Original subtitles

DOMINIQUE: I am a strong, independent woman.

My walk is destructive.

ARISCE: I've been in Vogue. That's the fashion bible.

That explains my diva fu----- attitude.

ISIS: I was a finalist on Top Model.

LAITH: I want to be the perfect man.

REN: I'm unfiltered. I just say it how it is.

DOMINIQUE: They want a girl that's six-two, 35-25-35.

They didn't ask if you have a penis or not.

(whooping, applause) CECE: Slay Model Management

is the world's first transgender model agency.

Nice. CASSANDRA: It's an uphill battle.

People don't even know what being transgender is.

CECE: We are a model agency first and trans second.

I'm just gonna tell it like it is.

It's the nose.

The stakes are high here.

We are in competition with each other.

Don't trip. (sarcastic laugh)

Do you even want to be a model?

It just seems like you just don't even try.

I don't want to try. You're ashamed of me.

I just want you to get over the shame.

I have a brand. It's just not gonna happen.

(guests gasping)

DOMINIQUE: We've always been here, and now you know.

Welcome.

*

*

(phone ringing)

(groggily): Hello?

CASSANDRA: I'm waiting down here, Ren.

20 more minutes. I'm getting dressed right now. Which is... I can't...

My name's Ren. I'm 22, and I'm

a "model."

CASSANDRA (in distance): Get down here!

My general philosophy on life is

do what you like, do who you like, and go with the flow.

I consider myself a tomboy.

I like video games, flannel, plaid, cute girls.

I like tall girls, sometimes short girls,

brunette girls, gothy girls.

Ren! My name is

Cassandra Cass.

And part of my job includes picking up the models.

Wrangling models is not the easiest job.

Hurry up!

Ren is

visually stunning.

She's tall. She moves like a gazelle.

Ooh!

When it was first born, of course,

and learning to walk.

Get in the car.

We see something

really extraordinary in Ren.

She could definitely be

on the cover of Vogue.

And now we're late.

We're not late. We'll get there when we get there.

I think Ren kind of takes a lot of this

for granted.

I don't get... We're putting

all this time and energy into you,

but your actions don't show you care.

No offense, what you're wearing looks like crap.

It does not. You look like you smell like

hot dog farts.

I mean, do you feel beautiful?

REN: Back in high school, I thought

that I wouldn't ever really be able to transition

because I had a really...

(voice deepening): really, really deep voice.

Uh, eventually, I actually started just practicing...

(higher pitch): practicing, practicing, and then practicing

until I could get it to a comfortable tone.

You know, I never even anticipated any of this

from the beginning.

But you know what, Ren, this is your chance.

This whole modeling thing seems amazing, but, at the same time,

life's not been too kind.

I used

to be homeless, and at the end of the day,

you kind of have to look at things with a little bit

of skepticism. Who knows if anything's

gonna work out, pretty much.

You got to play the part a little.

You're trying to change someone's lifestyle.

Lifestyle? I'm trying to make sure On the t... on the turn of a dime.

you're on time.

Don't get so defensive. I'm just trying to help you.

I know.

*

Hey, handsome! Hey.

Hi.

I live in Harlem.

The attitude in Harlem is, uh... it's all about swag.

This is my city.

There are women eating corn in Iowa

who are gonna go bonkers for Laith.

He is just so hot.

That smile could just melt your panties.

LAITH: I just took some photos, put them on Instagram.

I just wanted to show my friends. I didn't really expect

that anything would come of it. But the next day,

it was all over social media.

I've gotten stopped in the street a couple times.

Is this what a fan is? Do I have fans?

This is cool. (chuckles)

Since my transition, I've been celibate.

Girls do flirt with me,

but I'm still trying to figure out

whether I even want to date.

I'm still getting comfortable with who I am.

I'm still getting comfortable with my body.

I've only been transitioning for two years.

I'm still acclimating to my new self.

The negative comments that I get on just social media alone

makes me want to disappear.

I want people to see me as just who I am.

Trans comes secondary.

*

Hey, Cassandra.

My name is Cece, and I am the director

and founder of Slay Model Management.

Slay is almost a year old.

We want the really major brands, and we want

the commercial clients. That's where the money is.

I always feel I have to work doubly hard

to get half the recognition.

One day, it will just be a model agency.

Okay. So, this week's gonna be crazy.

Okay. Cassandra is my assistant.

She is trans herself.

So, I got a really big cover for Laith.

CASSANDRA: Oh, I love him. So, this is a big deal.

Is he gonna have his shirt off? Yes.

It's a swimsuit shoot.

Oh, I love it. Oh, God.

You are an HR nightmare.

It's really hard

having models both in L.A. and New York

which is why it's important that Cassandra is on point.

