ABOVE: Valentina Sampaio. (Photo courtesy @SI_Swimsuit Twitter account)
Openly-transgender model Valentina Sampaio made history for trans visibility by becoming the first trans model to be featured in Sports Illustrated’s 2020 Swimsuit Issue.
Sampaio has been chosen as one of the eight Swimsuit Rookies for 2020, a distinction that highlights up-and-coming models. She recognizes the significance of this milestone in her career and is grateful to be receiving the opportunity. She also commends Sports Illustrated for highlighting the diversity of women through the magazine’s selection of models.
“I am excited and honored to be part of the iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue,” Sampaio wrote in an Instagram post. “The team at SI has created yet another groundbreaking issue by bringing together a diverse set of multitalented, beautiful women in a creative and dignified way.”
This is not the first time Sampaio has made waves in the world of modeling. She was also the first trans model to be cast by the beauty brand Victoria’s Secret in 2019.
These achievements serve as a stark contrast to Sampaio’s cultural upbringing and initial journey within the modeling industry.
Sampaio originates from “a remote, humble fishing village in northern Brazil.” The Latin American country has a history of violence toward the transgender community, a reality that Sampaio pointed out.
“Brazil is a beautiful country, but it also hosts the highest number of violent crimes and murders against the trans community in the world — three times that of the U.S,” she wrote.
The model also had to learn how to navigate transphobia early on in her career and reflected on a painful experience in an interview with Sports Illustrated.
“[My most embarrassing moment was] [b]eing fired from my first professional modeling job on set minutes before shooting,” she told the magazine. “I was told that the client felt it was ‘inappropriate’ for me to represent the brand because my images would be included in a catalog ‘entering into family households.’ They made me feel as though it would be seen as immoral and scandalous for me to be a brand ambassador for them. It was heartbreaking for me on many levels as well as embarrassing because I had excitedly shared the happy news with my university friends and colleagues when the client first confirmed me for the job.”
Sampaio ultimately wants to be embraced for her authentic self, as well be able to have a larger impact on the world around her.
“[I wish] [t]o be seen for the person and woman that I am[,] while living a meaningful life that makes a positive impact in the world beyond my individual self,” she said.
“I feel strong, and I feel inspired to fight, not just for me but for everyone that I represent.” – SI Swimsuit 2020 rookie Valentina Sampaio https://t.co/CJCrL0qb4E pic.twitter.com/0F0h6eXXeY
— Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@SI_Swimsuit) July 10, 2020
Apart from modeling, Sampaio would also love to enter the film industry and create a film “that truly inspires people of all persuasions to see and feel what unifies them all as humans.” She also has the aspiration of delivering a speech at the United Nations someday.
If Sampaio could go back to her adolescence and give a message to her younger self, she would encourage herself to embrace her trans identity.
“[I would tell her] [t]o be strong and mature,” she said. “To understand that there are situations that will be especially challenging because I don’t yet have the life experience to handle them with ease. To not feel ‘wrong’ for being who I was born as. To not feel shame or fear for being trans.”
