All language subtitles for Strut.S01E06.1080p.WEBRip.x264-ION10

Slay Model Management
is the world's first

transgender model agency.

I'm leaving New York.

Since I left New York,

Al has become distant.

You don't sound too happy.

I'm not gonna let
you f--- my career.

I don't know if our marriage
is going to survive.

LAITH:
I haven't dated anyone since

I started my transition.

If anyone's gonna
have Laith, it's me.

LAITH:
She's just not afraid
and that's hot.

God.
What's going on?

ARISCE:
Me and Laith are dating.

It's official.

You're really
cute by the way.

You better work.
(laughs)

We have a go-see with Spiegel.

Spiegel is huge.

ARISCE:
'Cause I've done
this 1,000 times.

The younger girls freeze up
all of the time.

You got the job.

(grunting)

You're gonna be their
first trans model.

ARISCE:
When people hire
a younger girl over me

I'm like, "What are you doing?"

LAITH:
This is New York fashion week.

I invited my mom,
but she's never seen me

at a runway show.

ARISCE:
Did your mom come?

I don't know
what's going on.

Arisce is saying,
"You should come to L.A."

ARISCE:
If Laith ultimately
doesn't move to L.A.,

there is no relationship.

I just keep losing you
with the face.

It's distracting
from the clothing.

I can either shut it down

and cut my losses.

I just can't afford
to lose the money.

Cece, I need to go home.

Al got her a ring.

Your job is to keep
Dominique in L.A.

CASSANDRA: You got the
bridal commercial.

I would get married in this.

What the hell?!
(laughs)

*

* Let's ri-i-i-i-de

* Livin' that vi-i-i-i-be...

Hello.

It's really exciting

to be back in New York.

It's amazing

that I got this
whole Spiegel thing.

Spiegel's a major
fashion catalog.

If I've heard of them, you know
that they've got to be big.

And, apparently,
I'm going to be

the first trans cover model
for it.

Above anything, really, I want

to make everyone
in the agency proud.

I'm really glad

Laith and Arisce are in town
for fashion week.

I'm definitely a little bit

nervous about the Spiegel shoot,

because this is as a huge deal

as everybody's been
making it out to be.

So, are you at least glad

to be seeing him again
in New York?

Don't enjoy

the long distance?

We talk on the phone a lot.

I give Arisce and Laith

a lot of s--- about...

them dating because

they're all over social media.

I enjoy Laith's company.

Aw.
(laughs)

I enjoy my company, too.

(Laith laughs)

Arisce and I

are dating long distance.

We've gotten close pretty fast,

but I wish she weren't
so far away.

Are you shooting

a fashion shoot?
Or is it... what is it?

I got the Spiegel shoot.

Nice.
Congratulations.

So exciting.

ARISCE:
It's a huge deal,
actually.

She's playing it down.

Spiegel is exactly the kind
of mainstream job

I would have loved to have.

I'm still irritated. I should
have been a first choice.

Like, her and Cece
have been, like,

drilling into me that

I'm gonna be the first

trans model to get, like,
a c-commercial campaign.

Wow, that's a huge deal.

But, um, the good thing is

you don't really
have to be nervous.

When you're taking,
like, 125 photos,

you're only gonna like,
like, two of them, anyways.

They just use all of them.

This is New York City.

This is a real brand.

I would hope she sees
this as an opportunity

to really bring it.

It'll be fine.

And they'll hire you
again and again and again

if you do a good job.

Is she ready?

I don't know.

I hope for the best.

Fingers all the way crossed.

You'll be fine.

* Runnin', runnin'

* Runnin', runnin' out of time

* Runnin', runnin'

* Runnin' to the dark side.

I thought you
had a pet here.

(laughing):
Oh, stop it.
(laughs)

Can I borrow it?

You have nothing

to attach it to.
I'll just have bangs.

(laughs)

DOMINIQUE:
Today I'm shooting

for a major makeup brand.

I'm loving my career.

I'm loving

everything that's happening.

So, how are you doing?

How do you feel?

(sighs)
Just crazy?

But the emotions
are so mixed because

my mind is still on my husband.

I'm doing what
I need to do

to give us the come up
that we need.

You're out there by yourself
and I'm, I'll be by myself.

I don't know if
I can have both career

and family.

This is the longest

we've been apart

and it's hard on him.

It's a lot of work.

But I'm not
sleeping well.

I miss my husband.

So, Cece, I need to go home.

You know what?

Home is where you make it
and this is it now.

It's like... the other girls
need you. I need you.

I know I can still
get her more work,

but I'm really worried that
she's giving up on her career

when it's just starting
to take off.

You know what?