So, we have this model mixer coming up,

and this is really kind of exciting.

It's our one year anniversary.

Everything is under control.

I have the alcohol, I have the food,

I have all the invitations out. Uh-huh.

Don't forget to invite Claudia.

CASSANDRA: Claudia is a model at Slay.

Her ex-boyfriend hit on me.

She took that the wrong way,

sent me a bunch of really nasty,

nasty text messages, calling me trashy.

CECE: They're gonna have to get along

for one night.

This is one thing I...

I really don't want to worry about.

I understand.

Don't fail me.

*

* I'm on fire...

One, two, three.

Nice.

My name is Dominique. I've been a model for about 15 years.

That's really great.

Oh, my.

When I'm in front of the camera,

there's a dance

going on in my head that no one else sees.

Like there's

nothing wrong in the world.

Perfect. Up until

I got signed with Slay,

I was working as a model, but I was doing it quite secretly.

I couldn't tell anyone

that I'm trans.

I was always afraid

if they find out, you may lose the job.

CASSANDRA: Dominique should've been walking the runways

with all the huge supermodels

in the '90s. But, unfortunately,

they were not open to our kind.

DOMINIQUE: I've hidden myself,

I've been embarrassed,

but I've still kept at it.

And now the opportunities are there,

because I have Slay and the right representation.

Amazing. It's like, who cares if you're trans?

Now's my time.

Thank you so very much.

Thank you. (kisses)

Hey, dude. My husband and I

have been married for 18 years.

Hey. How you doin'? What's up?

My husband sees me as a woman that loves him.

Whatcha doin'?

Nothing. Checking the oil level,

the wiper fluid.

He works as an auto mechanic.

Basic meat-and-potatoes guy.

We're two human beings in love.

But he's not about

to run around and tell the world,

"Oh, my wife is trans."

I haven't met his coworkers.

He keeps his friends separate from my life.

And sometimes that does take a toll.

I got to work on this car a little bit longer.

I'm-I'm... You're always working.

I'm kind of getting hungry.

What do you want to eat? I wanted

some steak, if I could.

(sighs)

*

MAN: Next.

Hello.

Here's my book.

And you just swipe away.

ARISCE: Go-sees are

essentially a job interview.

I hate go-sees because I have no business there.

How long have you been in this industry?

A long, long time.

I'm Arisce Wanzer. If you don't know

who I am, I can't help you. I am a supermodel.

I've worked with everyone. I've wanted to be a model

since I was about 14.

I saw the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and I thought,

"I would love to be pretty for a living.

Like, that looks fun."

I actually started as a male model

and then transitioned at 19,

and I just switched over to the women's board.

I've worked with Alexander Wang and Michael Kors, V magazine,

Mario Sorrenti, Patrick Demarchelier.

Good company.

Thank you.

Everyone knows me.

I've been in all the same shows

as major models.

But none of the major recognition, just because

of the whole trans thing.

And that's where the fashion industry has done us wrong.

Ooh, that's pretty.

Thank you. That's my feature

in Vogue Germany.

I've been in Vogue. That's the fashion bible.

I'm better than everyone else.

MAN: How tall are you? Uh, I am six feet tall.

And if you don't mind, how old are you?

I'm older than the last girl.

(chuckles) All right.

I'm going out for the same jobs as girls who are

as young as 15.

If you're after 25,

they're like, "Get the hell out."

I just want to see how you can move.

It frustrates me, because they have

their mind made up before you even got into the room.

Soften your face just a little bit.

Thank you.

I'm getting that job.

I'm the most confident person in the room, and it reads.

It reads on camera, it reads in person.

She has a very hard look

for commercial.

She needs to soften up a little bit.

I'm gonna get the job, because I'm me

and they're them.

Next.

Mom doesn't want to accept who I am. (grunts)

You say it's not normal, and it's

a sin, you're going to hell.

Sometimes I have to give you some hard-ass truths.

*

CECE: Slay represents some

of the world's top trans models.

Nobody else has done this.

How are you? Good. How are you?

You look amazing.

Thank you. How are you? (grunts)

Isis is one of my newer models.

I love the hair. Let me see.

Isis, of course, has this background from

America's Next Top Model.

You look great. Bam. (chuckles)

Thank you.

You got my drink.

ISIS: My career

has been like an emotional roller coaster.

I was on Top Model originally eight years ago.

CASSANDRA: Isis made it to the finals

of America's Next Top Model.

And then she was called out,

and they ripped her apart.

CECE: These girls,

who were clueless,

they called her a drag queen,

they called her a man.

ISIS: That was the first time I was kind of like,

publicly laughed at.

It's just scary.

CASSANDRA: Once she left that show, everybody knew

that she was transgender. Yeah, and it's different.

