Valentina Sampaio has reportedly made history. According to the 22-year old herself, assuming we’re interpreting her latest Instagram message correctly, Sampaio has been hired to appear in an upcoming Victoria’s Secret campaign. And what, exactly, would make this notable and, as mentioned above, historic? Sampaio would become the first openly transgender model to pose for the lingerie company, which has been trying to rebrand of late. The Brazilian beauty just shared the photo featured here of herself sitting in a bathrobe backstage at what she writes was a photo shoot for the company’s PINK line on Long Island, New York. “Backstage click @vspink #bastidores #new #vspink #campaign #representatividade #diversity #beauty #selfie #model #life #fashion #usa #vstorm #valentinasampaio #bomdia,” Sampaio wrote. It’s unclear whether she also set the record for hashtags with this caption. Sampaio also posted a selfie video on this same account, making the same general reference to her Victoria’s Secret hiring. “Never stop dreaming genteee #staytuned #bastidores #new #vspink #campaign #representatividade #diversity #beauty #selfie #life #fashion #usa #vstorm #valentinasampaio,” she wrote, later adding: “Life is amazing… Love more and hate less, hate is useless, just do not waste time with it!” In a statement to E! News, Sampaio’s manager Erio Zanon praised his client for creating history with this “amazing and groundbreaking” news. “She is super happy and proud to represent all her community,” he says. “She hopes this opportunity shall be another step to break barriers.” For the record: Neither Victoria’s Secret nor its parent company, L Brands, have yet commented this seemingly huge announcement. It’s worth noting, though, that Sampaio’s hiring would come just as the company looks to rebrand amid declining sales — and following controversial remarks that the group’s chief marketing officer made last year about the idea of including transgender and plus-size models in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show… … which has since been canceled . Assuming Sampaio really is now a Victoria’s Secret model, the reaction online has mostly been very positive. With a few exceptions, of course, as you might expect. “First transgender to shoot with Vs! This make me so happy!” Victoria’s Secret Angel and fellow Brazilian model Lais Ribiero Tweeted on Saturday. “Wow finally!” added fellow transgender star, LGBTQ+ activist and Orange Is the New Black alum Laverne Cox. In 2017, Sampaio also made fashion history by becoming the first transgender model to appear on the cover of a Vogue publication, specifically Vogue Paris. We’ll update this story when/if Victoria’s Secret itself makes a statement. But what do you think about this apparent major piece of news?
Originally posted here:
Valentina Sampaio Named Victoria’s Secret’s First Transgender Model