I don't ever like bringing up

the age thing or anything,

but it's more of,
like, your viability.

It's like...

if not now, when?

LAITH:
Do you have anything to wear

for the after party?

I always have
something to wear.

It's just I would need
something new to wear.

Is there a particular store
you want to go to?

It's SoHo. I want
to try all of them.

LAITH:
It's really cool that

Arisce and I are walking

for New York Fashion Week.

Fashion Week
is, like, a big deal.

I was having a
conversation with my mom.

She told me that
she showed my pictures

to some lady in church

and she actually
called me her son.

I was like, "Whoa."

I was shocked.
Well, that's sweet.

Yeah.
(chuckles)

My mom had the hardest time

with my transition

because of her religious views.

When I learned that she
called me her son at church,

it's a huge deal,
especially for her.

I was thinking about inviting
her to our show tomorrow.

Invite her to the show.

I'm gonna. I think
I'm gonna call her, but...

Hold on.
I see something sinister I need.

Okay.

Uh, if I take too long,
just come and get me.

Yeah. I'll go in.
Okay.

LAITH:
I want my mom to be
part of my life.

And I want her to meet Arisce.

I hope my mom
will be open to that.

Hey, Mom.

Hey, what, how, what's going on?

I have a fashion show tomorrow

and, uh, I was thinking
that maybe

you should come?

It would mean a lot if you came.
And, um,

uh, I want you to meet one
of the models in Slay.

Her name is Arisce.

My mom has met all

my past girlfriends,
and then she's, like,

got really close to them

and they became,
like, best friends.

She's a friend of mine.

Yeah, she's a pretty
close friend.

But I don't talk

about relationships with my mom
when they're developing.

It's usually

after they're already a thing.

Then I'll introduce

them to her.

If, uh, my mom
were to meet Arisce,

I think she'd be

really excited about it.

(laughs)
I think she'd love it.

O-Okay.

All right. I love you, Mom.

All right.
Bye.

My mom wouldn't say

for sure if
she was gonna come

to the fashion show.

Her being there
and being able to see

that I'm happy with who I am

would mean a lot to me.

* Mm, hey, hey, hey

* Hey, you,
in that suit and tie *

* Walking down the boulevard

* Head held high
* High *

* Try to keep up.

(phone ringing)

Hello.

CECE:
Oh, my God, Al.

How are you?

I'm all right. I'm doing good.

I'm on my way to the office

and I randomly get
a call from Al.

CECE: After the big fight,
Al and I actually bonded.

And I told him,

"Call me whenever
you need anything."

What?

Do you want to tell me
the surprise?

I'm kind of excited.

CECE: Oh, my God.
How long have you guys

been together?

CECE:
Wait, was there an actual
wedding when you got married?

And this is amazing.
She's always wanted a ring.

She never had one.

He's really doing everything
to save this marriage

and make it work.

Maybe he's turned a corner.

My lips are sealed.

I'll definitely
help you plan it.

We have to help
Al pull this off

before Dominique
heads back to New York.

I'll help with the wedding.

The marriage is yours.

(laughs)

*

Hello.
Hi, baby doll.

How are you?
Doing good and you?

Good to see you again.
Mwah. Welcome.

Are you excited
for today?

Scared excited.

You're gonna do great.

Um, so I'm gonna send you
to hair and makeup.

Okay. Um...
And they're
gonna beautify you.

Usually with shoots,

I kind of wing it on the spot

but Spiegel is this huge

mainstream magazine
and I'm gonna be

the first transgender person

in their entire catalog.

I've honestly never really

in my life felt all this kind
of pressure on my shoulders.

All right love, are we ready?

Give me everything you got.

*

RICHARD: I like the
movement of the body,

but don't over
exaggerate it.

Just be very mindful,

you're making faces
when you're moving.

It's distracting
from the clothing.

PHOTOGRAPHER:
Three, two and one.
Same face problem.

And one.
Delete that.

Let's try that again.
Three, two and one.

RICHARD:
Sweetie, I want you
to come have a look.

So we've gotten
about 40 captures so far.

I still don't have
a clean shot.

It'd be nice if we could get
just one clean shot

where your face is relaxed.
Okay.

PHOTOGRAPHER: All right,
love. Give it to me.

Show me what you got.
RICHARD:
In the most beautiful way.

Three, two and one.
All right, okay.

Keep your eyes on the barrel
of, uh, my camera.

Three, two, and one.

RICHARD:
Mm. Same problem.

REN:
He's not getting
anything good out of me.

It's freaking me out,
to be honest.

I've never really done
a bad job before.

This one? Yeah. All right, I'm
gonna give you that sweetie pie.