And she had to go back to the real world,

and deal with all the pressures and judgments.

She was so young, she didn't even defend herself.

ISIS: I took a lot of that bullying and negativity,

and it was just such a big depression after that.

And I quit modeling for a while to really just

get strong within myself.

On the runway, I was this fierce diva

who loved to compete,

but Top Model happened so early in my transition,

I was very insecure with my body.

But now, I'm ready to live up to my full potential.

I'm glad I'm here.

ISIS: I just moved from New York to L.A.

And I'm doing this with all of my savings, all by myself.

So that means, Cece need to get me some work, ASAP.

I like to take some time with every girl,

to talk about, like, where they are with their careers,

and how we can help each other.

I signed Isis to Slay because I still believe in her.

She's been out of the limelight,

but Isis paved the way for all of these trans models.

But I think somewhere along the way, she lost her path.

What's the fast track?

How do we fast-track me to, like,

try to get some endorsements?

I have a brand. Mm-hmm.

You know, most people don't really understand

or grasp the concept. Right.

Like I grasp the concept of my own brand.

CECE: Isis believes that she's a brand.

And she is. I agree, she's a brand.

But that brand fell asleep for a little too long.

The truth is, it's just not gonna happen

tomorrow or next week.

It's almost kind of like starting again.

ISIS: I've put in a lot

of blood, sweat and tears into this industry.

Definitely earned my spot.

My favorite part about the agency

is the development part.

ISIS: I have a fear that

I'm gonna run out of money,

and I'm gonna be stuck,

and I just don't have anybody

to lean on.

It's just scary.

*

Hello. Oh, hey.

What's up?

Look who's late. Mwah.

ARISCE: Ren is a model at my agency.

She's a child.

Next.

Hi. REN: Hello.

Um, so here I have

my general selection of photos.

Do you have your book with you?

REN: Unfortunately, I don't.

Oh. Okay.

You don't have an iPad?

Unfortunately, not.

'Cause these are tiny.

You should invest in one.

ARISCE: The thing is, with new models,

a lot of them have no sense of direction.

You get, "Not so great on camera."

"She's not giving us anything."

Guess why: she hasn't been anywhere.

You need to present it differently than on a phone.

How long have you been modeling?

Um, about six months.

ARISCE: I've been in this business for years.

When people hire a younger girl over me,

I'm like "What are you doing?"

Don't you see that I'm in, like,

different countries in my book,

and this girl's in the same street in downtown L.A.?

Um, do you have shoes with you?

Yeah. Yeah, that would be great.

ARISCE: When they show up to castings,

and they still don't know how to walk?

She didn't do her job.

Ren has to sell it,

that's what she's here for.

WOMAN: Okay. There you go.

Better! Better.

Much better.

A word of advice to you.

You need to make sure you have the tools of the trade,

and an iPad is definitely one of them.

Okay? Okay.

MAN: She's beautiful.

Really great bone structure.

Yeah.

I think she's not seasoned enough.

But the freshness

aspect is nice. Yeah.

In a sense,

she's not jaded yet.

It might be good to have something like that

in the mix. We'll see.

Yeah.

*

* Ah-ah, I get it

* Ah-ah, I do it...

Double up.

One.

(grunts) That's it.

Again.

One, two, three.

(grunting)

Again. (grunts)

LAITH: My dad was close to going

into Minor League Baseball,

and he also fought in the Golden Gloves.

One.

LAITH: I always felt like I was an athlete.

I always loved sports,

and I wanted to be like him.

(laughs): Damn.

I'm out of shape.

Every now and then, he does say that

he misses his little girl,

and I always tell him,

"You never really had one."

(chuckles)

That was a good workout.

You still got the power there. (chuckling): Yeah.

It was good.

You taught me. (laughs)

I have a photoshoot coming up

that I'm nervous about.

It's a cover, and it's a big deal.

There's nothing to worry about it.

If I were you, I wouldn't even pay no mind to that.

LAITH: I think my dad is taking my transition the easiest,

which kind of took me by surprise.

At one point, I thought that me being who I am

was a source of shame to the family.

No. I've always been proud of you.

Your mother, too. You know how she is.

LAITH: My mom loves me,

but she doesn't accept me.

Not in the way that I'd like to, at least.

This cover shoot is a pretty big deal, and I hope that

it's something that she'd be proud of.

Mom, I don't think she understands what it does

to me when she doesn't want to

accept who I am.

That she refuses.

She thinks that by her

accepting it, she's sinning, too.

If you live your life, and...

and you don't harm anybody,

everything's gonna be fine.

LAITH: As accepting as my dad is,

he doesn't really understand what I go through.

*

The bitch is back.

