Valentina Sampaio, first trans model to be on Sports Illustrated

Valentina Sampaio made history by being the first openly transgender model for the Sports Illustrated Magazine. She is one of the eight models chosen for the 2020 swimsuit issue. The issue will be out on July 21. The Brazilian super model shared this the news through her Instagram post.

The model said that she was excited and honored to be a part of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Her Instagram caption read, “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.”

Valentina Sampaio was also the first trans model to appear on the cover of Vogue, Paris Edition in 2017. In 2019, she was the first trans model hired by Victoria’s secret for its Pink line. In an essay, on the Sports Illustrated, Sampaio wrote that what her casting means to her community. She wrote, “Being trans usually means facing closed doors to people’s heart and minds. We face snickers, insults, fearful reaction 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.”

View this post on Instagram

What a incredible honor🥰 I’m very grateful to @mj_day and the amazing @si_swimsuit team 🌈🦋 #unitedindiversity #loveyourself #beunique #spreadlove #respect #support #transisbeautiful #transrights

A post shared by Valentina Sampaio (@valentts) on Jul 14, 2020 at 6:45am PDT