REN:
It's frustrating
trying to imitate

the poses that they want,
but at the same time,

everything that you seem
to be doing is wrong.

After this next look,
if she can't relax,

we're gonna lose an entire day.

You're gonna to move?
My mom needs me.

Mama's boys
don't get married.

They already have
a woman in their life.

RICHARD: I'm not happy
with those shots.

Oh, my God.

* Turn it up, yeah

ISIS:
Hey.

CECE: How are you?
I'm hungry.

(chuckling):
You're supposed to be hungry.

So me, Dominique and Arisce,

none of us booked Spiegel.

It's just scary because

I barely booked any job
since moving to L.A.

and I've got bills to pay.

I had a casting.

Oh, how did it go?
Didn't get it...

Any good news for me?

I'm excited because
Cece got me this go-see

for Michael Costello.

He's one of the biggest
designers right now,

and I'm gonna eat this runway
up and show Michael Costello

what I'm made of.

Now, Isis is 5'7", so...

don't think runway's
gonna be her strong point.

But you know, she's gorgeous.
Mm-hmm.

She has a lot of potential.
Let's see what she can do.

This is an important day
because, you know,

this is for
New York Fashion Week.

I know the importance
of this job

for Isis, and I really,

really want her to get it.

In order for you to get
all the print stuff,

you have to be seen...
at Fashion Week. And if you

don't make it to Fashion Week,
nobody knows you exist.

Michael Costello
has one of the largest shows

during New York Fashion Week.

Some girls are born for print,

and some girls are just
born for the runway.
Yeah.

But you know...

people change.
Yeah.

All right, well, I'm gonna
let you go so you can focus.

(quietly):
Bye.

He's a huge deal, and...

I want to be a part of that.

I want to be
a Michael Costello girl.

*

This is a nice park.
I don't hate it.

(laughs)
I don't hate it...

Oh, so you don't hate everything
New York now. That's great.

I don't hate everything
New York.

LAITH:
I didn't think I would ever

be open to
a relationship ever again.

When I was transitioning,
I was in my own head

and I was uncomfortable
with my body.

With Arisce, it feels natural.

We talk about everything.
Our dreams, our fears,

what we want out of life.

Hosting and things like that,

what does that mean
for your career, like,

do you want to just
continue doing that?

Or do you still want to model?

Hosting is... the next
chapter, I think, in my life.

I get to actually
use my personality.

ARISCE:
Since I'm clearly not
getting big campaigns

I really want to do TV.

It's not easy.

Uh...

While chasing...

ooh,
it says "well chasing."

Uh, sorry.

I think you just
got to practice more.

I want to be the person that
I wished I saw on TV as a kid.

Mm-hmm.
You know, because
there's so many people

that aren't being represented.

I learned this at like 14.

I never really hid who I was,

so with that
came a lot of, like,

scrutiny from
classmates and peers

and, like, getting made
fun of and talked about,

and it was really hurtful, and
I remember I came home one day,

and this is where, like,
it was, like, my turning point.

I said, "Mom."
I said, "Everyone

"at school, like, is,
like, really mean to me.

Like, I'm, like, a leper."

And she goes,
"Honey, they believe

"what you want them to believe.

"If you act like you're cool,

"they'll think you're cool.

"So just stop giving a sh--

about what they think."

It was like "ding."

(chuckles)
And I said, "Really?"
She goes, "Yeah."

She goes, "You're gonna
have to be a bitch

the rest of your life if
you want to get your way."

I have been a bitch ever since.

(chuckling): Okay.
Because I don't have to care
about what people think.

I don't have to
dress a certain way.

I don't have to hold
myself a certain way.

And that's what
I think I stand for

and that's what
I want to see on TV.

LAITH:
What inspires me
about Arisce is that

she always goes after
what she wants.

I can definitely learn
a thing or two from that.

So what do you want to do?

You gonna move?

I want to... I'm not sure
if I want to stay here.

I do want to see
what it's like in L.A.

But it's really complicated,
because my mom needs me,

so I almost have to pick
one side over the other.

LAITH: New York
has always been home and...

I live with my mom because,
uh, we're a Latin family,

and usually
you don't really move out

(chuckling):
until you're in your late 20s.

So my mom is pulling me in New
York and Arisce is saying,

"You should come to L.A." But I
don't want to make a decision

based on...
on other people, either.

I want to do what's best for me.

You know, I just don't want you
to fall back on this excuse of,

like "Oh, you know, I...

don't want to leave" because
you want to help your mom.

You learn to let go.
You cut the cord,
Yeah.

and then you just
have a new cord.

