There’s a vacancy in the world of primetime modeling competitions now that Tyra Banks is no longer instructing pretty young things to “smize” for the camera. While Rita Ora is taking up the mantle as the new host of America’s Next Top Model on VH1, we bet that all of the reality TV buzz will go to Strut, a new series premiering next month on Oxygen. Produced by Whoopi Goldberg, the show focuses the faces of Slay Model Management, “the world’s first exclusive transgender modeling agency.” Goldberg stated:
“This show is important right now because for all of the positive advances the community has made and continues to make, transgender is still a hot-button word that gets people hysterical. People tend to focus on the stereotype instead of the person, and this series will give viewers a unique opportunity to spend time with real people who are struggling with the same challenges we all face as we make our way through the world.” -Whoopi Goldberg
Strut will document the struggles and triumphs of a set of Slay’s up-and-comers as they try to make it big in the modeling industry. The cast includes Laith De La Cruz, Arisce Wanzer, Ren Spriggs, and Isis King of ANTM fame.
Even for a cisgendered male or female, the modeling industry is no easy picnic but the models of Strut also have the complicated layer of living in a world that isn’t always accepting of transgendered people. Hopefully Strut will aid these trailblazers in achieving their dreams and help to influence viewers to treat all people with dignity and respect.
Strut airs on Oxygen on Tuesday, September 20th. Watch the trailer below.
