" width="3000" msid="85109643" hostid="261"></div><p>Nicholson was pictured wearing a bright-green sweater and polka-dot skirt by American designer Christopher John Rogers. </p><p>"Obviously it's a big deal being the first trans woman on the cover of Vogue<em>,</em>" she said. "But it's also hard to say exactly what kind of big deal it is when the effects are so intangible."</p><p>Nicholson added that even though it's great to be the first trans woman on the cover, she doesn't like being labeled. </p><p>"I've been put in this box - trans model. Which is what I am, but that's not all I am," she said. </p><p>In the inside image, which was shot at Vogue's offices, Nicholson looks stunning while striking a pose in a sequined Rick Owens gown. </p><div type="image" title="Ariel Nicholson posed inside the Vogue offices in a Rick Owens gown." height="1813" width="3000" msid="85109647" hostid="261"></div><p>Nicholson is following in the footsteps of <a href="https://www.insider.com/transgender-models-changing-industry#valentina-sampaio-is-victorias-secrets-first-transgender-model-and-the-first-transgender-model-to-appear-in-sports-illustrateds-swimsuit-issue-1">Valentina Sampaio</a>, who posed for the cover of <a href="https://www.vogue.fr/fashion/fashion-news/diaporama/valentina-sampaio-transgendered-model-front-cover-vogue-paris-march-2017-trans-transgender/40811">Vogue Paris</a> in 2017, and <a href="https://insider.com/category/laverne-cox">Laverne Cox</a>, who was the first trans woman to appear on the cover of <a href="https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/laverne-cox-first-trans-person-vogue-september-2019-issue">British Vogue</a>. </p><p>Since she started modeling in high school, Nicholson has posed on the cover of Italian Vogue and walked the runways of designers like Miu Miu, Marc Jacobs, and Calvin Klein. Then-creative director of Calvin Klein, Raf Simons, handpicked Nicholson to be a part of the show, making her the first trans woman to walk for the American brand.</p><div type="image" title="Ariel Nicholson was the first trans model to walk Calvin Klein's red carpet." height="3000" width="1997" msid="85109652" hostid="261"></div><p>Representatives for Ariel Nicholson did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. </p>

Ariel Nicholson makes history as the first transgender model on the cover of Vogue

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5d481536100a24060e566d78-901/gettyimages-1025663026.jpg" border="0" alt="Valentina Sampaio" data-mce-source="Getty/ Gotham / Contributor"><p class="source"><span>Getty/ Gotham / Contributor</span></p><p class="caption">Valentina Sampaio attends casting for the 2018 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Midtown on August 31, 2018 in New York.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/victorias-secret">Victoria's Secret</a> <span></span>has reportedly hired its first openly transgender model.</li><li>Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio recently shared an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0oDsqnC2am/">Instagram photo of herself</a> tagging the Victoria's Secret Pink lingerie line alongside the hashtags "campaign," "vspink," and "diversity."</li><li>If true, this would mark an important shift in direction at Victoria's Secret, which has long been accused of lacking inclusivity and diversity in its ad campaigns.</li><li>This came to a head last year, after the <strong>chief marketing officer of its parent company, L Brands, <span></span><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/victorias-secret-addresses-plus-size-problem-interview-2018-11">made controversial comments</a> <span></span>about featuring transgender and plus-size models in its annual runway show.</strong></li><li><strong>Here's everything we know about Sampaio.</strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.</a></strong></li></ul><p>Victoria's Secret has reportedly hired its first openly transgender model, and it could signal that the brand is finally listening to some of its most critical customers.</p><p>Earlier this week, Brazilian transgender model <a href="https://www.instagram.com/valentts/?hl=en">Valentina Sampaio, shared a photograph of herself on Instagram</a> and tagged the Victoria's Secret Pink brand along with the hashtags: "campaign," "vspink," and "diversity."A day later, she shared a video of herself with the caption: "Never stop dreaming."</p><p>Victoria's Secret has not yet confirmed publically whether it has hired Sampaio and a spokesperson for L Brands did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment. But if true, this would mark a significant shift in its strategy.</p><p><em><strong>Read more</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/victorias-secret-why-ed-razek-didnt-resign-execs-say-2019-3">People slammed Victoria's Secret after its marketing chief made controversial comments about transgender models, but he didn't resign. This could be why, according to former executives.</a></em></p><p>The brand has long been accused of lacking inclusivity and diversity in its ad campaigns. This came to a head last year after the chief marketing officer of its parent company, L Brands, said that he didn't think its annual fashion show should feature "transsexuals" because the show is a "fantasy."</p><p>Now, the company is reportedly "rethinking" and possibly even <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/victorias-secret-model-says-fashion-show-cancelled-report-2019-7?r=US&amp;IR=T">canceling</a> its fashion show.</p><p>Here's everything we know about 22-year-old Sampaio:</p><p><em>If you're a current or former employee of Victoria's Secret and have a story to share, contact this reporter at </em><em>mhanbury@businessinsider.com or on </em><em><a href="https://signal.org/"><em>Signal</em></a> <em>at +1 (646) 768-4716 using a non-work phone.</em></em></p>

Victoria's Secret has reportedly hired its first openly transgender model. Here's everything we know about her.