It's called a phone.
(laughing)

ARISCE:
I've told him

that I don't do
long-distance relationships,

because they haven't
worked in the past.

I'm a Hollywood girl.

So if he wants it to work,
he has to come to Hollywood.

You can grow better

if you get out of your comfort
zone. You'll be happier.

ARISCE:
If Laith ultimately
doesn't move to L.A.,

there is no relationship.

It's either he moves or I'm out.

It's why mama's boys
don't get married.

(chuckles)
They already have
a woman in their life

and no one wants to
compete with that sh--.

*

Okay, so...

I knew you were gonna
come to my side.

(scoff, laughs)
Please, these are white dresses.

Are you getting married?
God no.

So Al calls,
and he needs my help

to renew his vows
with Dominique.

I have this brilliant plan

and I need the strongest help
I can get.

You're not gonna believe
what's happened.
What?

Al got Dominique a ring.

Really?
Yeah!

And he wants

to give Dominique
a surprise wedding.

Okay.

Listen, I know you have
your reservations about Al.

I get that.
I just felt like...

he was trying to keep Dominique,
you know, his.

He wanted her to cook
meatloaf every night.

That's not Dominique.

She belongs in gowns.

CASSANDRA:
When I first hear about it,

I'm definitely not

gung-ho.

I'm thinking like,

"What?"

But the reality
of the situation is Al

is telling the world
that this is the woman he loves.

This is something

that I think is gonna be
so incredible for her.

I mean it's actually
kind of sweet.
Yeah.

So you're going to have to help
me put together this wedding,

because Dominique has no idea.

Right.
We have to find a dress,

and your primary job
is to keep Dominique in L.A.

Okay.
You live with her.

You know how she's
been wanting to leave.

I know, but how
am I supposed to do that?

I mean she...

she misses her dog.
She misses her husband.

Dominique loves Al
but she wants her career

and she's afraid
that she's gonna lose him.

I think I can come up
with something.

Whatever the plan is,
I don't really care right now.

Just don't screw
this up for her.
I won't.

I love Dominique and I do think
this is gonna be beautiful.

Just keep her here, okay?
That's what's important.

I can do this.

*

PHOTOGRAPHER:
Three, two, one.

All right, your arm
is blocking the pants.

REN:
I'm not really used to this

catalog direction.

What they're telling me to do

is what I'm usually
not used to doing.

PHOTOGRAPHER: You want
to make sure that your hand

is not completely
covering the product,

RICHARD:
And keep smiling.

I need you to look
beautiful and happy.

But your-your face is not
in complete control.

Losing it with the face.

Every photo she's taking,

it's so serious-looking.

Seems like everything
that I do is wrong.

PHOTOGRAPHER:
Okay, you're arching your back
a little bit too much.

(sighing):
Oh my God.

Let's move away
from the action shots

'cause this is not working.

All right, we'll have
you change really quick.

This is turning out to be kind
of a little bit of a nightmare.

You feel okay?

Mm-hmm.
Okay.

I'm starting to realize,
I guess, I don't really know

that much about modeling.

So, sweetheart, you can eat now,
relax a little bit.

You know, like, get your mojo
back up and running.

I'll be right back.

(phone ringing)

CECE:
Hello?

Hi, Cece,
it's Richard at Spiegel.

Um, I have some problems
at the photo shoot.

What's going on?

I'm afraid that she's-she's
psyching herself out too much

and she's just too much
in her head.

I'm really surprised.

I apologize.

I'm gonna try one more set
and see if we're able to get

something that is manageable.

But to be frank, if not,

and I only have two options,

because I'm spending thousands
of dollars on a location,

I can either shut it down
and cut my losses,

or I can replace her
with another model.

I'm going back to New York.
Sh--!

I wasn't supposed
to tell you, but...

Sometimes I have to
bend the truth.

REN: I see Arisce
talking to Richard.

And I'm not really sure
what's going on but...

*

CECE:
Hello.

Hi, Cece,
it's Richard at Spiegel.

Um, I have some problems
at the photo shoot.

I'm gonna try one more set
and see if we're able to get

something that is manageable.

But to be frank, if not,

I can either shut it down
all together

or I can replace her
with another model.

If you have someone in New York,
I'd love to talk about that.

Otherwise I might have
to call another agency.

Ren is not delivering the goods.

I do not want to lose
the biggest client

that Slay has ever had.

Okay, so just keep her,
you know, on standby

because I seriously
may need her.
Yeah, yeah, please.

(phone buzzing)

Hello?

CECE:
What's happening?

Talk to me because
the client just called me

and they're not happy.
I don't know.

I guess it's...
What do you mean you don't know?

