==========Pictures:
- Isis in one of her "...Top Model" photos
- Me and Isis at the "No Shade" party back in August
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I ain't Barbara Walters or nothing, but so far I've interviewed and met with my share of interesting folks of varying degrees of celebrity on and off the blog (click here to check out all of my interviews on the blog). Not too often though can I call one of those interesting folks a friend. About a month and a half ago I had the pleasure of doing an interview with my homegirl Isis King (aka Isis Tsunami) of cycle 11 of supermodel Tyra Banks' "America's Next Top Model" and in celebration of her appearance on the "The Tyra Banks Show" this past Tuesday I'm finally releasing the interview.
We all know Isis as the first transgendered person to be a finalist on "America's Next Top Model" and while that's all well and good, but I know Isis beyond all that. Isis has to be one of the sweetest, most down to Earth people I've ever met. One of my fondest memories of her in the midst of this process is the night that this season of "...Top Model" premiered on TV. I asked her whether she was gonna throw or attend a premiere party for the show and she said that she'd rather watch alone at home. As we texted each other back and forth while watching the show I would go off on the girls who gave her a hard time, calling them all kinds of 'bitches', 'heifers' and 'hoes' and Isis would say "No, don't say that. They're just ignorant. They don't know any better." Even when we were at dinner one night after she'd been off from the show and I was raking that bitch Clark over the coals Isis scolded me again, asking that I be nice, even to her arch nemesis on the show, and even facing her yet again on Tyra's show the other day Isis exemplified grace and restraint. I personally woulda strung the bitch up myself, but that's not the way Isis is. She has the gift of being able to transcend all negativity in an almost celestial way, she just doesn't let it effect her, she lives above it. As small as she is in stature, in spirit she's a tower of strength, determination, perseverance and discipline. She doesn't smoke or drink anything stronger than the occasional amaretto sour and she doesn't even cuss. Like, what the fuck? Shit, I could learn a few things from Isis.
Adam: How does it feel knowing that you've made history, being the first transgendered person on "America's Next Top Model"?Isis: I looked at the experience like I wanna be equal just like everyone else so I didn't take that into consideration going into the show. I just wanted to win the competition and be a top model, not to necessarily be the first transgender or somebody to make history. of course making history is always considered to be a good thing and I'm happy to have done that but I'd really prefer to be remembered for other things such as my creativity, my art, different things like that, not for the way I was born.
A lot of people didn't realize that you, unlike most of the other girls, didn't try out, but was handpicked by Tyra Banks herself. And even when you were eliminated Tyra gave you a lot of good advice, more than she's given other people in that situation, basically telling you to go on, knowing that you are gonna do well and continue to model as opposed to some of the other girls where it's kinda like, this is the end of the line for you. So between the time you left the show and now, how was it to keep the secret about your time there? Is there like a three million dollar gag order or something? How did they keep you quiet?
It was nerve wracking. I really didn't wanna hold that secret from my close relatives and friends. I just wanted everybody to know so that they cold be happy for me. It's like, I'm about to take my career to the next level soon, but I can't tell anybody.
So while you were there, nobody knew where you were at. Did you just like, go away for a couple of months or...?
Only my godfather and my mother were the only ones that officially knew. I kinda just told everybody that I was going away, out of the country for a fashion design internship.
So you couldn't really tell people that you were doing ANTM?
No.
Seeing the show on television and for the first time hearing what some of the other girls had to say about you, how did that make you feel?
I had a pretty decent if not good relationship with most of the girls in the house. I had no idea that some of them felt the way they felt. It kinda hurt my feelings a little bit, but then I had to snap out of it and realize that they weren't the reason why I was there and they aren't gonna help my career so why let them affect me? And that's just how I feel about most people in general. I'm not gonna allow the negativity to bring me down. I'm gonna continue to stay focused.
Did you have any friends in the house? Is there anybody you talk to even now that it's over?
I talk to a lot of the girls. In the house Brittany was my best friend, I talk to her. I talk to Joslyn, Sheena, Lauren Brie, Nikeysha, McKey and Samantha too, yeah, most of the girls. I made a lot of new friends.
What do you say to those who say that theres no way a trans-woman can be a successful model?
I would say in that case, look at history. Because history has already been made as far as trans-women in the modeling industry, whether they announce it or not it's already there. Personally I'm not trying to be a trans-woman breaking into the fashion industry. I'm trying to be a woman who is successful in the entertainment and fashion industries in general. I wanna get to a point hopefully where I wont be labeled and I'll just be considered the woman that I am. But there's always been trans women in the modeling industry.
You mean like actually modeling, like on the runway?
Yeah.
Did people just not know or...?
Especially like back in the day, people just didn't know. I've heard stories where they were outed and that'd be the end of their career.
Who are your inspirations?
I look at my mother as my biggest inspiration. She had me at seventeen and she struggled. She's the ideal of a powerful strong woman. She's helps me to be strong. And as far as people in the industry, I appreciate all of their achievements but I draw my inspiration from people I personally know.
I know that you are also a fashion designer. You made and designed the gown you wore to the Latex Ball this past summer. Describe the type of line you want to create, menswear, womens wear, evening gowns, haute couture?
I design womens wear, mainly high-end. I love to design gowns, avant-garde garments. I really love to design for red carpet-type events, one of a kind pieces, that's my favorite.
Speaking of the Latex Ball, what is your current role in the ballroom community?
At this point I would consider myself more of a spectator. I've been in the ballroom scene. My first ball that I walked was the Icon Ball, January 6th, 2007. I walked realness and runway that night. Of course I designed my outfit that I walked runway in and I've walked a few times this year as well. Right now I spectate, coming out to support other members of the house.
What house are you in?
Tsunami. I look at being in my house as being more of a lifestyle thing, a support system, a family rather than a competitive thing.
Here's a question: Does Isis date? And if so, what kinda guys does Isis date or does Isis even date guys?
I have dated. Right now I'm trying to stay more focused on my career, especially now with me being known more. So I'm really not into it right now. Of course everyone wants to be happy. Hopefully one day I will get married and have children. i really do want that but not right now though.
So what are your plans for the immediate future?
I'm receiving the "Champion Of Equality" award this November from an organization back home called Equality Maryland. I have a few offers to do some fashion shows. I'm on Model Mayhem, trying to find connections to work on my portfolio and I'm designing, making appearances and things like that.
What message would you have for a young person out there who feels as though they were "born in the wrong body" and wants to transition or is trying to find their way in another area in life?
I would say stay true to yourself. If you don't have a support system, find one. People who you feel will help you in a positive light, nobody who will take you in a negative direction. Also that the sky is the limit. Don't feel like you can't accomplish something just because you're different. That isn't just for trans-people, but people in general. If it has never been done, break that boundary.
And you have most certainly done that.
Isis, I wish you all the best in your life and career. You deserve every good thing coming to you.
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Playing In The Background...
"Circus"
by Britney Spears
from the album "Circus"
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