How are you?

CECE: I'm good. How are you?

Excellent.

Can you give me a water, Cassandra?

Yes, ma'am.

I am the baddest bitch who ever lived.

I get my badassness from my mom.

She raised four kids... no man.

I was a little boy at the time. (chuckles)

So, I'm here to defy all odds.

I want campaigns. There.

Like, I'll say it. I'll say it first.

I want campaigns. I want campaigns for you, too.

I want more campaigns. I want a fragrance campaign.

Mm-hmm. I want a beauty campaign.

I want JCPenney, I want Target.

Hell, I want Barnes & Noble.

(chuckling): Okay?

Hey, I want Barnes & Noble for you.

ARISCE: High fashion doesn't pay.

But you get a Target campaign, and you get $300,000.

You are not working anymore,

for the rest of the year, if you don't want to.

And for any major retailer, just to hire a trans person

to do something normal.

Go figure: we buy toilet paper, too.

Get out.

So, first, I want all of those things for you.

Okay. You know that.

But sometimes I have to go and give you

some hard-ass truths as well.

Okay. This is like the difficult

conversation I need to have with you.

Is it my lips?

They're too big?

It's the nose.

Why does America hate black people?

You know what? Whether you're Asian,

black, whatever,

everybody's supposed to have this nose.

Mm-hmm. It's terrible.

This is for business.

It's about her possibly booking more.

CASSANDRA: What she doesn't understand is

part of being a woman, and being a model,

is being feminine.

She doesn't take hormones.

And part of taking hormones is...

Do you take hormones?

I take... honey, I... I take hormones like Tic Tacs.

(laughing)

Like, what does that say about me

for setting a new beauty standard

for people who do look like me?

It says you're a good businesswoman.

This is bull----.

He said that I'm supposed to change my nose.

I kind of agree with him, though.

Bitch!

It's a swimsuit shoot. I'm not ready.

Is there any way to postpone it? No.

This is the type of stuff that makes me

*

I have to give you some hard-ass truths.

Is it my lips?

They're too big?

It's the nose.

This is bull----.

I work so hard to love myself.

Like, you have to literally work at it, every single day.

I'm not embarrassed about my face at all.

My nose is the same exact nose as my mom,

my sisters, my aunts.

I've gotten a lot of money off of it.

And a lot of really hot guys.

No one ever said, "She's so hot, I'd bang her, but that nose..."

No. They'd bang her.

I just want you to consider

seeing Dr. Pincus.

I don't want a Cindy Lou Who nose.

I think those are gross.

And they don't fit black people's faces.

I don't want or need

to get my nose done,

because I've gotten this far.

I've been featured in Vogue three times.

How many of the other girls can say that?

The answer is none.

Nada. Zip. Zilch.

Please think about it.

I am done talking about this.

*

Hi.

How are you?

LAITH: I met Dominique

through signing with Slay,

and she's kind of become a mentor to me.

I call her auntie, and I look to her

whenever I need advice on things about modeling,

or even, how to deal with a family

that is not always as supportive as-as I'd like.

Excuse me, but I-I'm dumping a lot of sugar in this.

(laughs) Just FYI.

And I don't get it. Yeah...

Then you're gonna go to the gym and work it all out.

Yep. (chuckles)

I-I don't understand it, but that's you.

What's up?

Nothing much.

You tell me what's going on.

You know when your parents have all of these things

that they want you to be or become, or these ideas

of who you're gonna be in the future,

and then you're not that?

And you feel like you're disappointing them.

Yeah. I felt the same way.

You talk about your mom.

You said she's supportive when she wants to be, right? Yeah.

I mean, she's supportive when it comes to me as her kid, like,

Right. I'm her child, and she loves me.

But what she doesn't support, obviously,

is who I am as... a man.

It is really difficult for Laith

to be comfortable with himself

when his mom still looks at him

as her daughter.

When your mom doesn't accept you,

it's very difficult for you

to actually, truly, accept yourself.

So, it's a... it's a religious thing, I take it.

Yeah.

She has her beliefs, right? Yeah.

And you cannot go against another person's beliefs,

because then, you would be a hypocrite.

Right.

But you still have to tell her

how you feel.

Yeah. Because you're not hiding.

We are not hiding anymore. Yeah.

I'm really nervous about speaking to my mom,

because I-I think I've disappointed her.

We try to talk about my transition, and where I am now,

and she just shuts down.

And I think that really needs to change.

You have a lot at stake.

You have a lot in front of you. Yeah.

And it's kind of hard.

Yeah.

But as times progresses,

and you become more comfortable

with you, and you realize that

you're not as they so-call this abomination,

or whatever. Yeah.

You're a human being.

You're a beautiful man.