What do you mean?
Talk to me please.
I don't know, just,

I guess this is, like,
different type of...

shooting that I haven't
really done before.

They're going to give you
one more shot at this.

Get your sh-- together,
'cause if you don't,

they're basically
going to fire you.

I'm trying to
get it together, okay?

I know you can do this.

And I know you have it in you.

This is nothing.

You can do this.

Don't think about
all the other noise.

Okay.

Okay, bye-bye.

*

* You must be naughty

* You're acting naughty

That's good right?
Insane.

Yeah, I am still a model.

Maybe when I turn 50,

I'll start eating
stuff like that.

(both laugh)

So, what's going on?
What's-what's up with you?

You seem stressed.

I...

just have absolutely
no idea what is going on

with my husband.
It's like,

I call, the phone
just goes to voice mail.

And I'm here,

and... I honestly think
I need to go back home.

No!

Sh--!

So Cece told me

that my job is to keep
Dominique here in L.A.

because Al is coming.

If there's one thing

I can do, is I can manipulate
the hell out of a situation

to make it go my way.

Dominique, Dominique,
think about it.

Honey, you've been
waiting your whole life

for this all to happen
and it's happening now.

You got to stay here.
Cassandra...

Everyone at the agency
completely looks up to you.

You've set the standard
for poise and beauty.

I've made my decision.

I am going back to New York.
We need you.

And he's a grown man.

Yeah, he's a grown man
that's a part of my life.

Please just see this
through a couple more weeks.

I'm going back to New York.

I am freaking out.

What am I gonna do?

Of course I...

come up with a little white lie.

I wasn't supposed to tell you

till the whole
thing was finalized.

You got the bridal
commercial.

Okay, a big one.

You got it, sister.

You got it,

and you're gonna rock it.

(laughing):
Okay.

It's a done deal.

Last week Dominique
went on a go-see

for a bridal commercial.

Oh, she really wants it.

We haven't heard
who got the job yet,

but Dominique
doesn't know that.

I'm super excited
that I got her to stay.

But Cece

is probably gonna be mad at me.

Now all I have to do is create
a fake wedding commercial.

Everything you want
is going to happen.

(laughing):
Oh, my God!

* We gonna rise above

* Onto brighter days

MICHAEL COSTELLO:
Now, Isis is 5'7",

so don't think runway's
gonna be her strong point.

How are you guys?

Good, how are you?

Good.

I've always loved
Michael Costello.

I followed his career
since the beginning.

You better believe

I'm gonna walk my ass off

and show you that I'm here.

So this is your
current book, right?

Yes.

How tall are you?

I am 5'8".

And what size do you wear
in a shoe?

9 1/2.

I would love to see you walk.

Of course.

*

ISIS:
They want to make sure

you have the ability to

own the outfit.
(whispers):
So good.

So good.
XIXI YANG:
She's good.

COSTELLO:
See, that's a walk.

YANG: Mm-hmm.
COSTELLO: That's incredible.

That's want we want to see.
You have it.

If we were to book you

for the Michael Costello Show,
New York Fashion Week,

what would that opportunity
mean to you?
It would mean a lot because

obviously you're one of
the hottest designers,

so why wouldn't I want
to be on your runway?

Hey!
Yes!

ISIS: And you always
have beautiful woman

on your runway with great
walks and great structure,

and I feel like the new
Michael Costello girl,

and I want to be
one of those women.

Yes, well, Isis...

...welcome to the show,
we're booking you

for this runway show.
(whoops)

Thank you.

*

YANG:
Ooh, ow!

So exciting. All right.

ISIS:
The fact that I'm going to be

a Michael Costello girl
is epic.

I get to walk beside
all those tall models

and show them, like,

this is Isis King,

aka the Kate Moss
of the trans models.

*

All right, here we go.

Hey, girl, hey!

How you doing?
Hi, Cece told me to stop by.

So I get a call from Cece,
and he's saying

Ren is bombing.

How's it going?
I have two hours remaining

and we've only shot
four or five looks

of the 20 that are here.

Ugh!

And if we can't get some usable
images soon, I might ask you

to step in and
pick her up for us.

Whoo, oh, goodness.
Okay.

PHOTOGRAPHER : That's Spiegel
right there.
RICHARD: She's getting better.

When I saw Arisce there,

I was partially
confused at first,

but it gave me a little bit of
inspiration to try even harder

'cause now I've got

the sense they watching me.

WOMAN: Perfect,
now a little bit more...

PHOTOGRAPHER: Oh, stay right
there. Stay right there.
WOMAN: Stay right there.

ARISCE:
I want Ren to do well.

