Slay Model Management, having already made its mark as the first ever transgender exclusive model agency, are now ready to break another barrier. On February 15, 2020, Slay will be launching it’s first ever worldwide transgender model search (at One Culver in Los Angeles). “We are looking for star quality,” says Cecilio Asuncion, the founder and director of Slay Model Management. “It takes more than beauty to be a top model. It takes determination, a healthy outlook, and a visceral understanding that she is a model first, and a Trans woman second”.
Slay Model Management models have appeared in campaigns for everything from Elle Magazine, Truvada, and the groundbreaking television show Pose. The agency itself has gotten some much deserved shine as well. The Oxygen-TV series, Strut, executive produced by the equally groundbreaking Whoopi Goldberg), was built around the agency itself and showcased the joys and the challenges models faced in the fashion industry, as they attempted to overcome gender and beauty stereotypes, while also trying to weave in a personal life throughout.
Asuncion goes on to clarify: “Slay is not about selling Transness. We are selling a young woman’s capability to represent a brand or a designer. Sure, it’s great to be booked during June for Pride month, but what we want is sustainability and opportunities year-round.”
To enter the model search, hopefuls are encouraged to visit the Slay Model Management website (www.slaymodels.com) and click on the “Get Scouted” tab. Natalie Chang, the head of new faces at Slay Model Management cautions all women prepare themselves mentally as they will be competing against thousands of other young women for only three spots.
Twenty-five finalists will be selected from all entries received through the website. They will be invited to compete in the February 15, 2020 finale at One Culver in Los Angeles, hosted by supermodel and Slay Model Management talent, Arisce Wanzer and International Celebrity DJ and Slay Model Management talent Lina Bradford.
The model competition will be co-produced by celebrity event planner Jason Rhee of the Rheefined Company. Jason has spent the last fifteen years producing events that are designed around experiences and inclusion, and considers it “an honor to be a part of producing this event and my goal is to create an event that matches the beauty of each of the contestants.”
The Slay Model Management Model Search takes place Saturday, February 15, 2020 at One Culver in Los Angeles. For more information, visit Slaymodels.com
Shots of Models (in order): Maria, Phoenix, Dexter Simmons, Linda Bradford (Courtesy of Slay Model Management)