And it's... (both laughing)

My mom's gonna get mad,

(chuckling): but it's all right.

No, let's not get Mom angry, you know how those

Caribbean mothers can be. Just kidding. Yeah.

*

Did you

go by the agency today?

No, I didn't. Why?

Oh, okay 'cause I was there.

I was gonna say, we could've rode together.

But, um, I need a drink.

Chanel's a friend of mine, and fellow mean girl

at Slay Models.

Get the glasses. Ooh! Mimosas.

ARISCE: We're the bad bitches.

Let's be real here.

We talk about everybody.

It's fun, but we tell the truth.

My fav.

Well, I talked to Cecilio,

and he said that I'm supposed to change my nose.

What? Why?

Because he said that

casting directors weren't booking me,

or weren't pulling me in for jobs

because they don't think, like, my nose

is photographable from the front.

My God.

Right? No, like...

Vogue.

Like, actually, in Vogue.

I kind of agree with him, though.

(laughs)

Bitch!

You've lost your goddamn mind.

Give me my champagne back.

I think the industry needs to change.

I don't think I need to change.

I think it looks fine.

It fits my face.

I give you body, legs...

I'm hilarious.

If you want to hire a nose, hire a nose.

There's tons of nice noses out there.

Stop bothering me.

(door opens)

Look who just barges in.

Oh! Bitch, you ain't welcome here.

I came by

because I was a little concerned.

Me and Arisce are pretty tight,

so I simply wanted to give her my experience

with cosmetic enhancement.

I... Construction?

Construct... I do feel like I'm kind of like Rome.

Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was Cassandra.

You saw I was mad?

I mean, what's going on?

Cecilio wants me to change,

uh, my nose.

Right. No... and, uh...

I told her, I agreed a little.

You... ain't been through what I've been through, okay?

CASSANDRA: I got to keep it real.

You want more

beauty work.

But if you want work, you have to be realistic.

When I think

of Arisce's look, I do not think delicate.

And I feel that if she were to get

the rhinoplasty, I feel it would give her...

Feminine. a little more femininity.

It is very aggressive.

I think she needs to chop that nose.

They're gonna pick a younger model,

who's, you know, got a more petite nose.

That isn't getting rid of, you know, your being,

you know, black.

Where does it stop, though?

(laughs)

I'm conflicted with caring

about missing opportunities

about the way I look just because

I want to get better jobs.

You know, I was living in shame for 18 years,

not happy with myself.

I don't know.

It's really hard to make me

ashamed of myself after that.

CASSANDRA: You know, I've had a lot of things do

and I've done them for myself, but also

I wanted to be the fiercest woman

that I felt I could be.

CHANEL: No, and... I think I am that.

I just think you should see a doctor,

and just get an opinion.

ARISCE: I don't know.

It's in the maybe zone,

but it's also the maybe not.

Yeah. So, we will see.

Well, you know, you could always go out and get a real job.

(sputters, laughing)

(all laughing) Girl!

No.

*

CECE: Hi, Laith. How are you?

LAITH: Hey, Cece. What's going on?

So, everything's good. Are you prepped

for the Attitude shoot?

You're going to shoot with Leon Carrera.

Yeah. I looked

at his work. He's fantastic.

Yeah, he's worked with a lot

of really good models and celebrities.

So, this is good. Yeah.

Have you manscaped?

Manscape?

What do I need to manscape for?

It's a swimsuit shoot.

Manscaping is, essentially,

either removing all of,

or trimming down, your body hair.

It's important for an aesthetic look,

especially during a photoshoot where you're in nothing

but, you know, tiny briefs, or, uh, swimwear.

I don't think I'm... I'm not ready.

I'm not.

LAITH: Yesterday, I was totally

fine with the shoot. Now, I'm being

told that I'm gonna be shirtless,

and it's a swimwear and underwear shoot.

I have 60,000 followers on social media,

and I feel like I'm constantly dealing

with all these negative comments.

It's hurtful.

And I really don't want to deal

with that anymore.

I'm not ready. I'm not...

I can't do it. Not now, it's too soon.

Is there any way

to postpone it?

No, because...

we can't really tell clients,

"No." I mean, we can't.

We can't do that.

I don't know if this is gonna work.

I don't know.

CECE: Laith is his own worst enemy.

Laith will knock down everything about himself

and then he will take it to heart.

It's a very self-inflicting kind of thing.

It's not just about you now.

Next thing you know, nobody's gonna want

to work with us because,

"Oh, don't use somebody from Slay because they're late

or they don't show up."

If he doesn't show up

to this shoot, this will

forever affect his career.

Not everybody gets this chance.

This is the type of stuff that makes me want to quit

modeling al-altogether.