But if Ren can't deliver,
I'm automatically

catapulted up there
with Christie Brinkley

and Naomi Campbell,

with these models
that have been in Spiegel.

And I'd be the first trans one.

It's huge.
Like, let's be real here.

That's pretty.

PHOTOGRAPHER:
Gorgeous, darling, gorgeous.

Do you want to move on now?
Yeah.

You're good honey, you're good.
REN:
I'm feeling much more

relaxed now, I'm starting
to get the hang of it.

But I see Arisce
talking to Richard.

I'm not really sure
what's going on.

But I can probably
take a guess.

Hey, Erica, so we basically
have to make a determination

at this point if we want
to keep shooting with Ren

or if we want to move on
to this girl, Arisce.

ERICA:
Uh, is that a little better?

We're gonna find out.

ARISCE:
Is your mom coming?
We'll see.

*

So, we basically have to make a
determination at this point

if we want to keep
shooting with Ren

or if we want to move on
to Arisce.
ERICA: Uh...

RICHARD:
She's getting better,

but I'm worried that by the time
we end this shoot

we're not gonna have
anything I can use.

REN: This is kind of the
craziest moment of my life.

They're deciding right
now my fate.

Are they gonna keep going

with me or swap me out

for Arisce?

I think we should move on
don't you? Yeah.
I-I do.

All right, moving on?

Moving on.

How you doing, dear? So,
I'm gonna have to switch gears.

It's understandable.
It's not my first time to have
to switch a model.

Um, but I'm proud
that you tried.

We just needed to move
at a faster pace.

All right, thank you, honey.

Okay.

REN:
I'm definitely disappointed.

And this was biggest
opportunity, and I just blew it.

I guess I can't really
just show up anymore

and expect everything
to go great.

These are the big leagues.

Do good or get replaced.

Hey, Kelsey, can you
bring Arisce over?

You want to take center stage
and see what

we can do with you?

All right, here we go.

*

Gorgeous!

WOMAN:
Amazing!

REN:
When Arisce starts
taking the pictures,

at first there's
that feeling

of I f---ed up.

But at the same time,
I am fully enveloped

in staring at her and seeing,

what is she doing
that I need to do?

This is good.

REN:
There's a reason why Arisce

is bigger and better
than I am.

All right,
this looks fantastic.

It's a skill I need to learn.

PHOTOGRAPHER: How are
these looking, love?

They're looking good.
They're great.

WOMAN:
I love that.

ARISCE: I've wanted
to do this since I was

about 14 years old.

I've worked really hard
and I earned my way here.

RICHARD: That's great. Done.
WOMAN: That looked great.

I mean, look at that.
That was beautiful.

ARISCE:
It just takes experience and

hard work does pay off.

That is sexy!

RICHARD:
See what these look like.

That's great. Done.
They look great.

RICHARD:
I even love the shadow.

ARISCE:
It feels unbelievable.

Like, of course, it's me,
but I can't believe it's me.

(laughs)

Thank you so much!

I am very proud to be the first
transgender face of Spiegel.

It's huge.

I literally just made history
in one fell swoop.

And you're gonna have to
come back and do it again.

Uh, I would love to.

Next stop Target.
Next stop Victoria's Secret.

Thank you.
You rock baby, you rock.

Work.
(laughs)

RICHARD:
So we're gonna take
a group shot of everybody.

* Just a friend
that's gonna love again. *

*

CASSANDRA:
Have you ever had sex
in this car?

No, I'm not like that.

I'm completely nervous.

I got Dominique to stay,

but I'm a little worried
how Cece's

gonna react once he finds out
how I did it.

So I have some
really good news.

Okay.

I got Dominique to stay.

She's staying in L.A.

Good job.
Yes.

CASSANDRA:
I did have to tell a little

teeny-weeny
white lie.

I told her that she got
the bridal commercial.

Oh, my God.

You are going to give me
a heart attack, like...

It was either lying to her about
the commercial or tying her up.

What other choice did I have?

CECE:
Oh, my God, Cassandra, how are
you going to make this work?

I know that
this has the appearance

of being a nightmare.

But, listen,
it's all planned out.

Think about it.

She's gonna be
dressed up.

She'll be thinking we're
shooting a commercial,

and all of a sudden,

here's Al,
who's gonna pop up.

This actually might be genius.

Exactly.

You just have to pull
this off properly.

Mission accomplished.

CECE:
Oh, my God.

I don't know
why I'm buying into this.

*

REN:
I'm feeling disappointed

about losing the Spiegel job
to Arisce.

I feel like I let Cece down.

Not really looking forward
to facing Cece that much.

But... what you gonna do?

*

* I got to make,
make, make it count... *

WOMAN: All right,
this is a make-up for--

LAITH:
This is New York Fashion Week.