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5be9f01c0d7c6745bb2f142b-1777/gettyimages-1059414708.jpg" border="0" alt="victoria's secret ed razek" data-mce-source="Getty Images/Dia Dipasupil" data-mce-caption="Ed Razek speaks to the 2018 Victoria's Secret runway models backstage during the 2018 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at Pier 94 on November 8, 2018 in New York City." /><p class="source"><span>Getty Images/Dia Dipasupil</span></p><p class="caption">Ed Razek speaks to the 2018 Victoria's Secret runway models backstage.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Ed Razek, the controversial CMO of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/victorias-secret">Victoria's Secret</a> parent company L Brands, is stepping down, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.</li><li>The news comes less than a year after Razek faced backlash for saying Victoria's Secret's annual fashion show should not feature "transsexuals" because "the show is a fantasy."  </li><li>On Monday morning, Valentina Sampaio appeared to announce via Instagram that she had been hired as the brand's first openly transgender model.</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.</a></strong></li></ul><p>Ed Razek, the CMO of Victoria's Secret parent company L Brands, is stepping down, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/victorias-secret-parents-longtime-marketing-chief-to-resign-11565038660">according to</a> The Wall Street Journal. </p><p>L Brands chairman and CEO Leslie Wexner said in an internal memo Monday that "Razek had told him a few weeks ago about his desire to retire from his role this month," the Journal's Khadeeja Safdar reports. </p><p>Representatives for L Brands did not immediately return Business Insider's request for comment. </p><p>The news comes less than a year after a Vogue interview with Razek sparked massive backlash. In the interview, Razek said that he didn't think the lingerie brand's annual fashion show should feature "transsexuals" because "the show is a fantasy." </p><p>Many people called for Razek's resignation. The executive apologized two days later, but did not signal plans to leave the company at the time. </p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/victorias-secret-why-ed-razek-didnt-resign-execs-say-2019-3">People slammed Victoria's Secret after its marketing chief made controversial comments about transgender models, but he didn't resign. This could be why, according to former executives.</a></em></p><p>Razek has been responsible for organizing Victoria's Secret's annual fashion show since 1995 and became chief marketing officer of L Brands in the late 1990s. Victoria's Secret employees told Business Insider's Mary Hanbury earlier this year that Razek didn't resign in large part because of his close relationship with Wexner. </p><p>"Ed ... is just very untouchable in Les' eyes," a former executive who worked at Victoria's Secret's New York office for nine years and was laid off in mid-2017 told Business Insider.</p><p>"He considers Ed to be like a brainchild of the brand with him," they continued. "He is the golden child and does whatever he wants."</p><p>Recently, Wexner has been in the spotlight for his ties with <span>convicted sex offender </span><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/jeffrey-epstein" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jeffrey Epstein</a><span>. </span>Former L Brands executives told The Wall Street Journal that Epstein attempted to<span> </span><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/epstein-flourished-as-he-forged-bond-with-retail-billionaire-11562975711?mod=article_inline">meddle in L Brands' business</a>, buying a plane from the company for $10 million and trying to offer input on which women should be Victoria's Secret models.</p><p>In late July, Victoria's Secret model <span>Shanina Shaik told The Daily Telegraph that the annual show - long Razek's responsibility - would be cancelled this year. Earlier this year, Wexner said to employees in an internal memo that the company didn't think "network television is the right fit" for the show.</span></p><p>On Monday morning, Valentina Sampaio <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/victorias-secret-reportedly-hires-first-transgender-model-2019-8">seemingly announced via Instagram</a> that she had been hired as the company's first openly transgender model.</p><p><em>Got tips? Email retail@businessinsider.com.</em></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subway-fast-food-chain-locations-franchise-rise-fall-2019-8">Subway's 42,000 locations are the most of any fast-food chain on the planet, but franchise owners are taking a hit</a></h3>        <div>            <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/1J7p38Ru-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script>        </div>    </div>

Top-ranking Victoria's Secret exec is reportedly stepping down less than a year after he sparked backlash with comments about transgender and plus-size models

You Searched For "valentina sampaio" and got 6 results

Model Valentina Sampaio says she was once 'fired' and 'humiliated' during a job for being transgender

Lauren Edmonds

Valentina Sampaio has become Sports Illustrated's first transgender model after appearing in its annual swimsuit issue

Amanda Krause

Bella Hadid's Victoria's Secret campaign sparks debate online as some users slam the brand for 'perpetuating body dysmorphia' while others say that 'skinny people exist too'

Grace Dean

Ariel Nicholson makes history as the first transgender model on the cover of Vogue

Celia Fernandez

Victoria's Secret has reportedly hired its first openly transgender model. Here's everything we know about her.

Mary Hanbury

Top-ranking Victoria's Secret exec is reportedly stepping down less than a year after he sparked backlash with comments about transgender and plus-size models

Kate Taylor