Maybe it's... this is not for me,

because I'm always freaking out

about these things, and I don't...

I'm just not... I don't know if I'm even...

I'm ready for all of this.

...people were popular... Pause, pause, pause, young lady.

You're not gonna last if you act

like those flash- in-the-pan girls.

Are you sure Cece can't cancel?

*

Oh, wow.

You look like you're having fun.

Is that see-through? Partially.

ARISCE: So, Cassandra and Ren

walk in, and, uh, Ren's in this new getup.

Obviously curated by Cassandra.

Did you get any taste from this lesson? (giggles) (mumbles)

REN: I did the makeup myself,

but the dress she had to wrestle me into, pretty much.

CASSANDRA: I took Ren shopping

to up her model game.

I felt that she needed to be in touch with her feminine side.

So did you give her any of your extra blonde extensions?

Honey, I'm all natural.

What do you think about the go-see the other day, Ren?

You think you got it?

I don't know. I think they generally liked me,

just not the unpreparedness.

But if they want me, they want me. They don't, they don't.

That's the way the cookie crumbles.

I'm excited and kind of psyched, you know,

if I get the whole go-see thing, but, if not,

---- doesn't always work out.

Win some, you lose some.

Where do you see yourself in ten years, Ren?

Hopefully... happy,

with a girlfriend and on a billboard somewhere.

Do you care about fashion at all?

CASSANDRA: Do you have Naomi Campbell

on speed dial? (crickets chirping)

You don't know who Naomi Campbell is? You don't know who that is?

I've heard the name.

Okay, girl. (giggles)

This is a career. If you're doing this for fun,

get out-- you're taking jobs from girls

who want to make this a career. You're annoying us.

You guys were growing up as these things were happening No.

and as, like, these people were popular... No, no, no, no, no. Here's the thing.

Pause, pause, pause, young lady.

You're not gonna last if you act

like those flash- in-the-pan girls.

I see them come and go every single year.

Every single season, actually.

I love this job.

It fits me as a person.

I manifested all of this, and I worked really hard for it.

What I'd be nervous about is not working anymore.

A little bit of education can really benefit you.

It'll make you last longer.

I just feel like, so far, throughout my entire career,

that it would not have helped me whatsoever.

I don't necessarily aspire to be a model like Arisce.

I don't need to know every single, like,

celebrity or supermodel,

or where Tom Cruise ate a sandwich.

It's not on my to-do list.

The best models are the people who are passionate about it.

When I need to be on, I can be on.

When I need to represent, I can represent.

When I need to... You always need to represent.

There's always people watching.

Like, some kid's looking at you in, like, Michigan somewhere.

Well, what if I don't want to be a role model, though?

You signed up for that. What if I just want to live my life?

I want you to care.

You're trying to live your ideals through me.

Everybody... Do you even know about my past? No.

You've never even asked me what I've done

or what I've been through.

What do you think, I just get you coffee?

(Cassandra chuckles) Can I get a mimosa?

(laughter) For the love of God.

Do you want to stay?

'Cause the girls who stay, care.

If she keeps that "I don't care" attitude, guess what?

They're not gonna care either.

Because it's only cute when you're young.

Comfortable Ren in her comfortable existence.

Not knowing a damn thing about the modeling world.

* Tell me where you're going, tell me where you've been *

* I remember every day, you know... *

DOMINIQUE: Let's go.

Let's walk down this way with Mommy.

I know you're not trying to poop.

Come on.

Good boy!

(phone ringing)

Cece.

I'm well. What's happening?

Yeah?

A what?

If you book a cover,

get your ass up and go.

That is a very rare opportunity

for transgender models.

What time is his calltime?

Dominique is a mentor.

I'm really hoping

that she can talk some sense into Laith.

And I know that she knows the value of being on a cover.

Because this is a big deal.

I'll be on my way right now.

*

DOMINIQUE: I don't think Laith realizes,

for him to be brand-new, and to be offered a cover.

I know models who have been in the paint for ten years

that have never gotten a cover.

Good morning.

LAITH (over phone): Yeah.

I'm downstairs.

What's happening?

I need you down here and ready to go.

Laith's issues are not

about vanity, it's about acceptance.

In my opinion, I believe that Laith needs to talk to his mom,

and somehow find some common ground between them.

You sure Cece can't cancel and do this some other time?

You're not canceling.

Or reschedule.

For what?

My skin is not ready.

Look at my hair.

I am.

This whole week I, like, messed up my-my diet, and...

I ate a bunch of cake and...

You have people that organized this stuff for you.

Their time is precious and important.

And as a model,

that's one of the disciplines you have to learn.

There are many people out there

who would love to have this opportunity.

Cancelling, and especially at the last minute,

or just not showing up, I fear for his career.