It's a big deal.
I'm super nervous.

A lot more nervous
than I thought I would be.

*

I invited my mom
to go see me in action.

To have her being supportive,
to have her at an event

that I'm in,
it's a huge deal.

That's her accepting
my gender identity.

(indistinct chatter)

It was crazy in there.
It's, like, ridiculous.

ARISCE:
Is your mom coming?

Well, I haven't seen her yet,
but I really hope she makes it.

She's usually on time
for church, but I don't know.

If she doesn't want
to be here she probably...

If she shows up,
she's acting out of love

and if she doesn't,
she's acting out of fear.

This is not what
she's used to doing.

Well, considering that
this is an old church...

(laughing)
Maybe she'll--

...I'm thinking
she'll show up.

We'll see.

It's crowded, it's hot,
I'm more than nervous.

I don't know if my mom's here.

If my mom shows up,

I am going to introduce
my mom to-to Arisce.

Is there a shirt
that goes with this or no?

The show is about to start

and I don't see
my mom out there.

It looks like

she isn't coming.

I would get married in this.

We're actually pulling
this off right now.

Oh, my God,
that looks horrible!

CECE: Last night,
I found out something that

*

LAITH: The show's about
to start, but it looks

like my mom isn't coming.

But I have a job to do.

I can't let it get to me.

MAN:
Go, go, go.

*

LAITH:
It's a big deal
for me and Arisce

to be walking in Fashion Week,

but my mom being there
and being able to see that,

it would be a dream come true.

*

(applause)

ARISCE:
I can tell Laith is
stressing out about his mom,

because she's pretty good
at not showing up.

Is your mom coming?
Uh, I don't know.

I didn't see my mom
in the audience

'cause I was just, I was focused
on walking down the runway.

Ma?

Hi.
(laughs)

*

Oh...

there you are.

I'm just really happy
to see my mom.

If she hadn't shown up,

I feel like
I would've been okay,

but this is definitely

a hell of a lot better.

Yeah.

Yeah, thank you...

(both laughing)

This is Arisce, this is one
of the girls on the, on the...

Arisce doesn't like
to meet parents,

but her doing this,
it means a lot.

I love your shoes.
Oh, thanks.

Those are fantastic.

Laith's mom's being
super supportive.

You can see there's
a lot of love there.

LAITH:
My mom just called me her son.

I can't believe it.

Wow, this is amazing.

It's so nice to meet you.
Yeah.

ARISCE:
Laith's mom did
exactly what I expected

her to and that is fall
in love with me.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, she's really sweet.

It means a lot to me
that you come to support.

Oh.

I-I know you do.

It's a huge step
for our relationship.

And she was saying
such nice things.

This is more growth
than I ever

anticipated at all and then

she can be more comfortable
with me being who I am.

But come on,
Ma, let's go.

*

Thanks for coming.

This is the first time
I'm seeing Ren

after the Spiegel debacle.

I was really upset

about Ren losing this job.

But then I find out
something more alarming.

Something from her past
that may ruin her career.

I feel like ever since
you got back from New York,

you kind of have been
avoiding me.

Let's be real.

What happened with Spiegel,

so it happens

in life,

in this industry.

You're always replaceable.

I feel like there's
something more

that we haven't
really talked about.

So I've been told...

...that there are explicit
videos of you out there.

It just got
really bright outside.

I'm sorry
I didn't want to tell you.

You know, it was when I...

was early transitioning.

Trying to make it
on my own and...

I decided
I wasn't going back

to being homeless.
(sniffles)

(sniffs)

I guess I just thought

nothing else was really
gonna come out of my life.

(sniffs)

So... who gives a fu--
about the future

if I can survive now?

I have no family,

no friends...

no nothing going for me.

There's a point where I just
want to lay down somewhere

and just hope I don't wake up.

CECE:
It makes sense now.

I understand why

there's a certain
tentativeness about Ren.

I really feel like this is
what's holding Ren back.

First, I want you to know,

as your friend,
I'm not going anywhere.

But I don't know why
you wouldn't tell me.

I understand you had to do
what you had to do.

A lot of trans people
have to do it, too.

And if people can't forgive

the reality of what
trans people go through,

that's on them.

But the truth is, Ren,

if I'm gonna be honest,
I don't know...

where we go from here.

There are just some things
that maybe out of reach now.

But I just need to go

and do some damage control
here because...

it's out there.

And all the things that
we wanted, like Spiegel,

like Target,

Macy's and all of that,

they may not bite.

* You make me

* Come alive

* You make me come alive.

We need to get
this stuff going.

