Eyes were glued to the CW's premiere of
the hit reality show America's Next Top Model last night for a
first-hand look at transgender contestant Isis. The short answer is: She's fierce.
Isis' addition to the program was met
with some controversy when Fox News
aired a segment with anchor Gregg Jarrett and Us Weekly
editor-at-large Ian Drew snickering at the twenty-two year old model
hopeful.
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against
Defamation (GLAAD) called the segment “offensive” and demanded an
apology. GLAAD had previously applauded the producers of Model
for their first-ever inclusion of a transgender woman.
On the two-hour premiere, several girls
were turned off by Isis' revelation of being a pre-operative
transsexual, most notably eighteen-year-old Sharaun, who said the
winner of Model was “not going to be a drag queen.” And
Clark said, “Isis has no place in this competition.”
But Isis proved them both wrong when
her photo was judged second best.
In fact, the judges immediately liked
her and so did several girls. One said of her transitioning, “You're
like a butterfly.” And McKey found Isis to be a “pretty cool
chick.”
The show also features Elina, an openly
lesbian contestant who appears to be a strong contender.
Sharaun, who boasted to each judge she
was the most qualified to win and mocked Isis during her photo shoot
by saying she needed a shave, was the first eliminated from the
contest. Might be the first televised instance of fierce-karma.