I'm gonna be shirtless. It's a shirtless shoot. Yeah.

It just seems like you just don't even try.

I don't want to try.

So you're ashamed.

Did they mention my nose this time?

*

Okay, we're here.

Mm-hmm.

DOMINIQUE: Don't worry about it. LAITH: I'm not sure what will happen

if I don't go through with this photo shoot.

But I don't want to put

the agency's reputation on the line.

Remember when you walk in,

attitude, keep it together, okay?

I know. Don't let them see you panicking.

I... I'll try. (chuckles)

All right, come on, let's go.

Laith. Glad to meet you.

Start with your face.

Yeah, I probably put way too much stuff in there. (laughs)

Showing up to a photo shoot, working with a new photographer,

I always want to make the best impression possible.

Hopefully next time we meet, my skin will be in better shape.

I promise.

If I have a blemish, I don't want to be on camera.

I want to be as close to perfect as possible,

so that not a lot of editing is needed.

I-I feel like

I'm being judged every moment of every day.

Start with just, like, some, like,

James Dean-y eyebrow looks, okay?

My feet... Yeah, I just want to see kind of, like,

the arm a little up, yeah.

I would prefer if your body is still

hanging this way.

All right, let's see.

Little more.

You can do better than that.

Ready? Give me a smile maybe.

Beautiful. Nice.

* They say you listen to what you're told *

All right, let's go.

Chin up.

* It's automatic

* It's automatic...

Okay, keep going.

That's very nice.

Beautiful.

You're doing great.

Gosh, the dude's...

abs and his chest.

There's not a soft,

cushy place

anywhere on his body.

It's like a bedrock zoo.

(laughing): Okay.

Beautiful. Yeah, there you go.

Beautiful.

And then very serious and sexy.

Chin up.

Go. Beautiful, keep going.

Keep going, keep going, keep going.

You're beautiful.

LAITH: Thank God Dominique pushed me to do this

because you see the final image

and you're like, "Wow, that's me?"

(laughing): Thank you.

I'm kind of on a high right now.

Now that I'm feeling so much more confident,

I think I'm-I'm ready to talk to my mom.

Good job.

(laughs)

* Don't be afraid

* Just do it like the first time *

* Do it like the first time, don't turn away... *

Hey, Arisce.

Did you get my message?

I did. Good.

I wanted to hear about the go-see that we went on.

Ren got it.

ARISCE: I lose work

to younger models all the time

and I don't have a problem with that.

I have a problem with them not being as talented as me.

I find it annoying when people deign to do something

when other people die to do something.

Did they mention my nose this time?

They alluded to it.

I'll talk to Dr. Pincus.

Do I want to get a nose job?

Not necessarily.

But I'm gonna meet with this doctor.

Maybe he'll give me, like,

the most beautiful face I've ever had.

In which case would be a nightmare

because I'm already difficult.

So if I'm even prettier, I'm gonna be a real bitch.

Get home safe. Text me.

*

LAITH: All right.

I'm really nervous about

speaking to my mom

because I-I think I've disappointed her.

I've been avoiding having the conversation

because I know that

her views aren't going to change.

You should come in with me.

Where? To the church.

(scoffs) Mom, stop.

My mother is Pentecostal Christian.

I did go to church with her a couple times.

They, like, point at me and say,

"Oh, there's a demonic spirit within this person.

Let's pray for her."

The last time it happened,

I got up and-and left.

I just want you to respect me as the person that I am.

And that's what I do.

No, you don't.

You said it yourself, you say, it's not normal

and it's a sin, you're going to hell because...

I don't say that.

Yes you do, you tell me... My Bible say that.

Does it?

I don't... I've never read that in there.

People don't want to see what they don't want to see.

You want to force me

to call you "he,"

but I can't.

It just seems like you just don't even try.

I don't want to try.

So you're ashamed.

You're ashamed of me.

It was my dream

to see you growing up,

with a nice, beautiful dress.

That wasn't me.

This is who I am.

Mom.

Are you crying?

(sniffles)

I'm sorry. See, this is...

You are suffering, this is why it affects me a lot.

It's not... it's not easy.

I know.

You know the way that I think.

You know the way that I am.

You know the way that I grow up.

You don't know how many times I threw myself on the floor

to pray so I can change?

Thinking that if I die, I'm going straight to hell

because of who I am?

I know that only God can change that part of your life.

But I like who I am.

I like what I see in the mirror now.

This is what... I'm comfortable.

Don't think about what mommy feel... how...

what mommy thinks right now.

That's not gonna stop.

When she's looking at me, she's looking at

the little girl, Ashley.

It makes me feel like

I don't know who I am.

And I don't think anyone else can tell me who I am.

