Trans model and actress Leyna Bloom made headlines last year after launching a Twitter campaign to become the first trans model of color to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Although the goal of working with Victoria’s Secret didn’t come to fruition, Bloom has gotten another chance to model lingerie, but this time as the face of the inclusive brand Playful Promises.
“The universe set it up and here we are now. It’s been amazing working with a brand that has the courage to be disruptive, to challenge societal norms and to uplift communities that don’t have much support,” she tells Stylish.
Although Bloom views negative comments and adversity she’s faced as experiences that made her stronger, she has since shifted her dreams away from a particular set of wings. “That goal is 10 feet underground and it is dead to me,” she explains. “There are many more opportunities that are waiting for me and opportunities that will open doors for other people whose values are parallel to mine. I’m interested in working with brands that are truly inclusive, not brands that decide to later on be inclusive because it’s commercially trendy.”
Besides wanting to align herself with companies like Playful Promises, which is founded on the message of gender and size inclusivity, Bloom is an expert for all things lingerie and beauty. Some of her key tips: “Always make sure you have lingerie in black, nude and white. No matter the situation, they will never let you down,” she says.
“I stay hydrated, use a great moisturizer for my hair, face and body and love to watch a great documentary about space travel. … I feel my sexiest when I’m in my most natural state and when I can reflect on where I came from, where I’m at and where I’m going.”
As for her future, Bloom says she hopes to continue to inspire people. “A five year goal of mine is to open a high school for trans-youth to educate them, to center them and to prepare them for the world, so that they can be the leaders of the future. … I feel my most powerful when I’m speaking up for people who do not have the voice to do so and when I can pay tribute to the people who have paved the way for me to speak up,” she explains.