Dear God,
the big day is finally here.

I'm down here

trying to put together
this wedding

and Cece's up there trying to

get her ready for the
fake wedding commercial.

Let's make sure
it looks really good.
I don't know.

Ren is sitting there looking
like Wednesday Adams.

Here.
I'm not good at this stuff.

No, we're just gonna make it
pretty. It's more the sentiment.

Oh, look!
Look who's coming.

(laughing):
We need help.

Oh, now you're here.
It looks fine.

I was invited as a guest
to this wedding.

I'm not into manual labor.

Oh, my God, that looks horrible.

The dress is gorgeous.

It is.
I know right?

I never really had
a real wedding.

Getting into the beautiful gown

is really bittersweet for me.

CECE: You look amazing.
But how do you feel in this?

This is gorgeous.

I would get married in this.

Would you?
Yeah, I would.

We're actually pulling
this off right now.

Dominique thinks that she's
actually in a commercial

for a bridal shoot.

Ready?
I-I'm...
(laughs)

*

DOMINIQUE: You know I
like stuff like this right?

I know.

ISIS:
You nervous?

Aw.

*

Here she comes.

Where's the set?

ISIS: She looks like an angel
from back here.

I'm gonna cry.

DOMINIQUE:
Where are the lights?

ISIS:
Okay, guys, be ready.

Where's the camera guy?

(Cece laughs)

Um...

What the hell?

*

(laughs)
Um...

Wait, y'all...
(Cece and Cassandra laugh)

What-- wait, wait, what is...

That's Al.

What the hell?
CASSANDRA: You're getting
married, baby girl.

Take a breath.

I can't believe
you guys did this.

All yours.

Please be seated.

Are you ready?

We're ready.

Do you vow to stand by Dominique

and to support her
dreams and passions?

Yes, to the fullest.

Dominique?

Do you vow to do your best

to live in happiness
next to him?

I always have and always will.

BRUNE-HORAN:
Would you please place the ring

on her left ring finger?

Repeat after me.

I give you this ring

to wear with love and joy.

(chuckles)

I give you this ring

to wear

with love and joy.

I choose you to be my wife,

this day and every day.

I choose you to be my wife,

this day and every day.

I give you this ring.

I choose you to be my husband,

this day and forever more.

I now proclaim you

both remarried.

Kiss your bride.
Ha.

(cheering and applause)

(moaning)

Let's celebrate.
(chuckles)

(laughs)

DOMINIQUE:
I's married now.

(laughter)

(cheering and applause)

I left my safe space.

Decided to embark
on an adventure,

and to top it all off,

the man that I gave
18 years of my life to,

finally decides to show me
how much he cares.

I waited so long for this.

(screaming and laughter)

CECE:
Wow, she really wants it.

And I didn't even
drop my sandwich.
You're all crazy.

CECE:
Yes!

ISIS: Dominique is a
great woman and I was

very inspired to continue
to be optimistic

about finding the right person.

I'm ready for the next chapter.

Nothing can stop me
at this point.

And I'm here.

CECE:
I want you to know

you're still that girl,

who out of 485
applications, I chose one.

REN:
I've gone through a lot

in the past year.

Hopefully losing Spiegel,

and everything
kind of in my past,

won't keep from my future
as a model.

There's so much
room for improvement.

You know what?
Learn from this,

and we'll still get
to the top together.

Hopefully.

LAITH:
Well, I'm really happy

for Dom and Al.

That was a really nice ceremony.

That was cute.

I am really thinking
about actually staying--

like moving out here.
I love L.A.

Look at the sunset.
You're missing it.

LAITH:
I think it's about

that time I left the nest.

I've been there way too long.

And see where things go
with my career, with Slay,

and with Arisce.
ARISCE: I'm excited for Laith
to move here.

I'd like to try this out.

I just hope for more growth.

Like, I hope for me to grow.

Leave your heart open
and love will find it's way in.

Can we work out

a plan where I can

be with my husband

and it doesn't conflict?

Well, here's the thing.

There's Slay L.A.

Why not have Slay New York?

What?

CECE:
I really feel like

I have broken the boundaries

that I've set out to.

However, I want more for Slay.

I want Slay New York.

I want Slay Milan.

I want Slay Paris.
I want it all.

* I

(cheering)

Cake, cake, cake!

ALL:
Cake, cake!

(laughs)

(all talking indistinctly)

(woman whoops)

ALL:
Oh!

(chuckles)

Congratulations.

So, I love each and
every one of you.

You've changed my life.

To Slay.
Yes.

Yes!
(all cheering and clapping)

(whoops)

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

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

Did you see that?
That was incredible.

Amazing.
I love this.