Even though, like, I know that, there is that need

to please other people,

especially my-my family.

And obviously the fear of going to hell.

Give me a hug.

* What you got in your head for me *

* Is it all in your head...

(sniffling)

I love you.

I love you, too, Mom. (sniffles)

Oh.

*

*

So, this looks really, really good.

I'm super proud of you, look at you.

You made this happen. Thank you.

CECE: This model mixer is a big deal for Slay.

It's our one year anniversary.

And having the entire agency

under one roof,

it's a good time to go and celebrate

one another's successes,

everybody's work,

and just to catch up.

So my question is,

what is going on with Claudia?

A client pre-approved her

and it was a big account.

She just didn't show up.

Oh, my God.

I get really upset thinking about it.

She's representing you.

Yeah. And I know that I might get a little protective...

Yes, but I need you on your best behavior.

Claudia and Cassandra

have had issues in the past.

There's a lot of tension there.

Both of them have to find a way

to work with one another.

Come on, it's a party.

How hard could that be?

I mean, I think Claudia is amazing,

but it really pisses me off.

And it's not like she's...

Oh. CECE: Hi.

Uh-oh, here she comes. (chuckling)

You can't even show up to a booking.

That's not right! Claudia, you can't...

*

CECE: How are you? CASSANDRA: Hi! Mwah.

* Raise a toast to the party

I do hugs. Oh.

* Got you drunk on my body

Hi, Cassandra. Mwah.

ARISCE: How are you?

Hi. Where are the drinks?

(chuckles) Mwah.

Hi. Where are the drinks? Hi!

Hi. Mwah. Hello. Where are the drinks?

Claudia is here.

Come on, slay. Mm-hmm.

Slay for the-for the sake of slaying.

Great top. Mwah. Thank you.

I can't stop looking at your boobs.

I'm like, you better work.

*

Well, thank you for coming. Of course.

So this is our office.

CECE: Hi.

I'd put my purse down, but I see broke girls everywhere.

CASSANDRA: Oh, my God.

I want Claudia to apologize.

Uh-oh, here she comes. (chuckling)

So, how have you been, Claudia?

I've been very, very good,

especially after our last conversation.

Are you gonna say you're sorry?

I'm not in any place, certainly, to tell someone

what they should or shouldn't do.

You called me "trash."

I know you to be...

What, Claudia?

She's not gonna apologize?

I'm furious.

You look very pretty in that dress.

Oh, I know I do.

I love a good prom dress.

Do you?

I had when I was 16.

Which was how long,

long, long, long ago I'm sorry, Claudia, how old are you?

that you have lines on your face and you look like...

Claudia, look at you! Look at you.

You want to come for me? You need to shut it. You're on OkCupid.

You could never.

I don't want to come for you, you're trash. Ever. Look at you.

You can't even show up to a booking.

How many times...

(guests gasping)

CECE: Wait, what is going on?

Cece?

That's not right! Claudia, you can't...

Are they wasting alcohol? (laughs)

I don't partake in such drama

because I like to throw my shade subtly,

behind you back like a classy young lady.

CASSANDRA: That is insane. That is ridiculous! Can you stop her?

CECE: This is terrible for Slay.

This behavior makes us look like amateurs.

ISIS: This is not what I'm here for.

(crying): This is what I didn't want.

Trans women,

we have this stereotype of being catty,

or wanting attention.

I'm still brand-new in the agency

and this is definitely not a good first impression for me.

Why would I want to be around that?

* You know how we do it

This is fu----- ridiculous.

* You will learn tonight

Fu----- playing sh--.

Like what the fu--, man?

(crying): This is not what I'm here for.

* I'm-a show you it'll be all right *

* You will learn tonight...

*

They've never had a trans model.

You're gonna be their first ever.

Uh-huh.

Excuse me?

I'm leaving New York.

CECE: When you get a group of really beautiful people together,

people will hook up.

I don't disclose that I'm trans.

So yours is a crapshoot-- you don't know what you're getting.

Pretty much.

Sex is sex.

It just happens.

So have you ever dated a special girl before?

ARISCE: Our dating pool

is, like, this deep.

It is quite shallow.

More shallow than me.

DOMINIQUE: When you transition,

people do lose friends and family.

Hey. I want to show him

that I can make it on my own.

Why do you think I'm jealous?

It's so obvious.

I'm not gonna sit there

while someone disrespects my friend.

CASSANDRA: You have a lot at stake.

Uh...

We could lose

our first major client.

CASSANDRA: You have a lot to learn.

MAN: Keep in mind, you're blocking the product right now.

*

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org

For more information on Strut, go to Oxygen.com.

Did you see that? That was incredible.

Amazing. I love this.